Online Business Freedom

“What?” I asked the man in disbelief.

“I said, what can you do for me?” he asked again.

I was at a recent marketing seminar, talking to a gentleman about marketing and copywriting.

I told him about some of the work I had done and he told me about some of the projects he had in the works.

Suddenly, he asks me, “So what can you do for me?”

He said this with no hint of humor.

In fact he didn’t even crack a smile, so I knew he was being serious.

My stomach recoiled in revulsion and I immediately began backpedaling, emotionally, and physically.

I politely asked him for his card, thanked him for his time, and walked away.

Has this type of experience ever happened to you?

Honestly, it may seem like common sense, even common social courtesy to see how a relationship can benefit BOTH parties, but some people don’t think that way.

And it kills their networking and business opportunities.

Aside from reading Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” here are a few things to remember when approaching someone as a potential joint venture partner or someone you’d like to work with in the future.

1. What can you do for them…FIRST? (Getting your foot in the door…)

That’s right, the best way to get in someone’s good graces is to provide value first.

The cool thing about this strategy is that you don’t necessarily need to bring killer copywriting skills, a list of 100,000 subscribers, or an already established reputation in order to work with someone.

As Dr. Robert Cialidini notes in his book “Persuasion: The Psychology of Influence” (If you haven’t read this book yet, you might be the only one who hasn’t!) the Law of Reciprocation is powerful indeed.

If you can do something for someone first, as simple as writing them a testimonial about their product, introducing them to a friend, or even sending them the picture you took together when you met, it will kick off the relationship in the right direction.

Most people, especially well known marketers or business people are used to others trying to milk THEM for THEIR influence and power.

If you can flip this around and provide value FIRST, you will stand out as a rare GIVER, in an ocean of grasping hands.

2. What CAN you bring to the table? (Long term…)

So let’s get down to the brass tacks.

What can you do that will make life easier, bring more sales, or otherwise enrich the other person’s life?

Are you an expert in copywriting? Great!

Why not do a teleseminar, invite both your lists, and teach them how to create killer copy for their businesses?

Do you have a list of any size?

Having the names and email addresses of even a few hundred people (who match up with the target market of the other party) will make you a more desirable partner than if you had nothing.

Sure it’s not necessary, but it will greatly increase the chances of someone wanting to work with you.

Are you in a leadership position with a group or service organization?

You can use this as leverage, especially when you want to partner up with someone who is targeting the group you are leading.

The bottom line is, if you aren’t someone who brings massive value to the table, work on becoming that person.

Start writing copy, build a list, do SOMETHING to make yourself a more enticing person to do business with.

Relationships aren’t one way streets.

3. Don’t keep count

In a relationship, remember that you may give and give and give — to receive just once — or maybe never at all!

But that doesn’t matter.

If you are creating an Online Business for the long haul (which I hope you are) you will have plenty of time to call in your favors when the time is right.

Don’t rush your favors, or try and “collect” immediately — unless that’s when you need the help.

Be a GIVER, and soon enough, your partners will become FRIENDS.

And it’s infinitely easier to enlist the support of friends, rather than “business acquaintances”.

Hope this helps in starting long and profitable relationships.

-James D. Lee

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