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Spark an Idea Thursday: Making New Business Allies
I’m taking part in the Sparkplugging Spark an Idea Thursday program and this weeks topic is Making New Business Allies.
I have two primary tools I use when trying to find new business allies – Twitter and Craigslist.
Twitter for Making New Business Allies
Using even the basic search tools, you can quickly and easily find people in specific geographic areas talking about the topics that interest you. Start following them, reach out and in many cases, they will respond and be more than happy to work with you. I have quickly and easily built a network of experts on a variety of topics including Wordpress, SEO, email marketing and even GIS mapping systems that I can ask for guidance easily.
Craigslist for Making New Business Allies
First, a disclaimer: you can get VERY specific with your post and it WILL be ignored by 50% of the people who respond. As an example, I was looking for an SEO person in Portland Oregon because I wanted someone I could meet in real life and establish a business relationship that way. At least 50% of the responses were outside the US, let alone in Portland.
I did, however, recieve a flood (and continue to do so) of highly qualified people responding to my post who are incredibly eager to build business relationships. I recommend posting under the “Gigs” section, which will also save you some money if you are in a market where Craigslist charges for job postings.
Related posts:
- Spark an Idea Thursday: Avoiding the Summer Slump
- 5 Predictions for Small Business Online Marketing in 2009
- Exceptional People
Comments
I just have to post about this, but this jogged my memory of the just released news with the CEO of Craigslist wanting for an apology from the AG of South Carolina. Always something different with Craigslist and things in the news.