In this article I want to talk about developing relationships with joint venture partners/mentors. It is very important if you are looking to learn from high, world-class mentors, and work with them in joint venture projects. These are some low-cost - actually zero cost - ways to develop relationships with these types of people.
Number one, write this down, circle it, underline it, and highlight it. Participate. Write that word down. Participate when given an opportunity.
I could have been a fly on the wall when I first started, nobody knew who I was. It was at the John Childers' Million Dollar Speaker Training where John taught me a key lesson in business. He said, "It's not what you know or who you know. It's who knows you."
Get yourself known, that is what I'm trying to point out. You really have to take advantage of all the opportunities to 'participate' that your mentors and possible future joint venture partners will give you.
Here's an example. When they ask for feedback on various projects, or they have questions for their E-mail list, or something of that nature, give feedback. Ask questions. Provide insights. Participate in that whole experience. The more you participate, the more they get to know you. That's very crucial.
Here's another strategy, provide testimonials. A lot of people underestimate this tip, but it can make a big difference. When I say give testimonials, I don't mean "normal" testimonials either. What I mean is give the best testimonials you have given and send a picture of yourself that they can use.
Take it a step farther and send them testimonials when they don't even ask for it. Alex Mandossian taught me this strategy and I've had a lot of my testimonials put up on websites even when they weren't asking for them.
As I was looking around on websites when I first started I noticed that Alex Mandossian seemed to be on all of them giving a testimonial. How effective do you think this strategy was for him?
Later I found out that he was getting all kinds of leads sent to his website and to his business through the use of putting up testimonials on other people's websites. You've got to learn to give really good testimonials. Even give them when they are not asked for.
An example of a good testimonial is one that is specific and relevant to a measurable benefit.
A quick example of a good testimonial could be heard from a gentleman who was one of the winners of a testimonials contest for a recent teleseminar of mine. What was so good about it was that he made sure he included his name, where he was calling from and gave a specific benefit that he received from the teleseminar.
That is how you get your testimonials posted on other people's websites, and when they post your testimonial with your picture, there's a good chance they're going to post your website link as well, and that helps you generate traffic and advertising and all kinds of benefits.
Secondly, this will only help to develop your relationship with your mentors and hopefully future joint venture partners.
Another strategy is to participate in forums. A lot of people have their own forum or there is all different kinds of forums online on just about every topic.
Seek out forums that you want to participate in, doesn't matter if you're in that market or not. You can write about anything you really want in these forums - give lots of tips, resources, content. It is all about getting yourself known.
Reading people's newsletters and scouring them for important personal insights and details is another thing I want you to do.
Here is some ideas of the things you should be looking for. Birth dates, whether it is the person writing the newsletter, their wife, or kids. Keep a note of the birthdays and send them a happy birthday E-mail, card, or even an audio postcard.
Look for anniversary dates or to see if they're doing product launches. All kinds of things. Read their newsletters and scour for important and personal insights, and use those to build a relationship.
Another suggestion to help build those relationships with your mentors is to look to offer help to them. By just asking the simple question, is there is anything you can do to help them in your business, you will not believe the response you will get.
For example, if you know they have a big even for their business, like a seminar or product launch, you could offer to help specifically with that. By doing this they will know that you've been paying attention to their business. Also, you'll surprise them with your offer and you will stand out from the crowd for doing so.
What I've done in the past is I've sent information to my mentors that I thought would be of value to them. It is just another way to develop good relationships with these people. The tips and strategies I'm talking about are not difficult to do, but people rarely do them.
Some of the things that I do is send them information that might be of value, like articles that I may have found on the Web that they may be able to use or extract value from. Newspaper clippings. I've also found resources like web links or other resources. I also look for on-line and off-line tools and then I shoot them an email saying, "Hey, I think this might be of value to you."
However, when you send links NEVER include any affiliate links or anything like that. Just sending them information that would be of value to them.
Your focus is on building a relationship and providing value - not making a quick buck. They'll see right through that and you'll ruin any chance of a long-term relationship.
Those are all strategies that I've used and then I leverage those efforts in to all kinds of great relationships with all my mentors, and future joint venture partners. It's resulted in all kinds of projects with all these people. It's just amazing what will happen when you focus on building a foundation with all of these individuals.
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