| I read a news story recently that at a | | | | Review. This service, which I started |
| conference, studies showed that WOM (Word of | | | | putting together a year ago appeals to people |
| Mouth) Marketing is 5,000 times more | | | | just starting out and need help with getting |
| effective than advertising. This doesn't | | | | their product, service or web site launched |
| mean that everyone starting a business should | | | | and promoted. It also helps affiliate |
| go back to the days of inviting your | | | | marketers find other affiliate marketers with |
| neighbors and family over for a circle | | | | similar, yet complimentary products to |
| drawing presentation to explain the benefits | | | | partner up with. The benefit of the system |
| of getting involved in their venture, but the | | | | is not only the joint venture aspect of |
| studies were very interesting: | | | | marketing, but encompasses business start up |
| | | | tools, resources, tutorials, and a forum |
| In the studies conducted, they found that | | | | community where more than one business can |
| that people take action in 1 of 15,000 ads | | | | get together to form mutually beneficial |
| they view (be it T.V., newspaper, | | | | relationships, endorse each other to their |
| publications or online), while consumers take | | | | circles of influence, trade recommendations, |
| action in 1 of every three recommendations | | | | resources and more. Those with great ideas |
| they see as a result of Word of Mouth. This | | | | but don't know the first thing about web site |
| makes WOM 5,000 times more powerful than | | | | building or how to write an ad can agree to |
| conventional advertising. Why? | | | | partner with someone who does with an |
| | | | agreement to share the profits. There are |
| Business matchmaking is quickly beginning to | | | | endless examples of asset and skill sharing. |
| pick up in the U.S. but it's not a new | | | | |
| concept at all. It's been more widely and | | | | Matchmakingforbusiness.com, which has yet to |
| openly practiced in other countries, but | | | | launch, is owned by Joyce Swartz, who was a |
| until affiliate marketing made its appearance | | | | long time AOL forum owner with over 2 billion |
| with Amazon.com's profit sharing program, it | | | | in partnerships negotiated between major |
| wasn't fully appreciated until such public | | | | companies such as AT&T. Catering to slightly |
| success made this method of marketing so | | | | larger and more established businesses, her |
| visible. | | | | expertise in market sharing between |
| | | | businesses will still be a help to start ups. |
| Possible competitors began reaching out to | | | | |
| each other as they narrowed their niche | | | | Other more tightly-niched services, such as |
| markets, making behind-the-scenes-deals to | | | | Directory of Ezines, offers ad sharing |
| endorse each other. New business launches | | | | between publishers of online e-zines and |
| sought the client bases of complimentary | | | | newsletters to benefit the marketing side of |
| companies in exchange for a percentage of the | | | | business development. |
| profits . . . does any of this sound | | | | |
| familiar? | | | | Web hosting and web management tools across |
| | | | the web offer free services by allowing |
| Such heated competition in business over the | | | | customers earn by referring others to their |
| generations have resulted in the massive and | | | | services. |
| sometimes malignant growth of monstrous | | | | |
| corporate conglomerates at the deprivation of | | | | Affiliate marketers are learning to expand |
| smaller, more consumer friendly businesses. | | | | their customer base by sharing ad space or |
| However, partnering up is not just for the | | | | newsletter endorsements. |
| big brothers anymore. | | | | |
| | | | Not only does this benefit the bottom line, |
| Smaller businesses, startups and even sole | | | | but it is socially enriching and rewarding. |
| proprietorships out of the home of the owner | | | | Doing business especially online can be |
| are learning to leverage relationships with | | | | somewhat isolating. |
| other, more established small businesses. | | | | |
| This accomplishes many things for both | | | | Using business matchmaking also benefits the |
| partners, most apparent, a mutually | | | | consumer by making available information from |
| beneficial and profitable venture: The | | | | a trusted source that they might not |
| startup business receives endorsement and | | | | otherwise have benefited from. Because |
| access to a new client base, and the more | | | | companies want to keep their good |
| established business expands it's services | | | | relationship with their customers, will be |
| and profits by including and offering that of | | | | discriminate on who they recommend. This is |
| the startup business. They partner and both | | | | good for the consumer market in general. |
| profit while increasing consumer loyalty and | | | | |
| services. | | | | The best benefit of all is the ability for |
| | | | talented, hardworking people who have |
| Jumping on this growing marketing trend are | | | | fantastic ideas, but no budget to find a |
| now services that help businesses and start | | | | business partner or match that needs their |
| ups find beneficial partners . . . a dating | | | | fresh ideas. And they are readily accessible |
| and matchmaking services for businesses if | | | | online. The statement "In business for |
| you will. | | | | yourself, not by yourself" is true, if you |
| | | | just have confidence in your idea and seek |
| One such service which caters to start up | | | | the help you need. It's available, if you |
| companies, is Trinity Affiliate Marketing | | | | can find the right benefactor. |