The past year and a half, I have loved working alongside my fellow creatives and entrepreneurs in several different projects. It great to work with individuals who are passionate about their own skills and talents. Since I started my spokesmodel program and began planning styled shoots, I’ve had several questions about how to collaborate with others. It can definitely be a little daunting when you first start; so, I’m sharing a few easy-to-follow tips with you!

1. Find Someone with a Similar Target Market

   This is the first thing I think about before I reach out to a business or individual. Ask yourself “Do we have similar target markets?” If the answer is no, reconsider your partnership. You don’t want your proposal to only seem one sided. You want to make sure that this partnership will benefit both parties. For example, I would more likely partner with a women’s boutique as both of our main customer demographics are women ages 18-30. However, I would less likely collaborate with a plumbing manufacturer because our target markets are very different. While we might see a positive outcome from the collaboration, it could be much stronger by picking a company with a similar target.

2. Be Respectable + Professional

   When you propose your idea to the individual or business, be professional in your approach! Also understand that this might be a first to them as well, don’t assume they can read your thoughts. You must clearly explain your desirable outcomes. If you reach out to a company and they don’t respond, don’t harass or bug them. Also, make sure that your proposal is pleasing to both parties. You don’t have to sell yourself short, but make sure you’re not asking for a ton of free stuff for basically nothing in return.

3. Be Understanding

   Essentially, be polite. It’s okay if they say no. You can’t decide what they say, but you can decide how you respond. If they don’t respond to your messages, or it takes the company awhile to get back to you, be understanding. Expect for items to take longer than you plan, so be sure to add buffer time in your preparation schedule! Rude, snappy comments will not help things get done well. Choose your words wisely and be patient.

Hopefully, this helps you get started! Best of luck with all of your upcoming partnerships!
xoxo,

Here are a few photos from a few recent partnerships!