Understanding List Building

List building is simply the efforts you use to create and grow an online customer base. Customers who agree to be put on a list provide an email address, or less often, a mailing address. This important contact can be invaluable when you want to promote special deals to return customers or offer your online customer list a first chance at a sale, etc.

Since an online customer list can be a great marketing tool for your JV, here are some great ways you can improve your list building efforts:

1. SEO – Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of making your JV website popular among major search engines. People are searching for your types of products and services every day, and they can find your website from a search result. A search engine might rank your website higher when you plant certain and pertinent keywords and phrases throughout your website. Use META tags to help search engines catalogue your site. Update regularly with blog posts or articles that use a reasonable density of important keywords (2% to 3% is the current targeted density). Top SEO ranking is essentially free marketing. Make sure your website can be found by search engines.

2. PPC – Another way to draw search engine traffic is by using pay per click (PPC). When you use PPC, you agree to pay a certain fee to a search engine every time an online user clicks your link. In return, the search engine puts your paid advertisement link at the top or beside search results where a search customer can easily see it.

3. Social Media – Use social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to gather “fans” and “followers” of your JV business. Your social media list can also become beneficiaries of special deals that you offer.

4. Free Download – When an online user visits your site, invite and entice them to sign up on your list in return for a free download. Giving something for free is a great way to convince people to give you their contact info. Make the free download something valuable, such as a buyer’s guide, a helpful article, or even an eBook with helpful advice.

5. Newsletter – Compose and send a regular newsletter to your list. At the beginning of each newsletter, you should invite the receiver to forward it on to others who they think could benefit from your newsletter or products. This is a great way to build your list from recommendations.

JV marketing takes many forms, and one of the most used forms is online marketing. Be sure you have a good strategy to build your online contact list so you can take advantage of return customers and recommendations.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

Many successful business people find they enjoy doing things their way. They made their success the solo route, and plan to continue success in the same way. However, there can be benefit in a JV for these types of business people as well.

Perhaps you found a potential joint venture partner with a great reputation and a wide network of contacts. This could be a great JV partner to have for your business. But what can you offer her? How can you convince her to join you?

Give Them What They Need

First, no potential JV partner will join you without having something in it for them. Your job, then, is to find out what they need and offer it to them through a JV. It may be a benefit such as more money, or even your renowned expertise on a particular business matter. It may even be something that solves a problem for them like tapping a completely unrelated industry market in which you happen to have an extensive database of contacts. Show them the benefits and then you have something to talk about.

Control the Risk

Business ventures always have some element of risk: losing money, hurting the reputation, losing customers, etc. In addition to highlighting the benefits to your potential JV partner, show him or her how you plan to minimize any risks in the venture.

Anyone can say, “This is a great idea!” But ideas are foolish if they are not analyzed for risks. Look at the famous Ford Edsel model of the late 1950s. The new automobile was a great idea to fill the gap between Ford’s lower price range cars and their upper, more luxurious Lincoln models. However, the risks were not controlled in design, manufacturing, or the marketing, and the car was a failure. With this in mind, show your potential JV partner how you can control and reduce risks.

Reduce Time and Effort

Running a small business is a full-time effort. So how could a potential partner have the time to give to your JV? Remember, JVs are a way to help two or more business owners make profit by combining efforts. Perhaps you can offer to do most of the legwork by using the partner’s database of customer contacts. That would reduce the time they are required to give. Or you could highlight your calculations that only 4 to 5 hours is needed each week to make the JV a success. Show them that they can make extra money through your JV with little time and effort.

A perfect JV partner is invaluable. Get out there and find yours. Then make a proposal that they can’t refuse that includes benefits for them, lowered risk, and little time and effort.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

Many successful business people find they enjoy doing things their way. They made their success the solo route, and plan to continue success in the same way. However, there can be benefit in a JV for these types of business people as well.

Perhaps you found a potential joint venture partner with a great reputation and a wide network of contacts. This could be a great JV partner to have for your business. But what can you offer her? How can you convince her to join you?

Give Them What They Need

First, no potential JV partner will join you without having something in it for them. Your job, then, is to find out what they need and offer it to them through a JV. It may be a benefit such as more money, or even your renowned expertise on a particular business matter. It may even be something that solves a problem for them like tapping a completely unrelated industry market in which you happen to have an extensive database of contacts. Show them the benefits and then you have something to talk about.

Control the Risk

Business ventures always have some element of risk: losing money, hurting the reputation, losing customers, etc. In addition to highlighting the benefits to your potential JV partner, show him or her how you plan to minimize any risks in the venture.

Anyone can say, “This is a great idea!” But ideas are foolish if they are not analyzed for risks. Look at the famous Ford Edsel model of the late 1950s. The new automobile was a great idea to fill the gap between Ford’s lower price range cars and their upper, more luxurious Lincoln models. However, the risks were not controlled in design, manufacturing, or the marketing, and the car was a failure. With this in mind, show your potential JV partner how you can control and reduce risks.

Reduce Time and Effort

Running a small business is a full-time effort. So how could a potential partner have the time to give to your JV? Remember, JVs are a way to help two or more business owners make profit by combining efforts. Perhaps you can offer to do most of the legwork by using the partner’s database of customer contacts. That would reduce the time they are required to give. Or you could highlight your calculations that only 4 to 5 hours is needed each week to make the JV a success. Show them that they can make extra money through your JV with little time and effort.

A perfect JV partner is invaluable. Get out there and find yours. Then make a proposal that they can’t refuse that includes benefits for them, lowered risk, and little time and effort.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

What is a JV Mentor?

A JV mentor is simply a coach, an individual who has experienced all the rewards and challenges. They are wise individuals who can offer great advice from their experience. They can help you find the right JV partner and form the strategies needed to make a JV a success on the first try.

Do JV mentors and coaches cost money? Most of them do, yes. But the money invested in a good mentor to learn how to avoid costly mistakes is money well spent. Here are some ways a JV mentor can help you:

•    CD & DVD Coaching – Many successful individuals who have made money through JVs have put together a training program via CD or even DVD video. Rather than work one-on-one with fewer people, their recorded training products offer advice to numerous entrepreneurs who want to improve their business through JVs. A recorded training system can offer helpful tips, great advice, and step-by-step guides to making your own successful JV.

However, be on the lookout for JV programs that are all fluff and no content. Conduct the research on your potential JV mentor first. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Make sure you are buying a product from a trustworthy and experienced individual before you plunk down hundreds of dollars for useless CDs.

•    One-on-One Training – Oftentimes a successful individual who has made their mark in the joint venture world will offer their services one-on-one to help mentor newcomers. These are organized individuals who may have formed a streamlined process for making a successful JV and want to share their knowledge and wisdom.

One-on-one mentors don’t usually offer full access to individuals. To do so would be extremely expensive. Rather, you could join in with a limited size group that meets for a few hours each week online or via phone to ask questions to the mentor. These group sessions can be very helpful and cost efficient since you don’t have to pay for all the mentor’s time yourself.

•    Government Assisted Mentoring – If you are an economically and social disadvantage individual who owns and controls a business, you may qualify for mentorship through the Business Development Program through the Small Business Administration. Mentors are chosen carefully to help disadvantaged business owners compete in American economy, as well as the federal government contract market. Protégés can form JVs with mentors who can help with financial or technical assistance, offer small loans, and give management advice. Check with the SBA website for more information.

Joint Ventures can be a great way to improve your business and your profits, but the unknown aspects of a JV are often difficult obstacles to overcome. Get help through a mentor if you have questions and get your JV started with confidence.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

Why is it that successful entrepreneurs who have taken that giant step into small business ownership have an even tougher time moving forward with a JV idea? Fear has a tendency to cause paralysis in making decisions. A JV may be contemplated and dwelled upon, but actually deciding to make that move requires action. And if you’re too swept up in the “analysis paralysis” mode, then you may decide to never decide.

The Dangers of “What Ifs”

So what happens if we wait and wait? What happens if we think about all the great things that could come from a JV, but dwell on the “what if” scenarios? Maybe it’s the time commitment. Perhaps it’s the fear of giving up control to a JV partner. Or it could be the fear of losing money in an unknown and untested JV partnership.

But you’ll never know unless you try. You’ll never experience the benefits and rewards unless you accept the risks and make the commitment to control them with sound business strategy.

Profits are Ticking Away

In fact, you could be losing money right now by not deciding. By wasting time, you are wasting money that could be earned. A JV with profit potential will never see the profit until it steps into the metaphorical foray. The sooner you decide to make a successful JV, the sooner you and your JV partner will enjoy the spoils of your efforts.

You could be doing more damage by waiting. You could be losing your self-confidence as well. Those who hesitate are not fully confident, and waiting only spreads the disease of lack-of-confidence.

Don’t be Paralyzed by Decisions

What would happen if you got to the point where you made no decisions at all? Your lack of confidence in your decision-making ability would end up costing you your business and the very ability to function in society. You must make decisions every day. Whether it is to get up in the morning, which car to buy, or what to have for lunch, your daily decisions keep your life functioning.

The same goes for your business and your JV business. You must keep your business functioning and growing. Why wait when you can decide today? What is causing the hesitation? Do you need more information? Then decide to go find it. Haven’t found the right JV partner? Decide to keep looking. The longer you wait the more excuses you will find.

Hesitation and lack of confidence is a big subject in business psychology. It plays a big part in JV psychology as well. You’ve already proven your ability to create a small business. Keep the momentum going by making the decision to form a JV today and start taking the steps necessary.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

Wherever your JV customers came from, it is important to realize that repeat business is essential for most businesses. In addition, it is important to remember that customers, new or returning, have a choice and can always go to your competitors if they feel you have not earned their business.

What can you and your JV partner do to keep the customers returning time after time? Here are four great ideas about how you can treat your customers to assure their loyalty.

1. Give the Extra Value

No matter what you sell in your JV business, always go the extra mile for your customers. As an example, say five other businesses selling hair products just like your JV business. What attracts customers to your place of business? It could be that you offer a free trial, you give complementary samples along with a free wash, or maybe it’s because you simply sell the products cheaper by running a low overhead.

Regardless of the reason, people will choose your business over another because of the value they receive. Be sure you give them the extra value so they keep coming back.

2. Respond Promptly

Do you and your JV partner operate a service business? How quickly do you respond to customer calls or inquiries? Do you answer calls right away, or let it go straight to message?

Responding right away to your customers gives them the impression that their problems or needs are your top priority. Even if you can’t answer a call right away, returning a message within an hour or two is essential for letting the customer know you are on top of his or her problem and will be there to serve his or her needs.

3. Go for Never-Ending Improvement

Don’t just sell the same product or service again and again, over and over. To earn loyal customers, you must not only meet their needs, but also constantly improve so you always provide that “wow” factor and stay ahead of the competition.

Try to improve the quality of your manufactured goods. Even the packaging of your JV product is a facet that can be improved. Or in a service industry, strive to include more value for your services, such as more streamlined packages, or new methods to include with your service.

4. Always Demonstrate Respect

One of the best ways to keep customers coming back is to simply respect them. Remember when it was customary to refer to customers by last name, such as Mr. or Ms. So-and-So? It is sad to think the days of respect are gone, but you can bring them back in your JV business.

Always speak to customers with a smile. Attempt to resolve conflicts with sincerity and a respect for the customer’s needs. You don’t have to say the cliche, “have a nice day”, but substitute that farewell with something like, “thank you for your business”, “we’ll see you next time”, or perhaps, “it’s been a pleasure”.

Loyal customers are the backbone of your JV business. Give them the reasons they need to make the choice of loyalty. Your JV business will be glad you went the extra miles.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

Although there are some benefits to being a perfectionist, there are also many things you need to let go in order to continue being successful with your JV business and relationship.

Excellence is a goal towards which to strive. It is a noble goal for any business, especially with your JV efforts. However, achieving excellence is not the same as achieving perfection. And many people who are perfectionists confuse the two frequently. If you’re looking to achieve excellence in your JV, it would be wise to gain a healthy sense of perspective.

Don’t Set Out of Reach Goals

Have you set unrealistic goals for your JV business? Many times a perfectionist will “shoot for the stars” and end up being very disappointed when they don’t reach their goals.

Instead, you and your JV partner should set goals that are a stretch, but still attainable. In doing so, you and your JV partner will have something to strive for that is not too easy, but realistic.

Enjoy the Process

Perfectionists have a tendency to never be satisfied unless 100% perfection is achieved. What they should keep in mind is the previous tip and enjoy the process in the meantime. Remember the old adage, “half the fun is getting there”? Enjoy the process of achieving goals. A goal is reached by checking off many steps. Each step is a move forward in the adventure. Learn to enjoy it!

Avoid Paralysis

Many perfectionists also have a tendency to over-analyze things to the point that they suffer from “analysis paralysis”. One reason may be fear of failure. They hesitate to make a decision because they’re afraid they’ll be disappointed if the decision is wrong. This kind of anxiety is unhealthy and certainly unproductive for business.

Instead, learn to make decisions and stick with them. You don’t have to rush or make rash decisions. Do take the time to weigh pros and cons of your choices. However, once you have made a decision with your JV partner, feel free to review the process along the way, but commit to your choice and make it happen.

Learn From Mistakes

Many times, perfectionists believe that mistakes are the ultimate failure. Nothing could be more wrong! Mistakes are the way we learn and improve. Don’t feel that mistakes and setbacks will ruin you or your JV business. Take the proverbial bull by the horns and make the mistakes work for you and improve your tactics, your strategies and your actions.

Joint ventures are a great way for perfectionist to practice letting go. In a solo business or entrepreneur venture, you get to enjoy all the success, as well as the failure. However, with a JV partner, you can learn to compromise and become the achiever.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.

If you are still stuck in a paralytic state and don’t know how you can take advantage of a joint venture, here are some creative ideas to get you started.

1. Advertise in a Publication

Do you publish an eZines? How about a newsletter? How about your JV partner? Perhaps you could find a JV partner with a regular publication that is sent out to hundreds or even thousands of customers on a mailing list. Ask to put an advertisement for your product or service in his publication and offer to share a portion of every sale made from his clients or customers. Don’t forget that you can do the same in your own publications for your JV partner.

2. Share Your Network (and vice versa)

Have you ever had a junk swap? It can be a fun event where you and some friends get together and bring books, DVDs, CDs and other possessions you don’t need or want. The fun begins when your unwanted items become treasures for others, and you find some great possessions in return.

You can do something similar with a JV partner. Get together and agree to share your network and/or customer contacts. You may find that getting a sales letter to your JV partner’s contacts results in a slew of new business. And your contacts may be thirsty for something your JV partner offers.

3. Display Your Creative Products in Your JV Partner’s Space

Do you make artistic or crafty products? Ask a potential JV partner if you can display your creative wares in her store. Sculptures, photographs, drawings, paintings – these all are great to display in places like restaurants where a regular audience comes in and gets to observe your creativity while they enjoy a meal. Oftentimes a sale will result from an interested party. You share the profits with the restaurant owner and sell more of your creative efforts.

4. Share a Booth at a Trade Show

Trade shows are a great place to meet new contacts and find new customers or distributors. However, the costs for booth space can sometimes be prohibitive. Why not find a JV partner with a complementary business to yours and offer to share a space?  Sharing a space reduces the cost for both partners, you get to attend the trade show or conference to promote your business, and you can even come up with creative ideas for booth decoration and display.

These are just a few ideas that all fit into a joint venture situation. You don’t have to stop here! Research other ideas and come up with some of your own. A JV doesn’t have to be complicated, but with some creativity, you can form a JV that results in more sales for both parties.

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A Joint Venture Marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.

To discover more Joint Venture Marketing Strategies join his free Joint Venture Marketing Wealth Report.