Are you a new business owner looking for different marketing ideas? Have you considered affiliating with other small businesses? This is an easy way to get added exposure for your business, and almost always with no cost to you.
If you pull up any small business websites you are likely to find links to other businesses right there on their website. This is called "bring affiliated" with the other business. Each business owner agrees to link the other business to his or her own website. Typically these partnering businesses offer similar products or services. For example, a small construction company might affiliate with custom furniture or interior decorating businesses, but this could be done with any business at all.
By now you have your business website up and running. If you know of any friends, neighbors or acquaintances who have also recently started a business, offer to affiliate with them. If you know who your local competition is, you might affiliate with them. This works really well with blogs too.
Maybe you're wondering how directing potential customers to the competition is going to help you succeed in business? It's because when a consumer looks for a photographer and the search engines direct them to a successful business that is too busy to fit the customer in, they will see your link and you might be open the day they need you. Your business gets more exposure and credibility and both businesses help each other out. Also, remember that every time your business name or website is found online it increases the chance of search engines pulling you up in a result. Affiliating puts your business name on every website you affiliate with, and it is completely free! Your cost is only in the simple act of listing the partnered business on your website! |
