PDA

View Full Version : Approaching potential partners

jer
01-02-03, 08:00 PM
Well, I'm at it again -- abiet with a new company. I'm at the marketing stage of the game, and I'll be in contact with a number of hosting-related companies in regards to forming partnerships with them.

I'm always looking to improve my performance, so if anyone's willing to share some tips for approaching and forming partnerships with other companies (ie. they send their clients to you for hosting), specifically advice on cold-calling, I'm all ears :)

Thanks a lot

-Jer
Chicken
01-03-03, 07:47 AM
Originally posted by jer
...and I'll be in contact with a number of hosting-related companies in regards to forming partnerships with them.
Jer, such as a control panel company referring their customers to you for hosting, or exactly what type of company? Local? Global?
jer
01-03-03, 07:56 AM
Global companies. Domain registrars, design companies, etc. Companies that are selling different products to the same client base as hosting companies are. So control panel companies could be included in that.
Chicken
01-04-03, 07:44 AM
I'd think that designers would be a decent prospect (for regular accounts as well as reseller accounts). Seems to go hand in hand with a host, especially if the host can return the favor and refer clients for design (and have a 'portfolio of designers' for people to choose from).

To me, this seems like your best bet.
suppleSupport
03-23-03, 09:09 PM
Don't EVER partner up with someone who doesn't have your COMPLETE trust (i.e. no random 15 year old you just met on the internet :eek:)
allan
03-23-03, 09:12 PM
Originally posted by elevation:

Don't EVER partner up with someone who doesn't have your COMPLETE trust (i.e. no random 15 year old you just met on the internet :eek:)

Sounds like someone who speaks from experience :D
suppleSupport
03-23-03, 09:32 PM
Me partner up with a 15 year old??!?!? Never have, never will!!!!!

They're paranoid, delusional, unstable, adolescent, uhhh... yeah :D *


* speaking from experience ;)
TheGAME1264
03-28-03, 05:59 PM
Originally posted by elevation:

Don't EVER partner up with someone who doesn't have your COMPLETE trust (i.e. no random 15 year old you just met on the internet :eek:)

But IaM3r33T said that he could admin my surver for $10 an hour and he'd garantie the work! Not only that, he said that his mom and dad got him Sesame Street's Elmo Learns Redhat Linux and Running an International Multi-Million-Dollar Web Hosting Company from a Coffee Table on an Unfinished Basement for Dummies! Not only that, he said his girlfriend said he was tha B0mB! I know he's fleeced others, but he wouldn't do it to me. He said I was his "dawg in tha h00d."
TheGAME1264
03-28-03, 06:03 PM
Oh yeah, the question, forgot about that.

jer: I would suggest an extension of Chicken's suggestion. Ask designers geeks like us what we want, because the good ones will have more than one website to host with you. We're also the ones that make the use of the tools on the server, not the companies who own the sites themselves (except in the cases where we are the company).

The other tack you may want to try is to try approaching local ISPs who don't also offer hosting (there are still a few left). Ask them if they will refer clients in your area to you as a local quality web host, and in return you'll refer clients to anyone who needs internet access in your area. I've heard of it working once before for a web host (although I forget which one).
Rewdog
03-28-03, 06:04 PM
Originally posted by TheGAME1264:

But IaM3r33T said that he could admin my surver for $10 an hour and he'd garantie the work! Not only that, he said that his mom and dad got him Sesame Street's Elmo Learns Redhat Linux and Running an International Multi-Million-Dollar Web Hosting Company from a Coffee Table on an Unfinished Basement for Dummies! Not only that, he said his girlfriend said he was tha B0mB! I know he's fleeced others, but he wouldn't do it to me. He said I was his "dawg in tha h00d." hahahahaha :D
interactive
03-28-03, 07:14 PM
Originally posted by TheGAME1264:

But IaM3r33T said that he could admin my surver for $10 an hour and he'd garantie the work! Not only that, he said that his mom and dad got him Sesame Street's Elmo Learns Redhat Linux and Running an International Multi-Million-Dollar Web Hosting Company from a Coffee Table on an Unfinished Basement for Dummies! Not only that, he said his girlfriend said he was tha B0mB! I know he's fleeced others, but he wouldn't do it to me. He said I was his "dawg in tha h00d."

You forgot the Telatuby (or whatever) control panel!
TheGAME1264
03-28-03, 07:24 PM
Dammit! I hate when I screw up like that!
FindSP.com
04-21-03, 12:34 AM
Doesn't matter what you do when you're sending emails try to write every single email and make a unique approach for every company - don't send out those mass mailing list - I hate getting formal letters which look like I'm one out of 10000 who got that email.
TheGAME1264
04-21-03, 06:49 AM
Dear FindSP.com,

I have found your business on the Internet and I feel that your business could benefit from our hosting services. We tailored them to the needs of FindSP.com as indicated by our standard plans which are the same for everyone regardless but that's not the point okay?

Amazing special offer,

unlimied HD Space
unlimited transfer
unlimited emals (yes, I've actually seen this variant)
unlimited emal forwards
secure sockit layer
24/7 tech support (where the 24 means days and 7 means weeks out of the year we actually care)
money-back garantee (not a guarantee)
and much much more!

you're special FindSP.com price: $100/year (sorry, we don't offer monthly plans since we can't shut down the server if we...I mean...since we like to commit to our customers.)

Did I get it right?
FindSP.com
04-21-03, 10:44 AM
Nope because it looks like in your next email the only thing you'll do is change FindSP.com to something else try to mention something about hosting directories in our case and why will a host directory will benefit from your service etc.

This way the worst thing thta could happen is a polite no thanks reply... instead of being accused for Spamming..

Get the idea? :)
Chicken
04-21-03, 05:19 PM
I think he was pulling your finger with that one, but I know what Lonny means. Same reaction people have when Chicken emails them about being missing in action at HHO ;) :D Though I think some weren't sure. :D
FindSP.com
04-21-03, 09:37 PM
Damn... you're right Chicken, sorry folks too muhc coffee today.. lost my sence of humor for a few hours.. back to sleep.. see you tomorrow :)
TheGAME1264
04-22-03, 09:11 PM
Me? Sarcastic? Yeah, right! :D
Taylor
05-05-03, 10:39 PM
Make sure you get in touch with the right person/people.

It won't do you any good if you send out an email and it gets answered by one of the helpdesk techs, or you call up and talk with the office secretary... Do some research and try to find out who it is you should be speaking to, or when you call up be direct about it and ask for the owner or one of the main decision makers.

Just let them know the basic info... you have been researching companies in such and such industry, and have found them to be one of the leaders in quality and service (whatever...). You are interested in working with them to help further both of your businesses. And this is what you have in mind, and here is what i can offer you, and here is what i was thinking you could offer in return.

Then just work out the details =)

The worst they can say is no man, just keep confident, professional and friendly and give your sales pitch.