We all know the importance of consistent and persistent marketing, especially in this tight market when we want to make the best of our time and money to maximize the return of each dollar. In your efforts to market yourself and get your name in front of as many people as you can, have you considered marketing partnerships with other business owners and managers?

If you were planning to print and distribute 1,000 door-hangers, flyers, cards or your favorite marketing gadget, and you enter into a marketing partnership with someone else, you will be able to split the cost and double the distribution. Isn't that a great idea! It's like Buy One get one Free all the time!

Who would you partner with? The list is long! How about lenders, home inspectors, appraisers, insurance agents, pest control, title services, home improvement contractors or stores, and other businesses related to your profession.

Imagine the multiplied power of that partnership. If you were going to print 1,000 pieces, now for the same price you can print 2,000 since your partner will provide his or her information for the back side of your piece, but also half the money to get it printed. On the other hand you will double the area of coverage and number of potential customers reached, and it will only take half the time to distribute them since your partner will distribute his/her share.

How about multiple partners! I'm sure you need folders to put your customers paperwork, and so does the attorney that handles your closing, ... and the appraiser that appraised the property you just sold, ... and the home inspector, ... and the local insurance provider, ... and the list goes on and on. Can you imagine if you were able to come up with 5 or 6 sponsors, you can have thousands of those folders printed for a lot less money and at the same time your information will reach not only a lot more potential customers (5-6,000 instead of 1,000) but also in areas that you personally might not have access to. I'm sure a few of you will say, well, what's new about that. Nothing! Nothing at all! I'm sure some of you that have been in the business for a while have well established relationships and connections and have been using them. But some others may not have a lot of connections or maybe have them but just haven't used them to their fullest benefits. And even You, the one with the connections and partnerships,... , when was the last time you called on those partners to thank them for the past business and ask for their commitment on the future? If it has been a while, it's time to get on the phone or send a quick e-mail.

As for the partnerships, of course you don't have to limit yourself to the businesses related to yours. You can have partnerships with anyone you can find something in common with. How about a computer store: you can have some mouse pads done with your information and have the computer store provide them as a free gift to the customers that purchase a computer from them and in return they can provide you with the name and address of that customer. In a week or so after that purchase, you can send that customer a nice little note to say hi, "...hope you like the computer and hope you find the mouse pad helpful. If you need anything in Real Estate, I'm just a phone call away...", and then put them in your mailing list. Do the same with carpet cleaning services, plumbing, electrical, lawn service and more. And don't stop there! Get your partners' commitment to do the same for your online advertising! Have them put an active link on your website as you do the same for them!

I'm sure you all have come up with your own creative ideas in doing things to bring business your way and I would love to hear from all of you. What is one thing that is working really well for you, bringing you lots of business and yet not costing you an arm and a leg? Let us all talk and learn from each other!