Should I explore partnerships with influencers or brands?
Exploring partnerships with influencers or brands can be a powerful way to grow your freelance or passive income business, but it's important to approach it with intention and clarity. Here’s how you might think about it, drawing from my Capture, Develop, Expose framework and my own experiences:
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Capture: Start by identifying exactly what you hope to achieve through these partnerships. Are you looking to expand your audience, build credibility, or increase sales? Understanding your goals will help you determine if a partnership is the right move.
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Develop Relationships: If you decide to proceed, take the time to develop genuine relationships rather than jumping straight into business. Engage with potential partners on social media, comment thoughtfully on their content, and find ways to add value to their community. Authenticity is key, so seek out influencers or brands that align with your values and mission.
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Expose Mutual Benefits: Approach each potential partnership with a clear proposal that highlights the mutual benefits. How can you, your content, or your product add value to their audience? Be honest about what you bring to the table and what you expect in return. Transparency builds trust.
From my journey, one memorable partnership was an unexpected collaboration with a small creative agency that shared my values. Instead of going after the biggest brand, I chose a partner with a strong alignment to my mission. We were able to create something truly impactful by combining our strengths—and it showed me how much potential there is in strategic alignment over pure reach.
Finally, remember that success is not solely defined by numbers—true success might be the relationships you build and the authentic connections you foster along the way. Should things go differently than planned, learn from the experience and pivot as needed. The messy middle is where the growth really happens.