Partnering With Local Businesses

Why Partnering with Local Businesses is a Smart Strategy

1. Increased Exposure: Local businesses already have a network of customers that trust them. By partnering with them, you gain access to an entirely new audience without spending much on advertising.
2. Shared Customer Base: Local businesses likely serve the same demographic—homeowners looking to enhance their properties. This makes them ideal partners for cross-promotion and referrals.
3. Cost-Effective Marketing: Guerrilla marketing is all about being resourceful. Collaborating with local businesses doesn’t require large ad spends. Instead, you’re exchanging value through mutually beneficial promotions.
4. Community Engagement: Partnering with local businesses shows that you're an active part of your community. This fosters trust and goodwill, which leads to more business opportunities.
5. Strong Referral Networks: When local businesses trust you, they’re likely to recommend your services to their customers. This can generate consistent referral business.

Types of Local Partnerships to Pursue

1. Home Improvement Stores: Partner with businesses like lumber yards, tool suppliers, or landscaping stores. You can:
   • Cross-promote through flyers, discounts, or joint events.
   • Offer special deals for their customers, like a discount on deck installations when they purchase materials at the store.
   • Hold workshops or demonstrations showcasing your work while promoting their materials.
2. Real Estate Agents & Property Managers: Real estate professionals always need reliable contractors for home improvement projects. By partnering with them, you can:
   • Offer exclusive rates for clients looking to enhance their homes for sale.
   • Create a referral program where agents recommend you for new homeowners looking to upgrade outdoor spaces.
   • Provide property management companies with your services for rental properties or developments.
3. Interior Designers & Architects: These professionals often work on home remodels or new builds and can be great allies in generating high-end deck projects.
   • Offer commission-based referral fees for successful leads.
   • Collaborate on projects to create integrated outdoor living spaces (e.g., deck and patio design with landscaping and architecture).
4. Local Hardware & Landscaping Stores: Develop relationships with businesses that sell decking materials, patio furniture, or landscaping products.
   • Co-host events like home improvement expos, offering a free consultation for deck designs.
   • Offer to install decks for customers who purchase high-ticket items from these stores.
5. Home Service Providers: Think plumbers, electricians, roofers, and HVAC technicians. These businesses already interact with homeowners and may encounter situations where a deck is a potential add-on.
   • Partner on bundled services: For example, a package deal that includes electrical work for deck lighting with a deck build.
   • Offer reciprocal referrals—you recommend their services to your clients, and they send potential customers your way for decking.
6. Local Coffee Shops, Gyms, and Other Community-Based Businesses: Small, community-focused businesses often have loyal customer bases. You can tap into this audience by:
   • Co-hosting events (like home improvement seminars or giveaways).
   • Offering exclusive discounts to patrons who visit both your business and theirs.
   • Setting up a local loyalty program, where customers who engage with your partners (e.g., a gym member or coffee shop regular) receive a discount on their first deck build.

How to Approach Local Businesses for Partnerships

1. Start with a Personal Connection: Before sending emails or making phone calls, visit the business in person and introduce yourself. Build rapport with the owner or manager. People are more likely to support a local business owner they know and trust.
2. Prepare a Value Proposition: When reaching out, clearly explain what you bring to the table. How will this partnership benefit them? Some potential value points include:
   • Referral opportunities that benefit both businesses.
   • Increased exposure for their business through your channels (e.g., social media, email newsletters).
   • Collaborative marketing efforts that help both businesses get in front of new customers.
3. Propose Simple, Low-Cost Ideas: Your goal with guerrilla marketing is to keep it simple and cost-effective. Some ideas include:
   • Co-branded flyers or business cards that both businesses can distribute to customers.
   • Exclusive promotions where you offer discounts to their customers when they use your services.
   • Shared social media posts—you feature them on your Instagram, and they do the same for you.
4. Focus on Building Long-Term Relationships: Keep your approach customer-centric. Ensure that the partnership feels genuine and mutually beneficial. Regularly check in with your partners to maintain and strengthen the relationship.
5. Follow Up: After your initial meeting or contact, follow up with an email or call. Offer them additional resources (e.g., project photos, client testimonials) that will help them better understand how the partnership can work.

Scripts for Reaching Out to Local Businesses

2. Follow-Up Email After an Initial Meeting

Tracking and Measuring Success

1. Leads Generated: How many leads or inquiries did you receive from each local business?
2. Sales Conversions: How many of those leads converted into actual jobs?
3. Brand Exposure: Measure social media engagement, referral traffic, and new followers related to the partnerships.
4. Customer Feedback: Ask your customers how they heard about you and whether a local business referred them.

Conclusion