[thelist] partnering

[aardvark]

> From: "A. Erickson" <amanda at gawow.com>
[...] 
> Anyone have any insight into these kinds of deals?

the term partnering has a warning next to it in my book... it's quite 
clearly all about you benefitting from their relationships... don't beat 
around the bush, tell them that's what you want... as you say 
below...

> Also, if this person isn't interested, I'd like to ask her for an
> introduction to some of these clients and promise some sort of
> referral fee contingent on whether the project goes though -- is this
> a good idea?

yes, it's a good idea...

overall, don't get greedy... if you 'partner' with someone and they 
bill you out on their project, yes, they're marking you up, but so 
what?  you're still getting your normal rate, right?

and if you get a job you wouldn't have otherwise gotten, who cares 
if you kick a % back to the person who gave you the referral, it's 
money you wouldn't otherwise have had...

don't get greedy, and reward the people who give you business... 
it'll keep them going, and hopefully they'll give you more...

these kinds of relationships can be very handy... my own company 
accidentally stumbled into partnerships with 80% of the ad 
agencies in town, and the experience has been rewarding for both 
us and them... sure, we couldn't bid on some jobs because our 
partner already had, but we were gonna get it anyway whether they 
got it or we got it...

i can't offer any more insight without specifics, which i'm not asking 
for... each situation is different, but any time you can expose 
yourself to more prospects, and even reward someone for doing it, 
it's smart business...