I don't know where I'd be without joint ventures. I'd still have my AdSense income, which is nice, but I'd certainly be a lot poorer. I'd have fewer friends. And the people who acted on my recommendations would be a lot worse off too.
Joint ventures are a vital part of my business. They should be a vital part of yours too.
I still say that the best place to find joint venture opportunities is at conferences. I'll keep saying that until someone gives me a good reason to say something else. So far though, I haven't come across a better way of meeting other entrepreneurs, examining their products and forming the sort of relationship that can generate income for both sides.
But you don't have to wait until you go to a conference to form a joint venture. You'll find it much easier there. You'll be able to create more deals in less time and for more money at a conference, but you can get your feet wet before you travel.
The danger though is that because making deals at a distance is so hard, you'll be tempted to accept any offer that comes your way.
That's a big mistake.
However you form a joint venture, there's one golden rule you can never break...
You have to believe in the product.
You have to examine it carefully, use it, understand why it's so good, and genuinely believe that it can help the people you're recommending it to.
A joint venture should make money. It should make money for you, and it should make money for the person you partner with. But first of all, it should bring real help to your users.
Try to cut corners by thinking about the income and not the benefits of the product and you'll do your site all sorts of damage. No one will accept your recommendations in the future. You'll have cut yourself out of an important source of income.
In fact, it can pay to create a joint venture for a very good product even if the profit margin is very small. If you tell people that they should be using a service that's really exceptional, even if it costs little and pays a tiny commission, your users will be more likely to trust you when you make expensive recommendations. You'll have primed your market.
Creating joint ventures in person is always best, but if you're looking for joint ventures online, focus on the product and let the profit take care of itself.
I've written a report called "The Art of the Joint Venture: How to Network Your Way to Success". You can pick up a free copy at:
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
