How do you talk to a company about partnership?

[emilyt405]

How should you approach a company when you want to discuss your interest in a partnership type venue?

[ZingerIntl]

Emily, depending on what extent you want them, remember that you only need to know how you can help them, and they should be happy to listen. If you know it can help them, then its only making them understand what you are proposing. Example, you have a product or service that you could cross market or sell at a discount if they take the package which includes the partners product or service. Then get a JOINT VENTURE contract written up.
or you are looking to use their business to boost yours, you can say, you let me ride your marketing and clientele and I will let you have 25% of my profit for no cost.
see as long as you know how they will benefit and its not just you trying to get ahead. You will be fine. Some people will not accept every offer, or any offer, no matter how good, but try try try again and joint ventures can explode your business. Make sure you understand tho if anyone asks you for exclusivity to your deal. If you cant grow with out them it better be worth it somewhere else.
One other thing, IF you think that your product could possibly become a billion dollar brand with proper initial set up, set up the deal so as your product becomes 20% of the their companies revenue, you get 10% of their company. And then when it get to 50% you get 20% of the share of their company. Then write me back and I will tell you how to buy them out with this same process reversed. It only works if your product is going to bring in significant revenues. GOOD LUCK

[fishingeye]

You can let your financial officer work out everything for you.