Advice on Strategic Marketing Alliance deal

[Cognition]

I'm about to enter into a strategic marketing effort with a another small business - a printing firm.
Basically, my firm is using this printing firm's clientele base to sell web design services. The printing firm will benefit from the "free extras" that we offer the prospect [complimentary business stationary (business cards, envelopes, and letterheads)] for purchasing our service. The printing firm will receive the additional printing service.

We'll contact the prospect with this offer with a sales letter (direct mail) leveraging the endorsement of the printing firm followed by a sales call.

Are there any other details I should be concerned with as I put this deal together?

Your input is much appreciated.

[Cole Taylor]

That seems to address the initial campaign targeting the printing companys client base. What are you going to do after you penetrate that market?

Are you also providing maintenance/hosting? In other words, are there any recurring revenues in your offering? The printer will continue to generate business from anyone you refer to them simply based on the fact that stationary, business cars, letterhead, brochures, etc dont last forever. Will the printer be offering web design as part of a corporate identity package?

Also, even the best sales letters have a much, much lower response rate than picking up the phone and calling a prospect. Write yourself a good script and pick up that phone. Zero upfront costs!

[Cognition]

Are you also providing maintenance/hosting? In other words, are there any recurring revenues in your offering?

Yes, my firm will provide all initial design services plus hosting [complimentary for 12 months]. All additional design services will be on a seperate contractual basis.

The printer will continue to generate business from anyone you refer to them simply based on the fact that stationary, business cars, letterhead, brochures, etc dont last forever. Will the printer be offering web design as part of a corporate identity package?

Yes, the printer will be offering web design as part of a corporate identity package. My firm acts as the printer's vendor (the invisible third party).

Also, even the best sales letters have a much, much lower response rate than picking up the phone and calling a prospect. Write yourself a good script and pick up that phone. Zero upfront costs!

Amen to that! We'll send postcards before making the calls...

[Cole Taylor]

Sounds like you've thought it through, GL.

[seungbongpark]

would you like to add banners to your product line... I can give you unbeatable rates!

[Cognition]

Sounds like you've thought it through, GL.

Thanks. Yes, developing a comprehensible plan of action/strategy is what I place great emphasis on with any deal that I am involved with.

As the old saying goes, "Those that fail to plan, plan to fail."

[biz-doggy]

hi TheCDAllenGroup,

Just a suggestion. Perhaps you can set up a website and publicise your services there too, highlighting the great deals and extras you are providing. This may attract customers too, since the Internet gives you the possibility of a global customer base.

[wully00]

You really have the right idea -- I've done similar partnership / offers with my suppliers and had great results.

[Cognition]

hi TheCDAllenGroup,

Just a suggestion. Perhaps you can set up a website and publicise your services there too, highlighting the great deals and extras you are providing. This may attract customers too, since the Internet gives you the possibility of a global customer base.

I am seriously considering doing that. I am doing this strategic alliance deal as a small project, primarily to bring in some "extra" dollars for a bigger project I'm working on.

If I decide that my firm, The C.D. Allen Group, will offer web design services, then I definitely pull out all the stops to forming a comprehensible strategy for such a service business formation.

[Young Spark]

^^ In any manner, best of luck with your graphic design firm. Keep me informed as well.

[Cognition]

^^ In any manner, best of luck with your graphic design firm. Keep me informed as well.

Thank you. Will do.

[biz-doggy]

Best wishes to you forming a great competitive strategy, TheCDAllenGroup! All the way!