Buy Your Friends

Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’.  Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers.  We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog!  If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

OK, so I’m being a little facetious with the title there, but today’s topic for Spark and Idea Thursday is “Spark an Idea that Makes You a New Business Ally,” and there’s something to be said for laying out a little cash in return for a great new ally.

We actually came upon this idea accidentally.  You may remember that some time ago, we invested in a new website for the Berry|Brewer Freelance Agency.  What we didn’t know at the time was that small business we hired would become one of our best clients.  We just wanted a shiny new site and were willing to pay another mompreneur to build it for us.

Fortunately for us, websites are not all that person was building.  She was actually laying the foundation for a really successful marketing company aimed at local small businesses.  I say it was fortunate, because she took us along for the ride.  Now, tons of the people who come to her for design also come to us for content.  Whether she needs something for her own business or for one of her clients’, she turns to us first.

I would say that you can’t buy that kind of loyalty, but the fact of the matter is that we sort of did…even if we weren’t smart enough to be doing it on purpose.

So, how can this relate to your freelance business?  Well, consider this: you need stuff that other people have.  They need stuff that you have.  You both know people that need what the other is offering, so why not hook them up? 

I sincerely believe that teaming up with other small business owners is a great way to make friends and improve your own business.    I’m not just talking about networking, either, but truly utilizing their services and seeing what kind of relationship naturally develops.  It’s worked extremely well for us, that’s for sure.