Sound Bite: We're Better Together: Unlocking Growth with Strategic Collaborations

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Some of the most powerful yet often overlooked tools in a solopreneur's journey are collaborations and partnerships.

Running a business solo doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. In fact, building strategic alliances can open doors to new audiences, fresh ideas, and shared resources—all while keeping your independence intact.

Whether you're looking to co-host a project, cross-promote with a fellow business owner, or simply add value through joint efforts, collaborations can be a game-changer for scaling without sacrificing flexibility.

In this short episode, we explore the why, what, and how of making impactful connections that fuel growth and inspire success in the solopreneur world! Be sure to tune in.

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So, if you are lacking direction, having a hard time generating leads, or are having trouble keeping up with everything you have to do, or even just lonely running a company of one, click here to check out SoloSuite Intro!

Transcript

Carly Ries: 00:00

Flying solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. I know you have heard me say that so many times, but all is always worth repeating. And I'm saying it today, and I actually think I say it in the episode because today, in this very short sound bite, we are talking about strategic partnerships and how they can open up new opportunities, extend your reach, and just be so beneficial for your business. So whether you're looking to scale faster or simply add more value to your business, collaborations can be a real game changer. So join us.

Carly Ries: 00:28

Joe and I are just having a little chat between the 2 of us as we talk about our tips on finding the right partners and how we think you can make this work for your business. Tune in. You're listening to The Aspiring Solopreneur, the podcast for those just taking the bold step or even just thinking about taking that step into the world of solo entrepreneurship. My name is Carly Ries, and my co host Joe Rando and I are your guides to navigating this crazy but awesome journey as a company of 1. We take pride in being part of LifeStarr, a digital hub dedicated to all aspects of solopreneurship that has empowered and educated countless solopreneurs looking to build a business that resonates with their life's ambitions.

Carly Ries: 01:10

We help people work to live, not live to work. And if you're looking for a get rich quick scheme, this is not the show for you. So if you're eager to gain valuable insights from industry experts on running a business the right way the first time around, or want to learn from the missteps of solopreneurs who've paved the way before you, then stick around. We've got your back because flying solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. So, Joe, I'm curious how many times in a day you think I say flying solo in business doesn't mean you're alone.

Carly Ries: 01:43

Because so often people think that they have to do every single aspect of their business by themselves. They have to grow the business by themselves. And what we always say is we've we talked on this show before about contractors and all that and hiring other people to do the actual work. We have not talked about partnerships or collaborations. And I think it's something that is so important for solopreneurs to focus on because you can whoever you partner with and collaborate with, you it's mutually beneficial or should be, and we'll get to that in a second.

Carly Ries: 02:17

But it's a great way to grow both of your audiences without really spending a dime. You can cross promote. You can cross market. There's so many things. And I want your take on all of this.

Joe Rando: 02:27

Yeah. Well, I mean, I totally agree with you. It's one of those things, you know, as we have some of our virtual events, you see people just doing this when we're networking. And all of a sudden, you go, oh, I can help you with that. I know those people, and all of a sudden people are working together and helping each other.

Joe Rando: 02:42

So it's a natural thing, but sometimes you need to kind of think it through to figure out who you should be reaching out to. I mean, you really you need to think about, whatever your client is, what do they need besides what you do for whatever it is they're trying to accomplish with you? And if there are other things, those are people that can help you. A graphic designer, their client might need a web developer or a social media manager or something.

Joe Rando: 03:12

You know, there are so many ways that people, when they're doing something, come to you, but may need to go to somebody else. So you can really, really benefit from identifying those things, thinking through your client is doing, and identifying other people that you might be able to help and have help you.

Carly Ries: 03:31

Yeah. And I wanna just piggyback off of that and circle back a little bit

Carly Ries: 03:39

I was saying they need to be mutually beneficial, and it's not enough, in my opinion to just find somebody that shares an audience that you do. If you have 10,000 followers and they have 500, but you have a shared audience, you really need to weigh it if it's worth it for your business.

Carly Ries: 03:56

If somebody were to approach you to be a collaborator or a partner, it needs to be an eye for an eye. it's not always gonna be a level playing field. You need to make sure

Joe Rando: 04:06

Eye for an eye. Wow.

Joe Rando: 04:09

Well, just weren't you the one that came up with feed 2 birds with one hand?

Carly Ries: 04:15

Yes. That is pretty entertaining.

Joe Rando: 04:18

Yes. how about it's Halloween. How about a candy corn for Mars Bar? That's a rip off.

Carly Ries: 04:27

Perfect. We'll do that. The point remains, that you shouldn't just be doing favors for people. People could be reaching out to you and not just you reaching out to them. And you could just be like, oh, yeah.

Carly Ries: 04:40

I'll throw them a bone. you really need to protect your own business when you're looking for these partners and collaborators.

Joe Rando: 04:47

Yeah. It should be mutually beneficial. I mean and you're talking about sharing audiences, but you could just be referring customers. Right?

Joe Rando: 04:54

I mean, there are a lot of ways to work together. can I just walk through kind of what I came up with for a list of ways? I mean, the referral is 1. Right? So you know, I'm a I'm a wedding photographer, and you're a videographer, and I refer them to you.

Joe Rando: 05:10

They hire me. I refer them to you for videography because I don't do that, right? But we're both gonna work the wedding. You know, bundling packages. So I'm a web developer.

Joe Rando: 05:20

I do websites, but I don't do graphics. So you're gonna have to supply me the graphics. Or I could say, hey. I have a graphics package I can add to my web development, package, and then I partner up with some other some other person that's a graphic artist. And together, we work and maybe I bill it and pay them.

Joe Rando: 05:41

You know, joint marketing, if there's some way to just kind of share in the marketing costs to reach a wider audience that you both want to reach and you're not taking from each other. We've always talked about affiliate marketing. I mean, in a way, that's a form of a partnership. Right? I mean, there are just a ton of different ways that you can, think through a model for working with other people where you both benefit, but I totally agree with you.

Joe Rando: 06:08

I mean, it's one thing to do somebody a favor once in a while, you know, when not expecting anything in return, and I really think that, you should do that. You should just help people when you can sometimes, but you cannot rob your energy away from your business regularly to help people that aren't gonna help you back.

Carly Ries: 06:26

And this is just all a prime example of work smarter, not harder. This can take hours off of your week if you just find the right partnership, but that's the thing, finding them. A lot of people are like, that's great. I do wanna partner with people. I do wanna collaborate with people.

Carly Ries: 06:41

I have no idea where to start. And to that, I say you have to build relationships. It all starts with the relationship building. If you're buddies with somebody that's in, the adjacent industry of yours that targets the same audience, it's a quick phone call like, hey. Do you wanna go in on this campaign together?

Carly Ries: 06:56

That is a lot easier than hello, so and so. I really appreciate your last campaign on this. I would love to blah, blah, blah. It just the more relationship building you can do through networking, whether that's LinkedIn, in person events, when you get that face to FaceTime, the easier it will be to find these relationships.

Joe Rando: 07:18

Definitely. And like I said, starting out with a list of the kinds of businesses that are complimentary to your business and that you're complimentary to their business is a really good way to start so that you can focus that networking effort instead of just kind of throwing darts.

Carly Ries: 07:32

Yes. Absolutely. But, Joe, we wanted this to be a quick episode. Is there anything else that you wanted to add?

Joe Rando: 07:40

Happy Halloween.

Carly Ries: 07:42

Yeah. This is not releasing on Halloween.

Joe Rando: 07:45

I know. I know.

Carly Ries: 07:46

Happy Halloween to you as well. Enjoy that candy. And, folks, if you're listening to this the week after when this is launching, we hope you are still enjoying your candy.

Joe Rando: 07:54

Yeah. By the way, I mentioned this on LinkedIn the other day. I'm okay with candy corn. Right? It's not bad.

Joe Rando: 08:03

And I saw somebody that referred to candy corn eaters as crayon eating psychopaths.

Joe Rando: 08:09

I just think that's harsh.

Carly Ries: 08:11

That's harsh. one of my close friends is, and I love that friend. So good job, candy.

Joe Rando: 08:19

Alright. Anyway Enough of the silliness.

Carly Ries: 08:21

See you next week on The Aspiring Solopreneur. As always, please leave that 5 star review. Subscribe on YouTube. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and we will see you next time.

Joe Rando: 08:32

Bye.

Carly Ries: 08:35

You may be going solo in business, but that doesn't mean you're alone. In fact, millions of people are in your shoes, running a one person business and figuring it out as they go. So why not connect with them and learn from each other's successes and failures? At LifeStarr, we're creating a one person business community where you can go to meet and get advice from other solopreneurs. Be sure to join in on the conversations at community.lifestarr.com.