Joint Ventures

A joint venture (JV) is when two or more people work together on
a mutually beneficial project. It's a kind of "I'll scratch your
back if you scratch mine" arrangement where you agree to do
something that benefits someone else and in return they do
something to benefit you.

JVs are a powerful way of building traffic to your own site by
leveraging the work and assets of others to your benefit. They
are also a great way to build professional relationships that
can last for years.

Let's brainstorm some ways you can use JVs to get more traffic
to your site.

1. If you have a mailing list, you could agree to send out an
email promoting another website in exchange for the site's owner
doing the same for you. You could reach a whole new audience
that has never heard of you before.

2. You could trade content. You write a series of articles to be
posted on another website (with a link back to your own site),
and you post their articles on your site.

3. Create a joint blog or website. If you're a great writer but
you're no good with graphics and you know someone who is just the
opposite, work together to put your best skills to work for both
of you. Include links to both of your own websites so you can
both share in the traffic generated by the shared site.

4. Create a community blog where several others have the ability
to post. Each author can have his own column and links back to
his own sites.

5. Let another website owner interview you and post it on her site.
She'll be getting unique content to add to her site, and you'll be
gaining valuable exposure and building your reputation as an expert.

JVs are only limited by your own imagination. Be creative.

How do I find partners to JV with?

I recommend starting small with someone you know and trust.
Promoting to each others lists is a great way to start with
little financial risk.

If all goes smoothly you can look for a bigger project to work on
together. Just make sure you both agree on what is expected of
each party and you stick to your end of the agreement. JVs are
as much about building relationships as anything else.