By: Erika Watson

Are you ready to own your niche, create a bigger impact, and make more money?

It can be easier (and more rewarding) then you think!!

In a sea of online marketers teaching clients how to turn their passions into a profitable business (or insert special niche here) it can be difficult to distinguish yourself amongst the crowds. In the past, it seemed that a beautifully designed website would indicate a certain level of professionalism, however with low investment platforms like Kajabi or Optimize Press and outsource support from overseas, it seems that anyone can “look” good and claim their expert status, making it harder for the consumer to really know who’s who in business.

This is where the right affiliate partnerships and joint ventures can really support YOU in achieving the right visibility and positioning in order to grow your business. Credible testimonials and referral marketing strategies allow you to stand out, position yourself and your mastery, and own your industry authority position.

It’s much more then just a gold star on the wall of fame however. Referral based marketing generates at least an increase of 30% ROI over non-referral marketing strategies which you can put directly into the bank.

According to world-renowned sales trainer, Tom Hopkins, in “Sales Prospecting for Dummies”; your closing ratio for non-qualified leads is 10 percent versus a 60 percent close ratio with referred leads which means better sales conversions!

Plus referral marketing reduces your sales expenses and turnover rate. With less time calling cold prospects, you can focus on providing customers incredible value which means less refunds, a long term relationship with reoccurring sales, and greater referrals.

With more time freed up, you focus on building greater partnerships influence that leverage your time and allow you to connect with thousands of potential clients and fill your programs with much more ease overnight. Not to mention spend more time with your friends and family or taking that vacation you’ve been waiting for!!

If you are in the beginning phases of your business with little start up capital, this strategy not only increases your sales conversions, but also costs less money up front! Having the right structure in place that allows you to incentive your partners on the back end is the perfect solution for the entrepreneur who is just beginning to generate sales. Just make sure that you have the other pieces of your marketing and sales funnel dialed in so that your partners may benefit from their efforts and investment in promoting you. You’ll want to know certain key conversions before you begin approaching new partners to guarantee best results.

Of course all the numbers sound good, but in the new paradigm of heart centered business, I am also committed to your partnerships and business FEELING good.

One of the best reasons for being in business for yourself is that you get to decide who you work with and who you don’t. Having an affiliate structure in place that clearly defines your core values, your ideal tribe, and your terms and agreements will help attract the right partnerships to you so you can experience greater fulfillment and less stress and struggle in growing your business.

Partnership allows you to stay in your zone of genius, creativity, and power center, while supporting your clients at higher level by connecting them to partners who excel in other areas of expertise. It’s a WIN WIN WIN!

Just as important to me is that a large percentage of my partners have also become my closest friends and trusted advisors. They understand intimately the ups and downs of creating a passion driven business. They hold me accountable and are able to both inspire me and offer important business and personal development strategies that really support my success. They have become a part of my family, celebrate holidays and birthdays, and make it a point to connect with me as much personally as professionally.

If you are ready to create fulfilling relationships to support your message, impact, and financial goals you’ll want to begin with the following inquiry.

1. What am I creating this year in my business to make a bigger impact?

Begin to list the different projects, events, programs etc. that you desire support on.

2. What are my goals for partnership?

This could be seeking contributors with expertise outside of your genius zone to add value to the project or simply promotional goals.

3. What are my core values?

Seek partners who share similar qualities and energies to create harmonious passionate and long term relationships. You can find core value exercises online, or feel free to email me at erika@lovedseenheard.com and I’ll send you the exercise I use in the Affiliate Partnerships 2.0 program.

4. What business practices (or established levels of excellence) need to be met in order to support the work?

Determine what technologies, business practices, details need to be in place in order to create, market, and sustain your goals and developments. Seek partners that have a solid business foundation to match or elevate your success.

5. Don’t be afraid to create boundaries or say NO.

As you enter the world of partnership you will become approached by many invitations. Make sure to stay connected to your vision and goals for your business and only accept offers that will allow you to accomplish these goals, feel expansive in growth, and are in alignment with your principles.

This is just the beginning to building a 6 figure partnership platform and elevating your business, impact, and lifestyle. Gone are the days of isolation and doing everything all alone for little return. For more information on your 6 figure path through partnerships, join me as I unveil my signature E.D.I.T.T.S system to create enticing and successful affiliate launches every time and much more.

About Erika Watson
While spending 3.5 years behind the scenes developing and managing 6 figure affiliate launches for coaching industry leaders, Erika Watson became the go-to authority for their coaching clients, partners, and their partners’ team members for Joint Venture and affiliate marketing consulting. After speaking with 100’s of heart centered entrepreneurs who felt isolated, undervalued, overworked, or confused about creating meaningful and profitable partnerships and launch strategies, Erika stepped out to answer the call to action. In December of 2011 she launched her first Affiliate Partnerships 2.0 program and has been helping entrepreneurs just like YOU connect with ideal partners, leverage their time, reach more people and earn more money.