6 Partner Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Small Business
If you're a small business, startup, or creator looking to expand your audience without taking a major risk, partner co-marketing is an effective and low-cost strategy to consider.
By collaborating with partners—whether supply chain connections, local businesses, or individuals who share your target audience but are not direct competitors—you can extend your reach, build credibility, and attract new customers at little to no cost.
Here are six ways to make partner marketing work for you.
1. Content Sharing & Cross-Promotion
Your partners are also looking for high-quality content to engage their audiences. By exchanging content, both parties benefit from increased visibility.
Ways to collaborate:
Feature each other’s blog posts in email newsletters
Tag each other in relevant social media posts
Co-brand flyers, industry reports, or other marketing materials
2. Email Newsletter Spotlights
Many businesses and creators use email newsletters to stay connected with their audiences. Contributing your expertise to a partner’s newsletter allows you to reach a broader audience while providing valuable content.
What to share:
Guest articles with practical insights
Exclusive data, case studies, or helpful checklists
Guides, templates, or industry best practices
3. Guest Blogging & Podcast Appearances
Sharing your expertise through guest blog posts and podcast appearances helps establish your authority in the industry while reaching new audiences.
How to approach this:
Write a guest blog post on a trending topic or repurpose existing content
Provide real-world success stories to illustrate your expertise
Join a podcast to discuss relevant strategies and industry trends
4. Event Collaboration
Events, whether virtual or in-person, offer an opportunity to engage with your partner’s audience and showcase your expertise.
Ways to collaborate:
Share a booth or table at a trade show or local event
Co-host a webinar, panel discussion, or workshop
Provide promotional materials or giveaway items for their event attendees
5. Social Media Takeovers & Shoutouts
Social media partnerships allow you to introduce your business to a wider audience in an authentic way.
Ideas for engagement:
Host a live Q&A session on your partner’s platform
Create a short video or tip series to share on their social channels
Launch a joint campaign or challenge that encourages audience participation
6. Bundled Offers & Referral Partnerships
If your product or service complements another business, consider creating bundled offers that provide added value to customers.
Examples of bundled partnerships:
A fitness coach providing nutrition tips as part of a meal-prep service
A branding guide offered alongside a marketing consultant’s package
A business coach offering a free strategy session for referrals from a partner
Bonus idea: Community & Local Partnerships
Building relationships within your local or online community can enhance your brand’s visibility and create new growth opportunities.
Ways to contribute:
Host a free educational workshop at a local store or community center
Distribute flyers with QR codes at partner locations
Collaborate with businesses for themed events or awareness campaigns
Final Thoughts
Partner marketing is a mutually beneficial strategy that allows you to engage with new audiences while strengthening business relationships.
To get started, identify potential partners who align with your brand, reach out with a collaboration idea, and explore ways to create value together. Over time, these partnerships can contribute to sustained business growth.
