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Reputation: major issue with marketing barter deals

sam — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:04:47 +0000

When two companies engage in crossmarketing or co-operative marketing, they both put their reputation at stake. Why? Because they basically recommend each other to their respective client base.
They're not liable for each other, but if one of your clients is dissapointed because of another firm you recommended while crossmarketing, this client is more than likely to hold this against you.

How to protect yourself? I'm afraid there is no easy solution to this.

The only solution I see is to do your homework on the other firm. Contact the other firm. Talk to them on the telephone or in person if possible. Ask for samples or demo's. Ask for client referrals. Seek if you already have any clients in common. Check them out on LinkedIn or any other social network.

When in doubt, hold off. There must be enough firms out there targetting your niche.. You can afford to be picky. After all, your reputation is at stake.

Any suggestions on how to help with the reputation issue?

Some websites focusing on barter deals & niche marketing

sam — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:14:07 +0000

mesh-box, a german blog focused on big brands doing marketing alliances or co-branding
entrepreneur.com, a very valuable US source of marketing information
crossmedialog.nl, a dutch group blog on cross media and cross marketing
Guy Kawasaki, a VC with a very sound view on marketing
Marketing Sherpa, a good general marketing platform
Wikipedia, off course, with a great definition of co-operative marketing

Definition of targetting criteria for niches (work in progress)

sam — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:38:17 +0000

The niche marketing barter deal marketplace is not going to work if companies can't define their niches properly.
Because everything starts with a proper definition of your niche. Once you know that, you will be able to see which companies match your niche.

Here are some of the main niches:

By Interest:

· Bloggers & Early adopters

· Collectors & Art· Media: Games, Movies & Music· Car enthusiasts

· Techies & ICT

· Fashion & Lifestyle

· Construction & Real Estate

· Financial services & banking

· Alternative & Religious

By age

·        Baby & Young Parents
·        Toddlers & young children
·        Teenagers
·        University students
·        30 somethings
·        40 somethings
·        50 somethings
·        60 & Elderly citizens

By Occupation
·        Consumers
·        Liberal arts
·        Marketeers
·        Investors
·        Academia
·        SME’s & Professionals
·        Government and NGO
·        Big corporations

By Income
·        Budget buyers
·        Middle of the road
·        Luxury segment
·        Undefined

By language:· English· French· German· Dutch· Spanish· Swedish· Arab· Turkish· Italian· Russian· Chinese· Japanese· Italian· Other

By region:· Worldwide· USA & Canada· Germany, Austria & Switzerland· Eastern Europe & Baltics· Scandinavia· France & Belgium & Switzerland· Netherlands and Flanders· Spain & Latin America· Italy· Northern Africa· Southern Africa· Middle East· South America· China· India & Pakistan· Japan· South East Asia· Asia Pacific & Australia· Russia and former USSR· Other

Barter marketing, attempting a definition

sam — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:44:10 +0000

Barter marketing is often a cheap, original and effective way of reaching your target group as a marketeer. You need to find a company with a similar/idential target group as yours. Then you strike a deal where you will promote the other company to your clients/members. The other company will then promote you in return to their clients/members. If done well, you’re both better off. No or little cash is exchanged. And the marketing is usually quite credible. Your clients would normally expect you to only promote somebody else if this other business/organisation is any good and relevant for them. In short, barter marketing is smart marketing.