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Let them know that your marketing research suggests that your customers would be willing buyers of THEIR products - and their customers could benefit from things you provide. Ask them if there is anything specific they would like you to mention about their website, and offer to write something really nice about them when you add their link.
Do you think anyone will flame you for doing this? Won’t they look at your site? Hasn’t everyone heard about how important it is to exchange links on Internet? But don’t misunderstand, this is not a trick or ploy, you must truly feel that you can provide some mutual benefit to each other.
The sure-fire way to make this even more effective is to add a link to them yourself. Do this first, before you contact them. Say something wonderful and glowing, give them a tremendous endorsement, mention things on their website that you liked, encourage your visitors to take a look at their site.
Will people click immediately on your site when they hear that you have added a link to their website? Will they look for their link? Will they beam when they read what you said about them? Will they tell other people about your website? Will they add a link to their page cross-promoting you? Will they be open to discussing joint-ventures and other cross-marketing opportunities? You bet! In fact they will do anything you suggest that is easy for them to do.
Follow-up with people after you have placed their link. Do they see some value in furthering relationship? Would they like to be placed on top of your list? What can they do for you that would make you want to promote them even more? Ask question . . . you’ll be very pleased with answers!
Patrick Anderson is the founder of Active Marketplace and author of "Right On The Money", from which this article is excerpted. You can find out more about the book at http://activemarketplace.com/righton