Creating partnerships with complementary businesses can help promote and build both of your businesses. But breaking the ice, and telling them what you do without sounding salesy can be tricky. You know that you're a good fit, but in order to connect you need them to see it too.

Here is a template that I use to help build my intro emails for collaborating with other businesses.

How do I know them? How did I learn about their business?

Include a compliment, and list some details so it's clear that you really are familiar with their work, and you're not just sending them a form email.

I heard your interview on the Business Babes podcast, about your jewelry design business, and your opinion on stylish clothing was so right! I loved how you thought that great clothing can really improve your confidence, I couldn't agree more.

Who am I?

Explain who you are. Brag a little. What makes you great to partner with, what do you bring to the table?

I'm a custom clothing designer, who designs beautiful clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. I design and hand-make clothing, which I sell on my  Etsy shop Slamin' Threads, which is often showcased in popular magazines and gift guides like, The Curvy Lifestyle Holiday Gift Guide, and Style Craft Magazine.

Why am I contacting them?

What do you want from them, and why do you think they would be a good fit?

Since we both have such a love for clothing, and our products complement each other so beautifully, I thought that I'd reach out to see if you would be interested in collaborating on a unique line of clothing that features your distinct jewellery design? I love the glass bead jewelry line that you had last season, and would love to work with you to incorporate elements of your design in next season's line of Slamin' Threads.

How Can Working Together Benefit Them?

What is in it for them? How would this partnership benefit them?

This collaboration would be a great way to showcase your designs in a different and unique way, and try out a different application for your designs. This line would be branded with both of our business names as, Slamin' Threads featuring Jane Jewellery, and your brand will be prominently displayed throughout all advertising for this line of clothing, as well as being heavily promoted on my Etsy store and blog. This could expand both our customer base, as we share a similar target market.

What is the Next Step?

What is the next step in forming this partnership?

I'd love to chat and see if our businesses would make a good fit, would you be available next week for a Skype call?

Tips

• Keep your letter short
• Write the letter with “What's in it for them?” in mind
• Get to the point. Don't go into too much detail, and keep things relevant.

Do you send out introduction letters? Do you have any tips? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

The Letter

Hi Jane,

I heard your interview on the Business Babes podcast, about your jewelry design business, and your opinion on stylish clothing was so right! I loved how you thought that great clothing can really improve your confidence, I couldn't agree more.

I'm a custom clothing designer, who designs beautiful clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. I design and hand-make clothing, which I sell on my  Etsy shop Slamin' Threads, which is often showcased in popular magazines and gift guides like, The Curvy Lifestyle Holiday Gift Guide, and Style Craft Magazine.

Since we both have such a love for clothing, and our products complement each other so beautifully, I thought that I'd reach out to see if you would be interested in collaborating on a unique line of clothing that features your distinct jewellery design? I love the glass bead jewelry line that you had last season, and would love to work with you to incorporate elements of your design in next season's line of Slamin' Threads.

This collaboration would be a great way to showcase your designs in a different and unique way, and try out a different application for your designs. This line would be branded with both of our business names as, Slamin' Threads featuring Jane Jewellery, and your brand will be prominently displayed throughout all advertising for this line of clothing, as well as being heavily promoted on my Etsy store and blog. This could expand both our customer base, as we share a similar target market.

I'd love to chat and see if our businesses would make a good fit, would you be available next week for a Skype call?

I look forward to chatting,

Joelle, Lead Designer
Slamin' Threads

** Note: These are fictional businesses, article title, and magazine. Any similarities that there may be to existing businesses is coincidental.