Looking for a business partner - Web business

[LondonOne]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a business partner for my web business. The website is live and has traffic but pre-revenue. I'm based in London but as the business is online, I'd be open to a remote partnership.

I don't want to go into full details here but it's a directory and lead gen site for a specific industry. All the features are in place and being used by visitors - both individuals and businesses. I used to have a hobby business in this arena so know the sector which was the genesis of the site.

I'm a jack all trades so currently look after site maintenance, content, feature development, social media, graphic design, SEO, grass roots marketing.

I'm seeking a digital marketing specialist who can help can help build the business. The goal would be to generate income in the short term but ultimately prove revenue streams and exit - most likely being absorbed by another Web business.

In addition to expertise, I'm also keen to simply double resource, keep eachother accountable and collaborate on strategy.

Thanks for taking the time to read and get in touch for more details.

 

[Mark T Jones]

What are you offering this 'partner'?

 

[LondonOne]

What are you offering this 'partner'?

A partnership in a business with massive potential and the opportunity to get in at the ground floor

 

[fisicx]

A partnership in a business with massive potential and the opportunity to get in at the ground floor

Everyone says this. Very few achieve this.

If it has so much potential why give away 50% of the business. Monetise the directory and pay for digital marketing services.

 

[LondonOne]

Everyone says this. Very few achieve this.

If it has so much potential why give away 50% of the business. Monetise the directory and pay for digital marketing services.

There is only scope to monetize if there is there is enough traffic. It's not uncommon to seek a partner with complimentary skills. I also have a have a full time job hence the other points. Digital marketing services are very expensive and again that's not the only benefit of a partner as I've mentioned.

I'm not really looking for feedback, someone who is interested will message me directly.

 

[fisicx]

Digital marketing services are very expensive…

Which is why a potential partner will want to see the business plan. Which will details how the business will make money and grow. Looking at your offer there doesn’t seem to be any income opportunities. If there were you would have said so.

The two people I know with the necessary skills don’t work for free.

 

[LondonOne]

Which is why a potential partner will want to see the business plan. Which will details how the business will make money and grow. Looking at your offer there doesn’t seem to be any income opportunities. If there were you would have said so.

The two people I know with the necessary skills don’t work for free

It's not free, they would be part owner. I'm puzzled by the confusion here.

I'm not going to respond to these anymore. Thanks to those who have messed directly.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Ok, to put it another way, what's to stop this partner taking a look at what you've created and simply doing it themselves?

If you want to attract a partner of any calibre, you'll have to create a strong, compelling proposition, not a selection of cliches and vague promises

Sadly, this post will mostly attract scammers

 

[fisicx]

What to stop me replicating your directory and lead gen and using my marketing skills to dominate. I don’t need you, I can monetise and keep all the money.

But if you used your skills to monetise you get to keep all the money.

 

[Clinton]

It's not free, they would be part owner. I'm puzzled by the confusion here.

Part owner of what? How much is this part ownership worth at THIS point in time?

What you've done so far is the easy bit. And you seem to be saying that you want someone who can do the rest - the getting customers, making sales, growing the business, making a profit ie everything involved in building a business (except creating a website).

The marketing / growing of the business is what business is all about, not coming up with an idea and putting a website together. The website bit can be easily outsourced for a few quid!

I work in M&A. Over the years, I've spoken with literally thousands of business owners who have worthless businesses but who want a whacking great price because the new owner can "just add marketing" and make billions.

You, similarly, seem to putting a big value on what you're offering this partner and a low value on the real skills involved in building a business.

Furthermore, that you're looking for a partner at this point in the exercise, rather than at the start, suggests that you originally thought the marketing would be a cinch and are now realising you don't have a clue, you're completely hopeless at marketing and that this business ain't going anywhere without some serious external talent.

Hmm.

I'm delighted you're getting a flood of DMs but back to my original question:

What monetary value would you attribute to this percentage you're giving away to a partner?

Also, what budget are you going to give them to do this marketing (or are you expecting them to pay for it)?

 

[Bizperson]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a business partner for my web business. The website is live and has traffic but pre-revenue. I'm based in London but as the business is online, I'd be open to a remote partnership.

I don't want to go into full details here but it's a directory and lead gen site for a specific industry. All the features are in place and being used by visitors - both individuals and businesses. I used to have a hobby business in this arena so know the sector which was the genesis of the site.

I'm a jack all trades so currently look after site maintenance, content, feature development, social media, graphic design, SEO, grass roots marketing.

I'm seeking a digital marketing specialist who can help can help build the business. The goal would be to generate income in the short term but ultimately prove revenue streams and exit - most likely being absorbed by another Web business.

In addition to expertise, I'm also keen to simply double resource, keep eachother accountable and collaborate on strategy.

Thanks for taking the time to read and get in touch for more details.

Hi! When are you free to have a chat?

 

[LondonOne]

Hi! When are you free to have a chat?

Thanks for replying. Can probably chat Wed eve. DM an intro and we'll go from there

 

[this.is.giles]

Everyone says this. Very few achieve this.

If it has so much potential why give away 50% of the business. Monetise the directory and pay for digital marketing services.

Perhaps because some people like the idea of working as part of a team. Not everything is driven by profit. Also, statistically, your chances of success and longevity and much higher in a partnership.

 

[fisicx]

Not everything is driven by profit.

They said:

The goal would be to generate income in the short term but ultimately prove revenue streams and exit

So it is driven by profit

 

[Mark T Jones]

statistically, your chances of success and longevity and much higher in a partnership.

I'd certainly challenge the numbers and assumptions behind that one

From my experience there is no clear winner, though the reasons for failure are different

 

[this.is.giles]

They said:

So it is driven by profit

Sure, of course you'd want to generate a healthy profit, but there's other reasons people look for a business partner. That's really all I was saying. Anyway, you have my details if you want to talk more.

 

[this.is.giles]

I'd certainly challenge the numbers and assumptions behind that one

From my experience there is no clear winner, though the reasons for failure are different

Yes, it really depends on the situation and the people involved. Some interesting reading here... https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevi...backed-reasons-two-heads-are-better-than-one/

 

[fisicx]

Yes, it really depends on the situation and the people involved. Some interesting reading here... https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevi...backed-reasons-two-heads-are-better-than-one/

Totally different thing. The partners in that article are franchises, affiliates, resellers and so on.

Where are the stats showing two people coming together to run a business are more successful?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Yes, it really depends on the situation and the people involved. Some interesting reading here... https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevi...backed-reasons-two-heads-are-better-than-one/

A very broad interpretation of partnerships - kind of covering all bases

 

[this.is.giles]

Totally different thing. The partners in that article are franchises, affiliates, resellers and so on.

Where are the stats showing two people coming together to run a business are more successful?

If it's not for you, then that's fine. Let it go.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

You never answered the question, who pays for the marketing and sales and what size of money do they need to do a good job. How many sales have you achieved so far.
Important basic info any person would look for