By Sue DiFranco
Copyright © 2002 Sue DiFranco/Fun Facts Publishing  

What do Neutrogena and Roxy Quiksilver have in common? What about Clean and Clear and The WB? Animal Planet and Paper Mate pens?

These seemingly different companies have all recently teamed up in various promotions. Take a glance through any magazine and notice the ads - many companies team up to offer a special, contest, or sweepstakes. Sit through a few sets of commercials on TV and you'll notice the same thing.

There's a reason why large companies do this - because it works. If you can team up with another reputable business, you'll both benefit with the cross-promotion. And the cross-promotion doesn't have to be a lifetime commitment - you can team up to sponsor a contest, special event, or fundraiser. You can team up to buy paid advertising. You can team up by simply exchanging flyers and/or coupons.

Some ideas, useful for just about any scrapbook business or service owner:

Photography stores, photographers, bridal boutiques, maternity shops, baby clothing stores, pet stores, gift shops, and wedding planners.

What about cruise lines for custom scrapbook designers? Laundromats for retail storeowners? Try thinking outside the box.

Cross-promoting within your own business, if applicable, is a wise idea as well. Magazines that use their pages to advertise the books they sell is smart promotion. You can witness this in the scrapbook magazines, and also in magazines such as "Entrepreneur" and "Writer's Digest." Magazines that advertise their sister publications - such as an ad for "Creating Keepsakes" in "New York" magazine (both owned by Primedia) - is also smart promotion.

Take a moment to think about how teaming up can help your business or service achieve even more success - then get out there and start making your contacts!

I wish you the best of success...however you define it!