·4 min read
MVP Partnership Strategies
Partnerships can multiply your reach without multiplying your budget. But they require the right approach.
Partnership Types for MVPs
| Type | What It Is | MVP Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Integration | Technical connection with another product | Good |
| Co-marketing | Joint content or promotion | Good |
| Referral | They send you customers | Good |
| Reseller | They sell your product | Usually too early |
| White-label | They rebrand your product | Too early |
Finding Partnership Opportunities
- •Products your customers already use
- •Complementary, not competing solutions
- •Similar customer profile, different problem
- •Companies at similar stage (big companies ignore MVPs)
Partnership Pitch Tips
- •Lead with value to them
- •Show existing customer overlap
- •Start small (guest post, not deep integration)
- •Make it easy to say yes
- •Have a clear ask
Easy First Partnerships
- •Guest posts on their blog
- •Joint webinar or podcast
- •Listing in their marketplace
- •Simple one-way integration
- •Mutual social media promotion
Partnership Mistakes
- •Pursuing partnerships too early
- •No clear value exchange
- •Over-promising on capabilities
- •Neglecting the relationship after signing
- •Expecting instant results
Start with lightweight partnerships. Prove you can deliver before proposing deeper commitments.