Making a partnership announcement can seem like the easiest thing to do. Why don’t you just go out there and say it to the world?
No. A partnership announcement is super important to the success of any partnership. Let me make it simple for you. Imagine you just got into a new relationship with your girlfriend and she says,
“The only way you can prove that you love me is if you announce it to the world”. Now, how would you go about it?
You can go out there and just announce your relationship casually or you could put some thought into it and make your girlfriend see that you appreciate her.
It’s just like that with partnership announcements. Create a notice with creativity that informs your partner of your good intentions and demonstrates to the public why a partnership is necessary for both parties.
Not every partnership turns out successful. While there is no specific statistic that shows the percentage of partnership failures due to poor partnership announcements, it may be a subtle determinant of the success of a partnership.
When done right, it can amplify brand visibility, build credibility, and spark interest from stakeholders and customers alike. A poorly executed announcement will lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and a lukewarm reception.
I’ll be walking you through some key steps to announce a partnership that will benefit both parties effectively.
How Do You Announce a Brand Partnership?
Some factors are important during a partnership announcement.
- Timing
- Messaging
- Channels
When you blend these three keys effectively, you are set for a successful announcement.
#1. Craft a Joint Press Release
When a partnership happens, people want to know the who, the what, and the why involved. Write a clear and concise statement of who is involved, what the partnership entails, why it is happening, and where and when any relevant activities will take place.
It is not compulsory to include how it will benefit both parties but in the spirit of transparency, you can give that information too.
In the press release, you should include quotes from key executives of both companies to add credibility to your announcement. For example, “We are thrilled to partner with Hillform Corp, as this collaboration will bring innovative solutions to our customers,” says Moibi Damilare, CEO of Farmin Company“.
Distribute the press release to relevant media outlets, industry publications, and press release distribution services.
#2. Leverage Social Media
The need for an almost perfect partnership announcement arose with the emergence of social media. Your customer base isn’t all physical anymore and you must appeal to the millions of faces online.
There are several social media platforms where you can post your partnership announcements. But, you must tailor these announcements to fit the style of each platform. For instance, use Twitter for quick updates and LinkedIn for detailed professional posts.
Visuals such as pictures and videos would generate a lot more impressions and views than you think. Such simple content would immediately push the general public into asking various questions. Isn’t that what you want?
#3. Update Your Website
If you have a website, it is a good place to post your partnership update. Create a dedicated section or landing page on your website to provide detailed information about the purpose, benefits, and plans of the partnership.
Your website is not big enough to house all the information you need to convince your audience. This is where blog posts come in. Write a blog post discussing the partnership in depth. Share insights into the decision-making process, the goals you hope to achieve, and what customers can expect from now on.
When a partnership happens, it can evoke different emotions from customers. Some might be worried that what the brand offers might be watered down. Your blog post would assure them of promising times to come.
#4. Email Newsletters
Sending an email announcement is a great way to show you value your customers. Send personalized emails to your subscribers, address them by name, and explain how the partnership will benefit them specifically.
You can Include a call to action to take them to your website, social media, or blog post for further information.
These four ways are assured to produce an excellent reception to your partnership announcement.
How to Announce a Collaboration Example?
I’ll be truthful and say there is no rigid template you need to follow to announce a partnership. Any partnership announcement can be made creatively to send out a specific message and fit the new co-brand ideology.
If you are new to the partnership game though with few resources at your disposal, here are some practical examples of announcing a collaboration that you can adapt to fit your style.
#1. Feeling and Promise Tactic
“We are excited to announce a new collaboration between XYZ Company and ABC Corp! This partnership will revolutionize our industry by combining XYZ’s innovative technology with ABC’s extensive market reach. Together, we aim to deliver enhanced solutions and greater value to our customers“.
“Stay tuned for upcoming product launches and exclusive offers that will be available for our customers soon.”
This feeling and promise style is needed because customers would immediately share in the feeling shared by the brand. If your announcement sounds unsure, you can be sure to infect your customers with that feeling too.
Attach a promise to them so they understand there is a plan for them.
#2. Quotes from Executives
“Moibi Damilare, CEO of XYZ Company, says, “Partnering with ABC Corp allows us to leverage their expertise and expand our market presence. We are confident that this collaboration will bring significant benefits to our customers.“
“Adekoya Simisola, President of ABC Corp, adds, “We are thrilled to join forces with XYZ Company, a leader in innovation. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the best solutions to our clients.”
“For more information, visit our website or follow us on [social media].”
This is a more straightforward approach that portrays a confident outlook on the brands involved. They are certain of what they want to achieve and have a clear roadmap in mind. Although this style lacks the empathetic approach of feeling and promise, it is a still useful tool when announcing partnerships.
How Do I Announce a Partnership on Instagram?
Instagram is one of the best places to announce brand collaboration because it offers you the chance to create more visual content. Your announcement should be eye-catching and engaging on Instagram, and rely less on words.
The following are ways you can announce a partnership on Instagram:
#1. Create a Teaser
The key to teasers is they help to build anticipation. Post a teaser image or video a few days before the official announcement. You can use this style to let people salivate for the main update. Intriguing captions and relevant hashtags like #ComingSoon or #NewPartnership will create buzz.
#2. Use Stories and Reels
One of the key values that drives following on Instagram is authenticity. You can show your originality and authenticity by sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the partnership process. This could include meetings, product development, or collaborative brainstorming sessions.
You can also post short interviews with key people from both companies, discussing the benefits and goals of the partnership.
#3. Engage Your Audience
Your audience wants to feel heard. They’d like to know you hear and see them. Use Instagram’s interactive features like polls, Q&A sessions, and quizzes to engage your audience. Encourage them to ask questions about the partnership or share their thoughts.
#4. Consistent Branding
A collaboration between brands will change a lot of things about brands. For example, the merger between Access and Diamond Bank brought about a change of logo.
Their logo changed from this
To
Ensure that the announcement aligns with both brands’ aesthetics to maintain an ordered look. Use both companies’ logos, colors, and fonts in your visuals.
How Do I Announce a New Partnership on LinkedIn?
Unlike Instagram, LinkedIn does not favor visuals in particular. LinkedIn is a professional network, so your announcement should be informative and engaging. On your linked post, you have the opportunity to delve into the details of a partnership and give interested parties better information.
Here are ways to announce a partnership on LinkedIn
#1. Detailed Post
It’s just like I said, write a detailed post about the partnership, and talk about the goals, benefits, and expected outcomes. Include how this collaboration will positively impact your industry, market, and customers.
Don’t forget to tag the partner company and key individuals involved in the partnership to increase visibility, engagement, and authenticity.
#2. Professional Imagery
Though LinkedIn is not thoroughly visual, it would help to post helpful visuals that stamp the authenticity of the partnership.
Photos or Videos of the signing ceremony, meetings, or product launches would appease your audience.
#3. Engage with Comments
Respond to comments and questions to foster engagement and showcase transparency. This demonstrates your commitment to the partnership and opens a dialogue with your professional network.
You can also post follow-up content, such as updates on the partnership’s progress, success stories, or case studies, to keep the audience engaged.
To announce a partnership announcement on Twitter, you can use the Twitter thread for more long-form content or you could just drop short posts to wet the appetite of your audience.
Take a page out of the textbook of Elon Musk’s post on Twitter. He has found the perfect way to simply announce important updates, drop teasers, and other information on Twitter.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. How do you announce the end of a partnership?
How Do I Announce the End of a Partnership?
Let’s look at the boyfriend-girlfriend situation again. After a while, you end up breaking up and you want to talk about it with your friends and family. How do you say it?
Do you just go around castigating him or her, saying they gave you the worst time of your life? Or do you portray them in a good light, emphasizing that it didn’t work out because of both of their incompetence?
In a professional setting, ending a partnership requires sensitivity and clarity to maintain professionalism. Announcing the end of a partnership in the wrong way can affect the way your customers see you.
Hence, handle it with caution. Here are a few ways to announce the end of a partnership.
#1. Official Statement
A Joint official statement explaining the end of a partnership is paramount. In this statement, you should talk about the decision to end the partnership. Be clear and honest about the reasons but talk about the positive outcomes from the end of the partnership.
Instead of seeing it as the end, it’s a new beginning. State honestly the future direction for both parties and reassure stakeholders and customers of your continued commitment to quality and service.
#2. Thank and Acknowledge
Gratitude and thanks should be evident in the statement. Both parties should appreciate each other for the time and effort that was invested into the partnership. Talk about the achievements and successes that happened along the way.
After all is said and done, ensure to inform customers that the end of the merger creates an opportunity for both parties to pursue new and exciting ventures.
#3. Internal Communication
Now let’s talk about media training and team organization. During the end of a partnership, it is not uncommon to see employees worried about the future that awaits them.
This worry can make them prey to the media or anyone looking for inside information. Before making the public announcement, inform your team and key stakeholders to ensure everyone is aligned and prepared for any questions or concerns.
Provide them with a clear and consistent message to share with clients, customers, and partners.
How To Craft a Successful Partnership Like Ryan Reynolds
You probably know Ryan as the comical, multi-talented actor who never gives you a dull time when he is on screen.
But that’s not all he is. Ryan Reynolds is also a successful businessman. He has partnered with many brands, which have been successful even after the partnership or merger.
He brings humor and originality to his content, leaving out business jargon that would not matter to customers.
I would provide you with some videos that would teach you how to make a winning partnership, just like Ryan.
#1. Virgin Atlantic and Aviation Gin
#2. Welcome to Wrexham
#3. Aviation Gin
These distinct partnership announcements show you why it is important to leverage social media to craft a winning partnership announcement.
Why is it Important to Announce a Partnership Publicly?
Announcing a partnership publicly helps build credibility, attract potential customers, and enhance the brand reputation of both parties. It also keeps stakeholders informed and excited about future prospects. A public announcement signals transparency and commitment, which can foster trust and support from customers, partners, and investors.
What Should be Included in a Partnership Announcement?
A partnership announcement should include the names of the partnering companies, the nature and benefits of the partnership, quotes from key executives, and information on what stakeholders can expect from the collaboration. Additionally, it should outline the goals of the partnership, the expected impact on customers, and any upcoming joint initiatives or projects.
How Can I Measure the Success of a Partnership Announcement?
Monitor engagement metrics such as social media interactions, website traffic, and email open rates. Additionally, track any increase in sales or customer inquiries following the announcement. Other indicators of success include media coverage, positive feedback from stakeholders, and the achievement of partnership goals over time.
How Often Should I Update Stakeholders on the Progress of the Partnership?
Regular updates are essential to maintain transparency and build trust. Consider providing quarterly updates through newsletters, blog posts, or social media. Major milestones or significant achievements should be communicated immediately to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
Conclusion
Making the right partnership announcement forms the bedrock of a prosperous business relationship. When you craft and share your message strategically, you set the stage for mutual success and growth.
A well-executed announcement not only informs but also excites and engages your audience, paving the way for a fruitful collaboration. It doesn’t matter your medium of the announcement, just ensure your announcement is clear, enthusiastic, and leaves a lasting impression.
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