What types of companies offer services or products related to yours, but are not competitors?

Example #1: Real Estate

What type of businesses might want to advertise on the back of realtor’s business cards? Other realtors? Most likely, but we don’t allow competitor’s ads. Who then?

What do realty customers need besides a realtor? They might need a mortgage loan. They might need an inspector to help them evaluate their potential home. They might need a moving company. Are you starting to understand the value of this form of advertising? Lets look at another example.

Example #2: Ebay Sellers

There are many ebay power sellers that put their business card into every box they ship. What kind of business might want to be featured on the back of their cards? Maybe other ebay sellers that aren’t direct competitors (i.e. that sell a different category of product).

Many online services might want to advertise there also. Any online service that thinks that ebay buyers would potentially become their customers.

Example #3: Electronics Store

Many sales people at electronics stores get paid on commission. They want to get their card into the hands of as many people as possible.

Potential advertisers: Warranty sales, electronics repair shops, insurance companies.

Here are a few of ideas for many different industries.
Who might want to advertise and in Which industry?

As you can see, the possibilities are endless.