I'll do it for free

At the beginning of the year, I came across a local vendor's post who was looking for cross-promoting with others like me. I jumped into that pool not knowing exactly what benefit I could get from it.

I engaged with the following email:

Hi,
I just saw you post...
I'd love to get involved in any of your upcoming events and thru my photography be able to benefit both of us.
Let me know if you think there is room for some cross-promotion and we go from there.
Regards,

Simple and straight to the point is how I like it :)

Other vendor:
Sounds great, Rosie. We are planning to host an event in the next few weeks and will most likely be hiring a photographer. What would your rate be to take pictures at an event from...?
For future reference, we are always willing to lend clothes for photo shoots...

My response to that:
Thanks for your reply. The photos will be on me... fell free to keep me posted when you have date/time defined so I can commit to it :)
Mentioning my website, who took the pictures and letting me featuring them as well is enough. I think about cross-promoting like a way to build biz-relationships... money will come for both of us in the long (or short) run.
Do you need a makeup artist??? FYI - I work with a good one.
Good to know about the lending.
(Did you notice? I even promoted another vendor w/ it)

Other vendor:
Sounds great! We will most likely be having the event Thursday xxx from xxx-xxx at our showroom... I will confirm...
We may need a makeup artist for the next photo shoot we do so anyone you can recommend is great.

Due to my lack of time I do most of my engagement via email and so far... it works.
Three weeks ago, I photographed their first 2010 event (for free). Last week, they contacted me to cover an upcoming one. This time, I'm getting paid for it. Most important, I opened a door to build a new business relationship.

Rosie

from http://fromgoodtogreatmedia.com