How to pitch your store to potential partners (free template + GPT prompt)

Why does a good pitch matter?

Successful strategic partnerships can generate around 30% of an e-commerce business’s revenue. That’s a pretty high return on investment for spending some time refining your pitch. 

And the right messaging really is the main thing standing between a lucrative partnership and an empty inbox. It doesn’t matter how amazing your business is, without a good pitch, no one else will ever know. Most partnerships aren’t lost because of a poor fit, but because of a weak or vague pitch. 

That’s why it’s crucial your outreach is clear and impactful. First impressions matter. Make yours that of a competent and conscientious business. With a good pitch, you can stand out and kickstart a meaningful partnership.

What are the key components of a good pitch?

There are a few key things to remember to take a pitch from forgettable to fantastic. Follow this list and you’ll be in the best position to engage potential partners.

Personalization

You want to make a compelling offer that’s hard for your partner store to ignore or refuse. The only way to achieve that is by tailoring your message to their specific needs and doing your homework.

Before sending anything:

• Study their store (spot gaps your products or audience could fill)
• Review their social content (understand their voice and values)
• Check their "About" page (identify shared missions)
• See who they've partnered with before (shows what they value)

Clear value proposition

Your message should show them exactly what they stand to gain from working with you. 

When you lead with their potential wins (new customers, higher conversions, specific audience access), you instantly transform from 'random person asking for something' into a genuine and viable growth opportunity for their business. 

Alignment

Explain why you want to work together and why you think your products or audiences would be a good fit. Do you have shared values? A similar mission? 

Up to 83% of consumers prefer buying from stores whose values align with their own. So share what you have in common and address how this partnership could be mutually beneficial.

Low-friction next step

Make the next step super easy for your prospective partner by ending your message with a clear and easy-to-follow CTA.The trick here is to avoid demanding a big next step or action.

Bad: "We'd love to discuss stocking your products."

Good: "Here's my Calendly link for a quick 15-minute onboarding call: [calendar link]"

How do I contact potential partner stores?

Now you know how to pitch to potential partners, the question is where to pitch. Luckily in today’s connected world, there are many ways you can reach out. If you already have a partner store in mind, you can contact them via email, which is professional and conventional. There’s also social media, which is more immediate and casual. 

If you’ve been struggling to hear back from potential partners though, you’re not alone. Up to 95% of cold outreach emails don't get a response. But stores on Syncio Marketplace are already committed to connecting, and are much more likely to engage. 

Plus, if you’re not sure where to find potential partners to begin with, the marketplace may be just the right platform for you. Not only can you contact potential partners, but you can find them among a curated selection of high-quality options. You’re already within a trusted context of the Syncio ecosystem, so you can rest assured that the stores are all reputable. 

“Syncio Marketplace has allowed us to find like-minded partners, which means we can get our products in front of more customers while staying true to our values as a sustainable business.”
- Gavin Taylor, Founder of Dot & Lola

Here’s how you can get started:

1. Click into the ‘Marketplace’ page on your Syncio dashboard.
2. Set up your profile through settings. 
3. Filter and search through a directory of quality retailers and brands.
4. Once one catches your eye, click the ‘Invite to Connect’ button on their profile.
5. This button leads you to an empty text box. Enter a short message using your newfound pitching tips and tricks.
6. Syncio will send this message and your store’s info via email straight to your potential partner store’s inbox.
7. You’ll be CC’d into the email so you can easily follow-up.

Repeat these steps with as many partners as you like, as you can connect with an unlimited number of stores.

Pitch templates

Here are two customizable template to help you get started. Update the placeholder text based on your needs and adapt the template depending on the context and platform you’re sending the message in. 

Template for reaching out to potential distribution partners 

Hello [recipient name],

I am [your name], the [your position] at [your business name]. 

Our [brand type: ie independent, D2C] brand has sold [insert amount] [type of products] across [location]. 

We are now looking to [your partnership goal: i.e. expand into new global markets].

I’m reaching out as I believe our businesses share similar [audiences/values/product types], I admire your [ethos/mission of…] and I’d like to propose a strategic partnership.

I noticed you don’t carry [your product type] on your website. We’ve found [product type] to be particularly popular among [audience type]. 

By adding [your brand name’s] unique and handcrafted products to your storefront, you’ll attract new customers, have a point of difference from competitors like [relevant competitors you’re aware of], and ultimately make more sales. 

I’d love to discuss this potential partnership further with you.

Here's my Calendly link if you’d like to schedule a quick 15-minute call to discuss more details: [calendar link]

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime. 

Kind regards, 

[your name]

[your email signature]

Template for reaching out to potential suppliers and brands

Hello [recipient name],

I am [your name], the [your position] at [your business name]. 

Our [store type: ie marketplace] has sold [insert amount] [type of products] across [location]. 

We’ve helped [amount] similar [category] brands reach new customers by selling their products on our storefront.

I’m reaching out as I believe our businesses share similar [audiences/values/product types], I admire your [ethos/mission of…] and I’d like to propose a strategic partnership.

By selling your [type of product] on our established storefront, you’ll boost visibility to new audiences, enter a new market and increase sales.

I’d love to discuss this potential partnership further with you.

Here's my Calendly link if you’d like to schedule a quick 15-minute call to discuss more details: [calendar link]

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime. 

Kind regards, 

[your name]

[your email signature]

‍Bonus tip: If you’ve decided to get in contact via social media DMs, it’s best to keep things short and sweet. Cut any non-essential info. If you’re using email, you can afford to include more information.

GPT prompts for effortless outreach

Master prompt to write your pitch

Here's a prompt you can copy/paste into ChatGPT or Claude to simplify the pitching process and create a high quality draft message in seconds:

I need to write a partnership pitch email for my [your product] business to [target store/brand]. My goal for this partnership is [your goal].

Here's information about my business:

- Name: [your store name]

- Product category: [your category]

- Key selling points: [3 main selling points]

- Previous partnership results: [any stats or successes from past collaborations]

- Our values: [2-3 core brand values]

Here's what I know about the business I'm pitching to:

- Store name: [their name]

- Products they sell: [their product categories]

- Their customer demographic: [age range, interests]

- Recent initiatives or focus areas: [anything you've noticed about their recent marketing]

- Their values (from their About page): [their stated values]

- Gaps in their offering: [where your products or store might fit]

Write a concise, personalized partnership pitch message that:

1. Opens by showing I've done my homework about their business

2. Clearly articulates the specific benefit THEY would get from this partnership

3. Includes proof that similar partnerships have worked

4. Makes a specific, easy next step (15-minute call on a specific date)

5. Maintains a professional but conversational tone

6. Keeps the entire message under 200 words

Do NOT use generic phrases like "I think we'd be a great fit" without specific reasoning.

Customize the information in brackets, then review and personalize the output before sending.

Additional prompts to try if...

You want to identify your store’s unique partnership angle

Prompt: What makes my store an attractive collaboration partner? Here's more information on my store: [insert context]

Context: Add a brief description of your store, this may include your mission, niche, audience type and location. Provide a list of your key products or categories. Provide your brand story by pasting the ‘About Us’ section from your website.

You want to rephrase your pitch to sound more engaging

Prompt: Rewrite this message to sound more playful/minimalist/fashion-forward: [paste your existing pitch].

You want to craft a gentle follow-up message

Prompt: Write a friendly follow-up message to check in on this partnership pitch I sent a week ago: [paste your pitch]. Keep it casual and respectful, and provide some additional value to the reader to increase my chances of receiving a response.

Simple tricks to convert your pitch into a partnership

Now you’ve got the foundations for building your pitch, here are the final touches to transform it into an actionable partnership. Here are some insider tips and tricks to boost your chances of making it out of the inbox and into the real world.

1. Follow up once after 3–5 business days 

Based on data from Syncio Marketplace, it takes an average of 2 messages to secure a successful connection. That's why it's crucial to send a follow-up if you don't get a reply to your initial email.

In your follow up email, make sure to:

• Offer alternative ways that the recipient can connect with you. For instance, a calendar link to schedule a meeting, email address and/or phone number.
• Reference your original email and add a new insight or idea to provide additional value that demonstrates your commitment to their success.

2. Nail the tone

Take the time to refine your message to tailor it to your brand voice. Leverage AI to draft your content but make sure you edit to humanize it as much as possible.

3. A/B test different outreach messages

Each outreach email is an opportunity to approach your approach over time.

Make sure to alternate your greeting, subject line, value propositions or CTA to perfect your pitch for future use. 

So they replied…what’s next?

After the initial excitement of getting a response (congratulations, by the way!) you may be looking for a guide on next steps. This is sort of a choose your own adventure depending on the context. But here are some key things to discuss to move any partnership forward:

• What your goals are for the partnership. Make sure you align on a vision and expectations.
• Logistics like commission splits, how much product you’re cross-selling, and inventory syncing (P.S. The Syncio app will make this step much simpler). Speaking of, remember to exchange your Syncio store keys.
• How the partnership will work in terms of ongoing communication and timelines.

Then comes the best part. Once you’re connected, you can reap the benefits like new audiences and more sales.

But it has to start with a perfect pitch.