A relevant shortlist
Define the business types, service area and reasons each prospect may be suitable. A name on a list is not a qualified lead.
Local skills · Clear scope
A better first conversation, locally.
Work with someone who understands local context to make relevant business introductions. Start with an agreed audience and a respectful approach, rather than a promise of leads or sales.
Start with the outcome
What good work
should include.
These are points to agree in a brief,
not a fixed package or included price.
Agreed introductions
Decide who can contact whom, what information can be shared and how an introduction will be made.
A useful activity record
Record the agreed work and actual responses. Separate attempted contact, a reply, an interested business and a completed referral.
Set the boundary
Outreach does not guarantee replies, registrations or purchases. A connector must not speak as an employee, promise search rankings or collect merchant payments without explicit authority.
Make the request useful
A clear brief.
A better start.
Give a potential connector enough information to judge fit, ask questions and agree a realistic scope.
Write your brief- The type of businesses you want to reach and why.
- The permitted area, channels and contact approach.
- Approved product information and statements to avoid.
- What counts as a useful introduction or completed task.
- How consent, contact details and follow-up will be handled.
A clear example brief
Research a shortlist of relevant neighbourhood businesses and prepare an approved introduction message. Agree whether the task includes contact or research only. Record actual responses separately; an attempted contact is not a qualified lead or a purchase.Illustrative brief · not a completed job or a quoted offer
Before you choose
Ask about the work,
not just availability.
Review relevant examples and confirm the service area, language ability and responsibilities. Agree changes before adding work.
The business guideHow do you know this local business community?
What will you say when you introduce the service?
How will you record a refusal or request not to be contacted?
Is payment for time, a defined task or an eligible referral?
Details that matter
Before you book.
Is this the same as referral commission?
No. A paid outreach task and a referral agreement may have different terms. Specify which arrangement applies and avoid assuming that one activity creates two payments.
Can a connector promise new customers?
No. The scope can describe introductions or outreach work, but customer demand and purchase decisions remain outside the connector’s control.
Who follows up with an interested merchant?
Agree the handoff before starting. The merchant should understand which service they are considering and who will answer product or payment questions.