In the ever-evolving landscape of business development, partnerships are the secret sauce that can launch brands to new heights. Building meaningful collaborations isn't just about connecting—it's about creating intentional, value-driven relationships that resonate.
After years of building strategic brand collaborations, I've been blown away by how AI tools can support our work without replacing the core process. Here's how:
Stay Present: Fathom for Note-Taking
One of my favorite AI tools right now is Fathom. It records and transcribes our virtual meetings, providing highlights, context, and action items. It's changed the game for me because I can stay fully engaged in the conversation, knowing everything is being captured accurately. It emails you the summary and your to-do list—love it. I've on multiple occasions gone back and asked it for clarification or a person's name, and it will find it for you—huge when you have an hour-plus meeting and need one piece of information.
Build Authentically on LinkedIn
My kids make fun of me—they say Mom's version of Insta is LinkedIn, and they're not wrong. I doubt I use LinkedIn as much as they use Instagram, but it's a great business tool to stay connected and share your business stories (and on occasion, my kids' big wins).
The LinkedIn tool I'm geeking out about is Dripify. If you're looking to expand your network in a meaningful way without spending hours combing through contacts, it can help connect you with your ideal contacts. Instead of blasting cold emails, we use LinkedIn automation tools to research contacts who align with our mission and vision, engage with them through content, and nurture conversations naturally over time. This has been a huge win for seamlessly connecting with like-minded brands.
Smarter Outreach with CRM Integrations
Our tech stack at Envision includes HubSpot, Hunter.io, Ocean.io, and more. With these tools, we can pinpoint ideal partners, automate and personalize outreach, track follow-ups and engagement, and find like-type businesses. It's not just about efficiency—it's about creating alignment between our clients and their dream brand collaborations.
From Podcast Chats to Real-World Strategy
I've been lucky to share these insights on podcasts and panels, and what I always emphasize is this: using AI can help us build better. As with most AI, I tend to shy away from using the full capabilities—in Dripify's case, I don't use it to send messages on my behalf because it's important to me to send a personalized note. But these tools have been a game changer, and I recommend them to all of my friends and clients.
At Envision Promotions, we've started to embrace the power of AI to revolutionize how we approach partnerships, making the process more efficient, personalized, and impactful. Whether you're a brand looking to grow through partnerships or a business development person wanting to scale your efforts, AI tools are making it easier to focus on what matters—authentic relationships and measurable impact.