Partnership emails are some of the hardest to get right. You're reaching out cold to busy people who get hundreds of pitches. Most get ignored. The ones that work share common traits: they're personalized, they show value for both parties, and they respect the recipient's time.
Whether you're reaching out to influencers, proposing integrations with other companies, or building an affiliate network, the key is leading with value, not with ask.
These templates have been tested across thousands of partnership outreach emails. They work because they focus on what the other person gets out of it first.
Ready-to-Use Templates
Copy these templates and customize them for your needs. Each includes HTML and plain text versions.
Love your work on {{topic}}, {{firstName}}Quick question about a potential collaboration...{{yourCompany}} + {{theirCompany}} integration?Our customers keep asking about this...Guest idea for {{podcastName}}Thought I could share some insights on {{topic}}...Partnership opportunity for {{theirCompany}}A way to add value for your audience...Joint webinar idea: {{yourCompany}} + {{theirCompany}}Let's create something valuable for both our audiences...Best Practices
Research before reaching out
Reference specific work, content, or achievements. Generic templates get ignored; personalized ones get responses.
Lead with value for them
Explain what they get out of the partnership first. Self-centered pitches go straight to trash.
Keep it short
Partnership decision-makers are busy. Get to the point in 150 words or less for first contact.
Make the ask specific
A vague 'let's collaborate' gets ignored. A specific 'joint webinar on X topic' gets considered.
Follow up strategically
One follow-up after 5-7 days is appropriate. Add new value or information, don't just bump.
Common Mistakes
Making it all about you
Partnership emails that only talk about what you want get ignored. Lead with their benefit.
No personalization
Copy-paste templates are obvious. Take 5 minutes to personalize with specific references to their work.
Asking for too much too soon
Don't ask for a major commitment in the first email. Start with a small ask - a quick call or feedback.
Being vague about the opportunity
Generic 'partnership opportunity' emails get ignored. Be specific about what you're proposing.
Following up too aggressively
One follow-up is fine. Three follow-ups in a week is spam. Know when to move on.
Subject Line Examples
Love your work on {{topic}}, {{firstName}}Personal and specific - shows you did your research
{{yourCompany}} + {{theirCompany}} integration?Clear, direct proposal format
Quick question about a collaborationLow-commitment ask, high open rate
Guest idea for {{podcastName}}Specific to their platform, shows you're a listener
{{mutualConnection}} suggested I reach outWarm introduction reference for instant credibility
Partnership opportunity (not a sales pitch)Addresses objection upfront, curiosity-driven
Timing & Performance
Partnership outreach works best mid-week when people are in work mode but not overwhelmed. Early morning catches them before the day gets busy. Follow up once after 5-7 days, then move on if no response.
Personalization Tips
Industry-Specific Tips
- Lead with integration benefits for shared customers
- Reference specific use cases where products complement each other
- Offer to build the integration if they don't have resources
- Include customer quotes requesting the partnership
- Focus on audience overlap and complementary products
- Include specific commission or revenue share proposals
- Reference their best-selling products for cross-promotion
- Offer exclusive discounts for their audience
- Reference specific content pieces you admired
- Propose specific topics you could collaborate on
- Highlight your unique expertise or perspective
- Include audience demographics if relevant
Building Partnerships Through Email
Partnerships can be one of the highest-leverage growth channels for SaaS companies. A single integration partnership can bring thousands of new customers. A well-placed influencer endorsement can drive significant traffic. But getting there starts with the first email.
Types of Partnership Emails
Influencer Outreach
Reaching out to content creators, thought leaders, and industry experts. The key is genuine admiration - don't fake it. Reference specific work, explain why you're reaching out to them specifically, and make the benefit clear.
Integration Partnerships
Proposing technical integrations with complementary products. Lead with customer demand - if customers are asking for the integration, that's your strongest proof point.
Affiliate and Referral Partnerships
Building a network of partners who promote your product for a commission. Focus on audience fit and make the terms crystal clear upfront.
Co-Marketing Partnerships
Joint webinars, ebooks, and content collaborations. These work best when both parties have similar audience sizes and complementary expertise.
The Partnership Email Formula
The most effective partnership emails follow a simple structure:
- Hook: Reference something specific about their work
- Credibility: Brief intro of who you are
- Value Proposition: What's in it for them
- Specific Ask: A concrete next step
- Easy Out: Make it easy to say no without guilt
Build Beautiful Email Sequences for Your SaaS
Sequenzy helps SaaS founders create automated email sequences that convert. From onboarding to retention - all in one platform.