Here’s a clever idea that allows you to simultaneously do content marketing AND build relationships with dream referral partners.

First, identify who your dream referral partners are. The companies that you’d love to work with but that don’t know you exist.

Think of blogs you can write that are relevant to those referral partners. Contact them and explain that as you are writing a blog about ‘X’ you want a quote from them as experts on the subject. 

Publish the blog and send them a link. They’ll be happy as they’ve got some free publicity for not a lot of work. You’re happy, as you’ve broken the ice and can start building a relationship with them.