RF37 Create Next Level Partnerships and Collaborations with Jennie Yoon of Casetify

Jennie’s Casetify partnerships are on fuego. Let’s see how…

Can you believe Thanksgiving is already this week? The holidays always seem to creep up so I’m not sure why I’m acting surprised. Feel the same way?
But when the holidays do come around, I like to spend time reflecting on the year and brainstorming ways to heat things up for the next. What about you? I’m already thinking about upcoming podcast guests, editorial themes and potential partnerships.
Ahhh partnerships. How they seem so out of reach at first, but in reality, everyone has to start somewhere. Finding short or even long term partnerships can really have a big impact on our bottom lines and also a great way to collaborate on ideas and learn from others. You’re going to want to listen in on this episode before diving into the deep open waters of partnerships.

This week, I went to Casetfy’s LA office to chat with my friend Jennie Yoon who happens to be Casetify’s Head of Business Development and Marketing. As employee #1 behind the two co-founders Wesley Ng and Ronald Yeung, Jennie’s been instrumental in putting together impressive partnership deals and brand collaborations from the likes of Olivia Kim, Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential, and as of last week, Pretty Little Liar’s star, Lucy Hale. Casetify for those new to the brand, allows you to create personalized tech accessories and has positioned themselves nicely in the fashion industry. And come on, we’re podcast listeners so we’re always on or phones. Are cases should be on brand too.
You’ll learn that Jennie came from the traditional world of corporate HR and learned only with experience that you have to live a life that’s completely yours. Not anyone else’s. Not for anyone else either.
This episodes covers everything from your preparation and your messaging to your presentation and your follow through. Jennie’s made it her priority to cover us from A to Z when it comes to building strategic partnerships.
Here’s a bit of her secret sauce. Tune in to get all the details, but it all starts with…
#1 Authentic outreach

Get out there and network in a way that works for you. Typical networking events aren’t for everyone and that’s okay. You can go about introducing yourself in so many different ways, but one of the easiest ways to get in front of people is through social. Everyone is on it and we’ve heard first hand by Emily from the Stylist LA in episode 28 and now from Jennie, about the power of Instagram as a tool for outreach.
What you can do: Take notice of who you’re already following and who you admire on social. You’re already a brand advocate for them which will make for a real, authentic connection when you get a dialogue started.
If you’re going to an event, know who’s going to be there. Do your homework and know what you want to say to the people you’re interested in knowing better. Jennie suggests you mentally prepare yourself with this:
If I run into this person, this is the one question I want to ask. – Jennie  
#2 Engage with a short and authentic message

People have a 3-5 second attention span, your messages need to be short. – Jennie 
What you can do: Here’s a sample DM template Jennie sent to Olivia Kim

* Quickly introduce yourself and your brand
* Share a super short example of what you’ve done in the past that relates to them
* Express your interest in them being part of your vision
* Share how this is a win/win opportunity
* Ask if you can arrange a meeting

#3 Personalize the opportunity
After you get the yes to the meeting,