One line
Blackshore gives businesses the engineering team of a much larger company, on one predictable monthly retainer.
Referral Partners · Toolkit
Everything you need
to make the introduction.
Ready-to-send messages, the words to describe what we do, answers to the questions you’ll hear, and one-pagers to share. Copy anything, change the brackets, send.
01 · Describe Blackshore
In a line, or in thirty seconds.
Thirty seconds
Blackshore believes every business deserves the engineering capability of the largest companies in the world. They work as a senior, in-house team on a monthly retainer, building, hosting and improving your technology with one accountable lead. They also put institutional-grade investing tools in more hands, and give people the machinery to own a services firm of their own.
02 · Messages & introductions
Copy, fill in the brackets, send.
Ask first, then introduce. A warm, specific introduction is the single best thing you can do for a referral.
Message
Ask before you introduce
Send first, so the introduction is always welcome.
Hi [First name], You mentioned [the project / the problem]. I know a team that does exactly this kind of work: a senior engineering team on one monthly retainer, rather than one-off projects. Would it be useful if I introduced you? No obligation, just a short first conversation. If you'd rather reach out yourself, it's blackshoretechnologies.com/contact. Just mention my name. [Your name]
Introduction: a team on retainer
For a business that needs software built, fixed or looked after.
Subject: Introduction: [Client company] <> Blackshore [First name], meet the team at Blackshore. Blackshore, meet [First name], [role] at [Client company]. [First name] is looking at [the project / the problem]. Blackshore gives businesses a senior engineering team on one predictable monthly retainer: building, hosting and improving their technology, with one accountable lead. I'll let you take it from here. [Your name]
Introduction: quant engineering
For a trading team whose research has outrun its engineering.
Subject: Introduction: [Name] <> Blackshore [Name], meet Blackshore. Blackshore, meet [Name] at [Firm]. [Name]'s team is working on [research / taking strategies live]. Blackshore builds QuantIDE and retains as a quantitative engineering team: data pipelines, venue connections, execution and monitoring, built in the team's own project. I'll let you two take it from here. [Your name]
Introduction: delivery behind an agency
For an agency owner turning down work.
Subject: Introduction: [Agency owner] <> Blackshore [Name], meet Blackshore. Blackshore, meet [Name], who runs [Agency]. [Agency] is winning more work than the team can staff. Blackshore delivers behind agencies' brands on a monthly delivery retainer, and never approaches the agency's clients. The client stays theirs. Over to you both. [Your name]
Short direct message
When you spot a signal in a post or an update.
Hi [First name], saw your post about [topic]. I work with a team that gives businesses a senior engineering team on one monthly retainer. Happy to introduce you if it would help. No pitch, just a conversation.
03 · Common questions
What you’ll hear, and what to say.
When in doubt, offer the conversation. We’ll answer the rest.
“What does it cost?”
Every retainer is a team sized to the client, so it’s set out in a written proposal after a first conversation. Never quote a number; offer the conversation.
“We already have a developer.”
Many clients do. A retainer adds senior depth around them: the specialisms, hosting, security and continuity a single person can’t carry alone.
“We only need one project.”
The retainer can be scoped to a single product and its care. The point is that someone stays accountable after launch.
“We’ve been burned by an agency before.”
That’s the most common reason people call. One accountable lead, an in-house team and work that’s looked after for the life of the client is the answer to it.
“Can you send me something?”
Send the one-pager for their situation from the toolkit, then offer the introduction.
04 · One-pagers
Something to send.
One page for each kind of client. Open one, then print it or save it as a PDF to attach.
05 · Guidelines
Protect your name, and ours.
The full brand kit, logos and partner agreement are on the Partner Portal.
Do
- +Introduce people you know and who trust you
- +Ask the client to mention your name when they get in touch
- +Describe the outcome: a senior team, one predictable monthly retainer
- +Let us handle scope, price and timelines
- +Tell us anything useful about the client’s situation
Don’t
- –Quote prices, timelines or guarantees
- –Promise specific people, features or terms
- –Send unsolicited bulk email in Blackshore’s name
- –Present yourself as a Blackshore employee
- –Introduce companies you have a conflict with without telling us
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Questions
Referral Partners