Commission-Only partnership and deal finder

Introduce companies to partners or buyers and earn commission when a deal is signed.

A small team planning sales growth and client partnerships around a table.
Startup cost£100 to £1k
Monthly revenue£0 to £3.5k
Time needed6+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • £100-1k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

What it is

You connect businesses with distributors, resellers or large customers in a field you know, handling introductions and early conversations until a deal is agreed.

Your first three steps

  1. Choose a niche where you already have contacts, such as food producers or software firms
  2. Draft a simple commission agreement and have a solicitor or adviser check it
  3. Offer introductions to two or three businesses and keep a log of who you have approached
Who pays

Producers, software firms and service companies that want new sales channels but would rather pay only for results.

How it makes money

A percentage of the sales or a fixed fee per signed deal, set out in a written agreement. Some clients add a small monthly fee.

Skills that help
  • A good network in one industry
  • Negotiating and building trust
  • Clear written agreements and follow-up
Watch out for
  • Commission-only work can mean months without income, so keep other earnings or savings
  • Get terms in writing, covering how long you earn commission on repeat sales
  • Check whether your activity could count as a regulated one, for example in finance or insurance, which needs FCA authorisation
  • Check data protection rules when sharing contact details
  • Consider professional indemnity insurance

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: commission-only partnership and deal finder

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a commission-only deal business?

Startup costs are typically around £100 to £1,000, depending on what you spend on materials, a simple website, networking and any insurance. These are estimates, and your main investment is likely to be your time and contacts.

How much can a commission-only broker earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £0 to £3,500, depending on the deals you close and your commission terms. Commission-only work can mean months without income, so keep savings or other earnings in reserve.

What should I check before brokering deals for commission?

Get terms in writing, including how long you earn commission on repeat sales. Check whether your activity could count as regulated, for example in finance or insurance, which needs FCA authorisation. Also check data protection rules and consider professional indemnity insurance.

Other ways to run this business

Similar business services ideas

Photo: 089photoshootings on Pixabay

More ideas →