If you advise small businesses, you hear the same sentence every year: “I think our computers are fine.” Sometimes they are not. A client’s insurer asks about multi-factor authentication, a regulator expects a written security plan or a bad email costs a week of work. You do not want to be the person who guessed at the answer, and you cannot be everyone’s IT department. A trusted referral partner closes that gap.
That is where a referral partner makes the difference: a good introduction helps. Zippie IT is a veteran-owned managed IT and cybersecurity company in Meridian, Idaho, and we work with advisors across the Treasure Valley who want a trustworthy place to send clients.
Who can be a referral partner
- Insurance agents and brokers, whose clients face cyber insurance questionnaires.
- CPAs, bookkeepers and tax preparers, whose clients hold sensitive financial records.
- Attorneys, whose clients ask about security in contracts and disputes.
- Bankers and lenders, who see businesses before and after a loss.
- Other IT and telecom providers who want a partner for compliance or security work outside their scope.
What your client gets from us
We start with a free network and security review, a written report within about a day of getting access and a conversation with no obligation. From there, clients choose what fits: ongoing managed IT, cybersecurity, backup and disaster recovery, cyber insurance readiness or an assessment for HIPAA, PCI DSS or CMMC. For sector detail, see our pages for law firms, accounting and tax firms and insurance agencies.
How an introduction works
- You mention us, or send a short note with your client’s contact details and what prompted the question.
- We contact the client within one business day, and nothing is sent to anyone without their agreement.
- We run the review and talk through the findings with the client.
- With the client’s permission, we tell you what happened, in general terms, so you can follow up on a questionnaire or a policy.
We do not share a client’s confidential information with you unless they say we can.
What you can expect from us
- Plain language. We explain problems the way a business owner needs to hear them.
- Honest scoping. If a client does not need us, we say so.
- No surprises on cost. Our monthly pricing is fixed and written down.
- A returned favor. When one of our clients needs an insurance agent, an accountant or an attorney, we are glad to introduce people we trust.
What we do not do
We do not pay or accept referral fees, and we do not ask for exclusivity. Fee arrangements can raise legal and ethical questions in some professions, so the only arrangement here is a good introduction in each direction. We do not give legal, tax or insurance advice, and we are not your client’s compliance officer.
Get started
To introduce a client, contact us or call (208) 810-1795. If you would like to meet first, we are happy to talk over coffee in Meridian or on a call, and to show you what a review looks like. You can also send your clients straight to our free review page. To meet first, book a referral partner meeting online.
Book a referral partner meetingor call (208) 810-1795
We use your details to respond to your request. If you want details, see our Privacy Policy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a referral partner?
Introduce a client, or contact us to meet first. There is no application, no fee and no exclusivity.
Do you pay referral fees?
No, and we do not accept them. Some professions restrict fee arrangements, so we keep it simple: good introductions in both directions.
What happens after I introduce a client?
We contact them within one business day, run a free review if they want one and explain the findings. With their permission, we tell you the outcome in general terms.
Will you contact my client’s other advisors?
Only if the client asks us to. We keep client information private.
What kinds of clients are a fit?
Small and medium businesses in the Treasure Valley and beyond, typically with 5 to 75 employees, including healthcare practices, professional firms, contractors, nonprofits and defense suppliers.
Can you help a client with an insurance questionnaire?
Yes. We help answer it accurately and fix any gaps it reveals. The client and their agent decide what to submit.
Can we refer our own clients to you and still support them ourselves?
Yes. We work alongside the advisor, not in place of them.