Collaborate. Create. Connect.

At Small Business Milwaukee, we help small business owners join forces through Custom Co-Branded Collaborations—strategic marketing campaigns built for shared visibility, expert positioning, and meaningful audience engagement. These aren’t just casual cross-promotions. Each collaboration is carefully developed around a central theme or service overlap, combining your expertise with that of a complementary business to create a unified, professional, and results-driven campaign.

Think: a business coach and brand photographer teaming up for a fall “refresh your presence” campaign. Or a handyman and realtor launching a “Ready to List” spring service bundle. From idea to execution, we help you build something that looks polished, feels purposeful, and reaches both your audiences with value they’ll remember.

Below, you’ll find a list of suggested small business collaborations and the content we help you develop for such pairings. Also check out our featured collaboration: Unlocking Dynamic Synergies to see what’s possible when businesses collaborate with intention.

This is all meant to spark your imagination. We want you to excite you with possibilities. And if you’re curious about what a collaboration could look like for you—or if you already have a business partner or two in mind—give us a call. We’d love to help you explore your next steps.

Suggested Pairings for a Dentist:

• Chiropractor – “Align & Shine” campaign focused on posture and oral health
• Mental Health Professional – Addressing dental anxiety and whole-body wellness
• Med Spa or Aesthetician – Smile and skin care bundles: teeth whitening + facials
• Children’s Bookstore or Toy Shop – Kids’ oral hygiene awareness event (Tooth Fairy Week!)
• Daycare or Preschool – Parent education workshops or fun toothbrushing kits
• Local Photographer – “Smile Session” promo for headshots or family portraits
• Copywriter or Blogger – Joint blog series like “5 Things Your Dentist Wishes You Knew”

Suggested Pairings for a Handyman:

• Realtor
  “Ready to List?” prep package—repairs + staging support before going on the market
• Landscaper
  “Curb Appeal Duo”—outdoor fixes + yard upgrades before summer or sale season
• Window Treatment Specialist
  “Hang It Right” service—curtains, blinds, and rods installed with care
• Art Studio or Gallery
  “Wall Ready” bundle—art purchase + secure professional hanging service
• Property Manager or Airbnb Host
  Routine maintenance + on-call repair packages for rentals or short-term stays
• Professional Cleaner
  “Home Refresh Bundle”—deep clean + minor repairs in one convenient service

Suggested Pairings for an Insurance Agent

• Estate Planning Attorney
  Joint campaign around wills, trusts, and life insurance—“Cover All Your Bases”
• Tax Professional or CPA
  Cross-referral or educational webinar on tax-smart insurance strategies
• Handyman or Contractor
  Bundle messaging for property owners: maintain your home and protect your investment
• Mechanic or Auto Body Shop
  “Accident Ready” campaign—what to do after a fender bender, including claims tips.
• Health Coach or Wellness Center
  Promote whole-life wellness—physical, financial, emotional security
• Photographer
  Special campaign around insuring heirlooms, collectibles, or equipment

Suggested Pairings for an IT Consultant

• HR Consultant
  Internal system safety + employee cybersecurity training package
• Bookkeeper or Accountant
  Joint content on secure financial platforms, cloud-based tools, and password protection
• Marketing Consultant
  Pair strategy with functionality—ensuring websites, email systems, and funnels are secure and effective
• Insurance Agent
  “Protect What Matters” campaign—cyber liability insurance + tech safeguards for businesses
• Coworking Space Owner
  Tech onboarding for new tenants, troubleshooting sessions, or sponsored workshops
• Attorney
  “Compliance + Cybersecurity” bundle — guidance on data privacy laws (like HIPAA or GDPR) paired with technical solutions that keep sensitive client and business data protected

Collaboration elements could include:

• Suggested Formats: e-book, workshop, blog series, video series, webinars, mini-courses, local event, or giveaway
• Detailed Project Blueprint: including timeline, content flow, roles, and responsibilities
• Course Syllabus or Workshop Outline: with suggested session titles, talking points, and activities
• Guide to Creating an E-book or Digital Download: plus formatting and publishing tips
• Templates: for social media graphics, e-book layouts, videos, or presentation decks
• A Suggested E-book Introduction and Cover Design
• Prewritten Social Media Captions: tailored to each collaborator’s voice and audience
• Joint Email Copy: for launch announcements, invites, or follow-ups
• Video Script Outlines or Interview Questions: for co-hosted clips, intros, or case studies
• A Custom Blog or Article Outline: to co-author or ghostwrite for maximum visibility
• Campaign Taglines and Messaging Hooks: to give your collaboration a cohesive voice
• Launch Timeline + Posting Schedule: broken down into pre-launch, launch, and follow-up phases
• Suggested Hashtags and Promo Angles: to reach wider audiences
• Next Steps Guide: with options for follow-up campaigns, ongoing content, or seasonal refreshes
• Local Media Pitch Template: to help you promote the campaign in newsletters, event calendars, or press
• Community Engagement Ideas: such as Instagram giveaways, pop-ups, or live Q&As

Sample Collaboration: Unlocking Dynamic Synergies

A Marketing and Finance Collaboration prepared for a Marketing Coach and a Banking Advisor

Campaign Theme:
“Unlocking Dynamic Synergies: Bridging the Gap Between Marketing & Finance for Small Business Growth”

Campaign Elements Include:

E-Book Concept & Template

• Title: Unlocking Dynamic Synergies
• Suggested Introduction: Focuses on the importance of collaboration between departments often siloed—marketing and finance.
• Chapter Structure: Co-written by both collaborators with alternating insights
• Provides: Custom e-book template, cover design, layout guide

Workshop & Class Outline

• Topic: Aligning Budgets with Brand Strategy
• Target Audience: Solopreneurs, microbusiness owners, startup teams
• Includes: Syllabus, slide deck outline, engagement strategies, and registration promo copy

Video Script & Presentation Template

• Format: 5–7 minute intro video to promote the collaboration
• Style: Conversational, co-presented by Marketing Coach & Banking Advisor
• Provided: Script, suggested B-roll, thumbnail template

Blog Series Outline

• Series Title: The Strategy & Spend Series
• 3-Part Format: “What Marketing Needs to Know About Finance,” “What Finance Needs to Know About Marketing,” and “Finding the Middle Ground”
• Post templates and recommended publishing schedule included

Social Media Content Pack

• 6 co-branded posts (3 per person) to promote the e-book, video, and upcoming workshop
• Captions and visuals aligned with campaign branding

Project Blueprint & Next Steps

• Timeline for deliverables, suggested launch schedule
• Clear division of responsibilities between partners
• Optional add-ons: PR outreach, newsletter placement, podcast interview opportunities

Achievables:

• Establish both partners as industry leaders
• Attract new leads through shared promotion
• Provide lasting value in the form of evergreen content
• Strengthen professional credibility through collaboration

Is a Co-Branded Collaboration Right for You?

• Do you have a business partner or neighboring business with similar audiences?
• Are you looking to share marketing costs and amplify your impact?
• Want to try something creative without doing it all yourself?