Stronger Together: Cross Promotion
- ameliaprintdesign
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
Week 1: Cross-Promote One Another
In a small town, your fellow businesses aren’t just your neighbors, they’re potential partners, promoters, and co-creators. Cross-promotion allows you to tap into each other’s audiences, share the spotlight, and provide more value to your community, without spending a ton on advertising.
Whether you team up for an event, a product bundle, or a seasonal promotion, collaboration is where creativity meets community.
How to Approach Other Businesses for Collaboration
If the idea of reaching out to another business makes you nervous — you’re not alone. But collaboration doesn’t have to be complicated (or awkward). In fact, most small business owners love the chance to partner up — especially when it’s mutual, creative, and community-focused.
Turning a Hello into a Partnership
Start with Support
Before you make the ask, show some love. Follow their business on social media, engage with their posts, leave a kind review, or stop by their store. Building a relationship naturally makes a big ask feel more like a friendly opportunity.
Keep It Simple
Reach out with a short message that shares:
Who you are
What you love about their business
Why you think you’d make a great team
A clear, specific idea to collaborate on
Example Message:“Hey! I’m Kari from Amelia Print + Design — I’ve always loved your sourdough and thought it would be fun to team up for a fall promo. Maybe a ‘Fresh Bread + Fresh Prints’ bundle for local gift-givers? I’d love to chat more if you're interested!”
Offer Ideas, But Stay Open
Come to the table with a few ideas, but leave room for their creativity too. Think seasonal promos, shared giveaways, event collabs, or bundled products.
Suggest a Low-Stress Trial
Not every collab needs to be big or permanent. Propose a one-time event or short promotion first. It’s a great way to test the waters and build trust.
Keep It Clear
Once you agree on something, make sure you're both on the same page: who's doing what, who’s covering what cost (if any), and when things will happen. A quick bullet-point email or shared doc goes a long way.
Remember: You don’t have to be a big business to bring a great idea to the table. Authentic, down-to-earth partnerships are what make small-town business magic happen.
Collaboration Ideas:
Here are specific cross-promotion ideas for small-town favorites and how your friendly neighborhood print shop (that’s us!) can help bring them to life:
Bookshop + Local Restaurant
Event Idea: “Books + Bites” Night
Host a monthly dinner with a themed book pick, local authors, cookbooks, or historical fiction followed by discussion or live reading.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Flyers or posters in both locations
Custom bookmarks with book club/event info
Branded menus or recipe cards tied to the theme
Design Business (That’s Us!) + Any Local Business
Offer Idea: “Freshen Up Your Brand” Collab
You design a seasonal refresh (social media graphics, signage, labels, or packaging), and the partner business promotes your services alongside the makeover reveal.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Before/after print displays in their store
A joint social media series
A shared flyer or mini catalog of services
Coffee Shop + Hardware Store
Promo Idea: “Toolbox Tuesdays”
Offer coffee at the hardware store one morning a week for DIY-ers and contractors, sponsored by the coffee shop. Promote local trades and spark word-of-mouth.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Branded coffee sleeves with “Toolbox Tuesday” promos
Window clings or outdoor banners for both locations
Loyalty cards that span both businesses
Local Restaurants + Boutique or Gift Shop
Event Idea: Shop + Dine Passport
Encourage shopping small by offering a punch card or passport, visit 3 local shops and get a discount or dessert at a participating restaurant or shop.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Printed passports or cards (we can design + print)
Window signs and shelf talkers
Instagram-ready signage or stickers for each “stop”
Bookstore + Bakery
Product Bundle: “Page Turners + Pastries”
Pair a new release or classic favorite with a themed treat, lemon cakes for Pride + Prejudice, Pumpkin Pasties for Harry Potter or a spooky cookie set for Stephen King fans.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Printed treat tags with quotes or QR codes
Seasonal bundle packaging design
Table signs for both shop counters
Coffee Shop + Local Artist or Maker
Pop-Up Idea: Saturday Sip + Shop
Set up a rotating pop-up booth in the coffee shop for artists, crafters, or local vendors. You get the foot traffic, they get the exposure.
🎨 Bonus Idea: Host a Live Class or WorkshopTake it a step further by inviting a local artist or maker to teach a hands-on workshop right in the shop during slower hours or evenings.
Think: Paint + Sip Saturdays, Macramé + Mochas, Block Printing + Brews, or Latte & Lettering.
Use your print shop (👋) to create custom signage, class kits, branded stickers, or tickets.
You can even print and sell art kits, class add-ons, or exclusive merch in advance.
This not only builds community but also turns your space into a creative hub, making your business a destination, not just a stop.
Cross-Promo Tools:
Weekly mini posters or event cards
Coffee cup stickers featuring the artist’s work
Loyalty rewards tied to featured makers
🛠️ Hardware Store + 🏡 Real Estate Agent
Welcome Home Kit: Collaborate on a housewarming package for new homeowners — maybe tools, coupons, and a flyer featuring other local businesses (like your print shop!).
Cross-Promo Tools:
Branded folders or welcome booklets
Discount cards for local services
Yard signs or open house printables
How Amelia Print + Design Fits In
No matter what kind of collaboration you're planning — a pop-up event, a seasonal bundle, or a full cross-promotion campaign — we're here to make it look good, feel cohesive, and run smoothly. At Amelia Print + Design, we specialize in helping small businesses shine with professional print materials, standout signage, custom packaging, and eye-catching graphics that tie it all together. Think of us as your behind-the-scenes partner, ready to bring your shared vision to life.
Design and print co-branded flyers, coupons, and punch cards
Create signage, stickers, and labels that promote your bundle or event
Offer discounted printing for multi-business projects
Help develop a branded theme across digital and print platforms
Turn your collab into a buzzworthy social media moment (graphics, carousel posts, etc.)
Collaboration Kickoff Checklist
Ready to team up but not sure where to start? Whether you’re planning a pop-up event, bundled promotion, or seasonal campaign, having a plan in place makes all the difference. We've designed a checklist that will help you and your collaborators get aligned, stay organized, and make the most of your partnership — from idea to execution.
Download you're free checklist here:
Collaboration isn’t about competition — it’s about community. Whether it’s coffee + candles, books + baked goods, or hammers + housewarming cards, there’s always a way to lift each other up and get creative while doing it.
Ready to cross-promote something fun? Let’s design something together.
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