When warm marketing, it’s tempting to step into the hero role—swooping in to “save the day” with your marketing and collaborative efforts. However, it’s essential to remember that the spotlight belongs to the local business. They are the hero; you are the support. I’ll admit, I sometimes forget this rule. It’s easy to get excited and caught up in helping others. But when creating content, the focus must always stay on them—they need to be the center of attention. Why? Beyond the obvious benefits of giving and altruism, this approach builds relationships. Think about it: if you had a friend who always hogged the spotlight and stole your moments to shine, how long would you enjoy their company? The same applies to marketing. Letting the business take center stage makes them feel important, seen, and supported. And that is what truly matters. To establish trust and build strong relationships, we must prioritize giving first. Put the business’s needs before your own. When you give without expecting anything in return, you’ll be amazed at the good things that come your way.

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One of the main reasons warm marketing is so effective is that it helps you build trust within your community. And trust isn’t just a bonus, it’s a cornerstone of success in sales. If someone doesn’t trust you, they’re not going to spend their money or time with you. It’s that simple. When you invest your time and effort into helping a local business owner succeed, you’re not just offering support, you’re establishing credibility and building a meaningful connection. By helping them market their products or services without expecting an immediate return, you’re not only gaining their respect but also earning the trust of their audience. In essence, you’re expanding your reach and strengthening your reputation—without any hard sells. Collaborating with local businesses isn’t just generous—it’s strategic. It’s the most effective way to get in front of more people at once, grow your visibility, and strengthen your reputation. When your platforms work together with theirs, everyone wins. The secret sauce? Intention and authenticity. When you approach warm marketing with these two things, you’re not just promoting yourself—you’re fostering the community trust your business needs to thrive.

New Year, new goals, and warm marketing needs to be a priority for your business, but where do you start? Simple: with you. The values of your business need to be clear before you can ever find who you want to meet and collaborate with. Who are you as a company, as an entrepreneur, what do you believe in, what do you want to be and achieve? Once you know you, then we can move forward with the how. Call to action: this week be sure you establish your company values.

It is a Friday, almost to the weekend, or as we entrepreneurs call it - the next two days. So I wanted to toss it back to you: what topics do you want covered to help your business? What do you think will help the next part of your warm marketing journey?