It’s taken me years to figure this out and I watched my business plateau—until I started this sprint that turned strangers into superfans, brought media to my door, and made my city cheer for my brand.
But now that I’ve (mostly) got it figured out. I’m giving you the roadmap I use to build a community that shows up for me every single week. But first, build your daily and weekly habit checklist. Building community doesn’t happen overnight, you have to work at finding your people. This checklist will get you started on your journey to building authentic relationships that drive revenue.
Start Here ⬇️ Create Your Habits
Be the Face. Put yourself on your website, emails, socials
Learn 10 customer names a day.
Send two DM’s to potential partnership plays
Tell one story or ask one question by email every week.
Focus on growing your email list weekly. Use QR codes, signs, auto DM. Move your social following to email.
Network at least 1x a week, always be top of mind.
Join 1 group like a chamber of commerce or women’s group.
If watched me speak at the She is Me Conference here’s the link to the full slide deck
This is a guide, copy and paste it into your own document and make it yours. Be yourself, and people will relate to you. The biggest change you can make in your business today is putting yourself out there. If you do nothing else, start there.
Goal: In 30 days, cycle across all three plays (Be Visible, Be Newsworthy, Be Partnered), grow your list, and generate a measurable sales lift.
Time budget: ~90 minutes-3hrs per week.
Primary KPIs: Sales lift vs baseline, new emails captured, repeat visit rate.
Secondary KPIs: Media mentions, partner reach, review count, social saves/shares.
Week 1 — Foundation & Visibility
Set targets, clean data, and start the Owner Visibility Routine.Week 2 — Newsworthy Setup
Shape a useful story, build a pitch, and line up timing. Remember pitch stories not ads!Week 3 — Partner Activation
Lock one collab (business or charity), assets, and joint promotion.Week 4 — Execute & Amplify
Run the activation or lto, capture data, repurpose, and book the next cycle.
Outcome: Targets defined, systems ready, visibility habits live.
Checklist
Define goals for your sprint (pick 2): 10–30% sales lift on a target day, 100 new emails, 20% return within 30 days, 1 media mention. It doesn’t have to be crazy. Just pick a goal or two.
Baseline check: Pull last four comparable days, weeks or months sales and foot traffic if your goal is sales lift. I suggest doing more than a single day event for your partnerships. At least a week. I prefer 1-2 months.
Create a simple Sprint Dashboard (Google Sheet with: date, sales, emails, new vs returning, media, top post).
Update local listings (Google, Yelp, FB hours, menus).
Draft your Owner Visibility Routine checklist and post it in your office.
Owner Visibility Routine (daily micro)
Learn 10 names and write them down.
Send 2 partner DMs.
Do 1 neighbor drop-by with a card/invite.
Ask for 1 review in person.
Email & Content
Build a Welcome Email with your founder story and a simple reply prompt.
Plan one weekly Story Email (behind the scenes, lesson, or customer spotlight).
Create one IG/FB Reel or photo set tied to your story email, start driving your social following to your email list.
Deliverables
Dashboard created
Welcome email live
Story email #1 drafted
Visibility Routine card printed
Targets
+10 reviews
25 new email sign ups
1 micro-collab lead from DMs
Outcome: One timely, useful pitch sent to local media/newsletters.
Find the angle
Pick one: community giveback with a measurable goal, or a local challenge with a useful response
Pitch Template
Subject: Segment idea for your morning show, Small Business Gives Back [DATE]
Hi [Producer],
Timely hook: In one line.
Visual: What viewers will see.
Community impact: Why it helps now.
My cell: [###]. Available [date/time] or [date/time].
Assets
1 photo set, 1 ten second clip, 1-paragraph blurb.
A mini run-of-show if they book you (what you will demo in 3 minutes).
Pro Tip: I prefer pitching directly to field reporters, but you have to EARN those connections. If you don’t have them start by emailing the news desk. You can also tag them on socials.
Email & Content
Send Story Email #1 (from Week 1).
Draft Story Email #2 with a soft invite to the upcoming partner activation (Week 3/4).
Post 1–2 social pieces that match the pitch angle.
Deliverables
Media list (3 producers, 2 community newsletters, 1 podcaster)
1 pitch sent, 1 follow-up scheduled
Photo/clip folder ready
Targets
1 media calendar listing or nibble
30 new emails
+5 reviews
Outcome: One collaboration locked with shared assets and dates.
Partner Hit List
10 charities/causes, 10 complementary businesses. Score by audience fit and responsiveness.
Offer Examples
Giveback week (percent of item/window),
Co-created special (limited time menu/service bundle), - this one is my FAV!
Pop-up at partner location (sampling, demo, mini-class).
Asset Swap Checklist
1 flyer (print + PNG), 1 story, 1 email each
3 posts each, shared UTM link
Day-of photo plan + 10s videos or longer format story videos if it’s a charity.
Email capture plan (tablet or QR form)
Email & Content
Send Story Email #2 with clear RSVP or Add-to-Calendar.
Create an IG/FB event, submit to local calendars.
DM 50 top customers and 20 micro-influencers with a personal invite.
Deliverables
Date set
Assets approved by both sides
Staff brief - don’t forget this step!
Targets
Confirm interest from customers, influencers, media
1 cross-post from partner per week, plus multiple emails. did you set your deliverables list???
Media follow-up sent
Outcome: Activation executed, results captured, next one booked.
Run of Show (Event Day/Window)
Pre-shift huddle. Staff script, email capture test.
Photo shot list: front sign, guests, order in hand, partner rep, team group.
Mid-window IG story update.
On-the-spot 10 second thank-you video with partner.
Track sales tagged to the promo/time window.
Recap & Repurpose (within 48 hours)
Post results graphic: “Together we raised [amount] / welcomed [#] new guests.”
Send Story Email #3 (recap + small bounceback offer).
Clip 2–3 short videos for LinkedIn/Reels.
Book next date before the week ends.
Deliverables
Dashboard filled
Recap post live
Next activation penciled
Targets
Sales lift 10–30% vs baseline
100+ emails captured total this month
20% of attendees return within 30 dayss
Pro tip: Have a loyalty program? Make sure you sign up all your new guests for loyalty.
Daily (Mon–Fri): Names x10, DMs x2, neighbor visit x1, ask for 1 review.
Weekly: 1 story email, 1 behind-the-scenes post, 1 partner task, dashboard update.
Monthly: 1 activation, 1 media pitch, 1 recap, book next.
In-person review ask
“If today felt five-star, would you mind dropping a quick review? It really helps locals find us.”
DM invite
“Quick invite, [Name]. On [date] we are supporting [Cause] with [offer]. Would love to see you. Details: [link]”
Email capture at door
“Want updates or to enter our raffle today? Add your email here. Thank you for being part of this.”
Media follow-up
“Hi [Name], quick bump on the [segment idea]. Visuals are ready and timing still works for [date/time]. Happy to send the run-of-show.”
Dashboard fields
Baseline sales (last 4 comps) vs sprint day sales
Emails captured (total, event day, organic)
New vs returning guests
Media mentions and reach
Reviews added
Partner posts and UTM traffic
Lessons learned, next test
Quick win formulas
Value per recipient (email): revenue attributed ÷ emails sent
Click-to-open (CTOR): clicks ÷ opens
Return rate: repeat visits within 30 days ÷ total attendees
Low response from media → add a community newsletter and one podcaster; change the angle to be more useful this week.
Partner delays → keep a backup partner on the list; swap to a micro-collab (sampling table or pop-up).
Staff confusion → single-page run-of-show and a five-minute pre-shift. Training is key.
Tracking gaps → make sure your accurately tracking sales for lto’s, promos or specials so you know how you’re performing.
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