Purpose of This Step: To creatively and strategically identify ways you can serve your partner’s audience. This step helps you shift from “What can I get?” to “How can I give?”—and equips you to come into the connection call prepared with valuable, audience-relevant options.

What This Step Involves

Now that a partner has expressed interest, it’s time to brainstorm how you might collaborate. Your goal is to generate several potential ideas that are tailored to their platform and audience—so you’re not going into the call empty-handed.

Instructions

1. Start with the Partner in Mind
2. Write their name at the top of your brainstorming sheet or document.
3. Review what you know about their platform: Is it a podcast? Event series? Internal employee audience?
4. Who do they serve? What are those people seeking clarity, insight, or support around?
5. Explore Different Promotional Formats. Think beyond just “being a guest.” Consider a range of value-driven possibilities:
6. Guest appearance on a podcast
7. Co-hosted webinar or Q&A
8. Live stage session at a local event or conference
9. LinkedIn Live interview or collaborative post
10. Written article or guest blog
11. Internal training or “lunch and learn” for their team or membership
12. Generate Specific Topic Ideas
13. Think about the partner’s audience: What are they worried about? What challenges are they facing?
14. Tailor the topics to the partner’s platform and format. Keep it relevant, timely, and aligned with Medina McKelvey’s mission to turn legal chaos into workplace stability.
15. Example topic areas:
16. “How to Lead Through Legal Uncertainty in California Workplaces”
17. “Creating Stability Through Compliance: What HR Leaders Need to Know”
18. “The Culture-Litigation Connection: Why Trust Is Your Best Legal Strategy”
19. Use the Worksheet (Optional)
20. List the partner’s name.
21. Document the possible platforms (podcast, stage, blog).
22. Record your top 3 topic ideas.
23. Highlight your favorite idea—the one you believe will be most valuable for their audience.
24. Consider One-Time vs. Recurring Options
25. Could this be a quarterly guest spot?
26. Is there potential to turn this into a standing resource partnership?
27. Does this fit into a larger content series they’re building?

Pro Tips

• Think like a true partner, not a guest. How can this be a win for their audience and their brand?
• Bring 2–3 ideas to the call, but stay open to tailoring or co-developing the final direction.
• Prioritize clarity and service. Be specific, relevant, and generous.

What Success Looks Like

• You’ve brainstormed 2–3 clear ways to serve this partner’s audience.
• You’ve matched formats and topics to the partner’s platform and needs.
• You’re prepared to offer value and flexibility during the connection call.

Next Step

Move on to Step 6: Host the Connection Call. You’ll use the ideas you’ve generated here to guide a collaborative conversation that defines the partnership.