We’ve said it once, we’ve said it twice, who knows, we’ve probably said it one hundred times by now. Staying in a “Me First” attitude will get you nowhere. When you and your business actively work together with the community, magic happens.
If you are a small business, support from your local community can do wonders. We found a really insightful article written by Larne Onibalusi for Entrepreneur.com that we had to share. He discusses “5 Ways Small Businesses Can Endear Themselves to the Community.”
Let’s dive in, shall we?
- “Employing locals” Of course, you want to hire the best people with the best skill set for your particular field, but if those people can be found locally, that is even better. When you employ from the pool of locals, your employees feel a stronger sense of community loyalty. Plus, they know the area and environment better, which will come in handy.
- “Holding events” You’ll want to build up a strong relationship with your local customers. Now, not all of your customers will be local, but for the ones who are, what better way to engage them than to invite them to a social gathering? They will be that much more likely to choose you over your competitors. Namely because they can put a face to the name. It’s not some abstract decision– they will have interacted with you and engaged with your brand. Plus they will associate you with a positive experience!
- “Volunteering for a good cause” This is always a good idea. Take a half day and have the whole office participate in some good ol’ fashion community service. Find out if your local food bank needs a helping hand or if you could clean up a community park or beach (depending on your location). Not only are you doing a good deed, your company’s reputation becomes synonymous with charitable actions.
- “Sponsorships” You really can’t go wrong with a mentorship program. Take the time to invest in the young citizens’ future by starting a scholarship fund or a mentoring program. If you are able, set up something that will directly impact your community. Again, your brand will be remembered for doing good things for your local community. The more that is true, the more they will want to interact with your brand// purchase your goods or services.
- “Charitable donations” Along the same lines as volunteering or setting up scholarships, it is even easier to donate to a local charity. It takes almost no time at all to write a check for a good cause. If you just do not have the time or funds to start a sponsorship program, this is the next best thing. You are directly helping a local charity by donating and spreading the word of their cause. In turn, they can spread the word of your business.
Creating a profitable business is hard work. Sometimes giving back to the community is a step forward in brand awareness. It can be difficult to endear yourself to your local community, but by showing them that you are philanthropic and local-oriented, you’re setting yourself up for future success.
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