Digital marketing and a businesses’ online presence have become so important that sometimes, it’s easy to forget that more traditional forms of advertising, marketing, and engagement work too. For example, right now might be a good time to evaluate ways that your business can get involved in the local community, particularly if you’re service-based or you have a brick-and-mortar component to your business.
The more active you are in your community, the more people are going to turn to you when they need what your business offers. Also, consumers like to do business with people they feel reflect their values.
With that in mind, the following are some ideas businesses can use to get involved.
1. Sponsor an Event
There are so many ways to sponsor a local event. For example, maybe you buy a tent for a racing event and brand it while providing information about your business. You could sponsor a youth sporting event, a charity event, a festival or anything that you feel like is a good fit for your business.
When you’re sponsoring a community event, try to think about where your targeted customers are most likely to be spending time. That can help you narrow down the options and choose something that’s in line with your brand.
2. Volunteer
When you volunteer as a company, there are a lot of potential benefits that can come from it.
First, you’re giving back. Second, you’re making your presence known in your community. One of the third benefits is that it’s a good way to highlight what your company values are. You’re socially responsible, and it can be good for team-building and corporate culture.
You might even be able to not only market to possible customers, but it can be a good opportunity to attract potential new employees to your company.
3. Join Your Chamber of Commerce
Joining your local chamber of commerce remains a valuable way to be part of your community, network with other small business owners, and position yourself as an authority in your industry or niche.
You can also identify potential partnerships with small business owners when you join your chamber of commerce, exposing each of you to the benefits of having access to one another’s customers or clients.
4. Have a Fundraiser
You can volunteer your time as part of being engaged with your community, but another option is to have a fundraiser for a cause that you’re interested in. You can use the fundraiser as part of your marketing, and you may meet new people by partnering with the organization you’re raising money for.
5. Partner With Another Local Business
This was mentioned above, but formingpartnerships with other small businesses is a good way to get involved in your community and improve your visibility. How you partner will depend on your industry and your goals.
For example, maybe you team up to host an event together.
6. Teach a Class or Seminar
If you’re a business owner, then you very likely have a certain skillset, or you may have knowledge that other people would find beneficial. Maybe it’s the fact that you know how to run a business in and of itself.
If so, get involved in your community by teaching a class or seminar. You could have your own event, or you can contact your local community college.
7. Attend Community Meetings
As a business owner, what’s going on in your community is probably important to you. Show that by attending meetings such as city council meetings.
This shows that you are an active and involved part of your community and, depending on whether you speak or participate, can also put your business front and center. Just make sure that you’re positive in your input.
At the meeting itself, you’ll be connecting with local policymakers, concerned citizens, and other business owners.
8. Join a Nonprofit Board
Finally, if you have the opportunity to join the board of a nonprofit, take it.
If you do get invited to join a board of directors, take it as the honor that it is. You may be asked because you have a personal interest in the nonprofit or because you have a skill set the organization thinks could be valuable for them.
When you’re on a nonprofit board, you’re giving back to something that you think is worthwhile, and you’re helping to change lives.
It’s also a chance to learn and grow, and you can meet other community leaders. Plus, your name will be included in a lot of the marketing that the nonprofit does.
Also read: Internal Branding: What is It and How Do It Right?
