When you created your business, you most likely were trying to fulfill a certain set of needs. Whether it be providing financially for yourself, or trying to help others by providing a product or service. Your marketing efforts have a similar mindset. You are marketing your business to create a successful small business to provide financially for yourself and to ensure that you are taking the right steps necessary to make sure your potential customers are aware of your product or service.
We understand that with competition in your industry that you need to focus your time and money on implementing a marketing strategy that will make your business profitable. But let’s take a moment to focus on marketing as a humanitarian approach. You already know that being less intrusive and more helpful in your marketing efforts is the best way to leverage your resources. Marketing isn’t always about making money, it’s also used to raise awareness.
Owning a successful small business means that you most likely had the support of your local community and it is now time to give back to that community. You have a responsibility to be intentional with your outreach. But what can your business do to give back and help others? Here are 5 ways that your business can help the community.
1. Donate Services to a Non-Profit Organization
If you own a window washing service, a sandwich shop or even a computer software company, you too can donate your product or services to an organization in need. All you have to do is call the local organization and ask if they would like to have its windows washed for free, provide free lunches for a staff meeting, or provide a free training on how to use computers. Our guess is that they will welcome your services!
2. Sponsor a Community Organization
There will never be a shortage of classrooms or organizations that need help buying soccer balls, paint brushes or instruments. You can sponsor a local softball team, violin club or even your local public library. There are many causes out there that can benefit from your kindness and generosity.
3. Participate at Career Days
Speaking at Career Days is a fairly common practice among elementary schools and high schools. You can go to a classroom’s career day and speak on the importance of owning a business, the challenges and benefits. You too can give inspiration to the next generation by instilling in them the value of hard work and dedication. These moments can be priceless to children and wouldn’t cost you a thing aside from your time.
4. Hold a Fundraiser
This option takes more time and money to accomplish. Holding a fundraiser for an important cause can be a great way to give back to your community while getting your name out there. Think that you can’t pull something off by yourself? Ask or invite other businesses to participate or help!
5. Donate Percentage of Sales
If the ideas above seem like too big of a stretch then you can always donate a portion of your sales to a good cause. This can be anything from a one-time donation to a monthly contribution.
By giving back to the community, you are not only helping others in your town, but believe it or not you are working on your marketing. When you share with the community that 2% of your monthly sales for the month of April goes to the local humane animal shelter, you are gaining attention and possibly increasing sales just by supporting an organization. A potential customer might choose to buy your product over going someplace else specifically because they feel like they are helping the cause. Plus, your company becomes known for giving back.
Thinking outside the box to create a strategy to increase business is important to surviving in your industry but also to have a successful small business. Taking the time to help others will create many opportunities for your business that you may not have had the access to. This type of marketing is very powerful and we encourage you to give it a try.
Since 2002, Half a Bubble Out has been dedicated to providing marketing, advertising and small business consulting that meet the needs of our clients. We specialize in powerfully telling stories through inbound marketing to grow your business filled with more passion and provision. Based in Chico California, we serve clients throughout Northern California and across the country to New York.
