Participating in the community is always a great way to promote a local business, but most business owners have no idea where to start. Consider any of these 8 tips to help your community and promote your business at the same time.
1. Attend local chamber of commerce meetings
By attending local chamber of commerce meetings you can network with other business owners and influential members of the community. These meetings are also good to attend as you can get a feel for the mood of your community. This can help you decide what causes are important in the community, and what other actions you should take.
2. Offer discounted or free products to service people
Giving a sizeable discount, or even offering free services, to specific groups is another great way to get your business involved in the community. Firefighters, teachers, nurses, etc. are all groups that can benefit from these programs. For a great example of helping the community, check out information on the RDTC Appreciation Month.
3. Participate in community coupon books
Elementary schools and other non-profit organizations frequently sell coupon books as a fundraiser. Being featured in these books not only can drive local customers to your store, but it also sends potential customers a good feeling about your business.
4. Join a local business owners association
Every city has local business owners associations. If you want to promote your business or make alliances with other businesses then joining one is a must.
5. Speak at a local business association
In addition to attending local business associations, why not speak at one? If you have something interesting to say this can be a great way to get recognized by other business owners. While your speech should remain on topic, you can easily drop a few mentions of your business and the services you provide.
6. Sponsor a fundraiser or charity event
By sponsoring a local fundraise or charity event you can help out those in need while also making a name for your business. These types of events can range from a small bake sale all the way to a community carnival, depending on your budget.
7. Sponsor a local sports team
This may begin to get a little too expensive for some small business owners, but if you want your store to get recognized in the community sponsoring a local sports team is a great way to do it! Additionally, you can claim the expenses as charitable contributions and receive tax benefits.
8. Run for a local office
If you decide to run for a local office it will be a huge commitment, but it will give you the ability to really make a difference in your community. There are dozens of local offices you can run for, but make sure to choose a part-time one that will not take too much time away from your regular position.
