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10 Tips To Promote Your Small Business Through Community Involvement

Posted on | May 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

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Promoting a small business is tough. 

With owners often too busy handling the day-to-day business demands, many have neither the time nor the resources to plan for and follow-through on marketing activities.  Yet one thing I’ve noticed – in both long-standing successful businesses and strong start-ups – is a direct level of community involvement of the business/business owner. 

This marketing approach really only consists of two things:  a) being a public figure in your community and b) leveraging your business as a community benefactor.  In this age of limited funding, who doesn’t love a community sponsor?  Compare the cost and impact of viewing your business name on dozens of minor sports uniforms or at a community event as opposed to a quarter-page advertisement … it’s all about value.

Here’s 10 other tips and ways to get involved in marketing your small business to your community …

  1. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend networking events.  Don’t have one?  Create a local networking group!
  2. Sponsor a local festival or event and volunteer to work or chair a committee.
  3. Sponsor a local youth sports team or league.
  4. Join at least one civic or social organization.
  5. Participate or volunteer for a local Junior Achievement program.
  6. Purchase or volunteer for a segment of an “Adopt a Road” program or with a community beautification group.
  7. Underwrite or support local arts or cultural activities.
  8. Sponsor a team, or start your own, in a local road race.
  9. Get in the local parade with a float or other entry and throw really, really good candy to the crowds (if permitted).
  10. Offer in-kind services to charities, programs, etc. that capitalize on your skills, talents or business areas.

While running a small business is demanding, it’s critical to be active in some aspect of the community outside of business hours, whether it’s your kids’ schools, a local civic organization or in a place of worship.  When people see you ‘outside the shop,’ it’s another opportunity to build relationships and show that you’re more than your businesses’ bottom line. 

Please share any other ideas or activities in the comments section!

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Comments

One Response to “10 Tips To Promote Your Small Business Through Community Involvement”

  1. How to Become Involved in Your Community |
    August 31st, 2011 @ 2:37 pm

    [...] business is still in its infant stages of building a brand and customer base, you may want to add community involvement as part of your marketing [...]

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