| One very overlooked way that a small business | | | | available for donating a set dollar amount to the |
| owner can help to market their business is to | | | | event. This is great to do if it's in your budget but |
| volunteer in a community organization. As a | | | | remember it's not about just giving them money |
| volunteer with a local organization, you not only | | | | to place your logo on a flyer or a banner at the |
| are helping out the community and making a | | | | event. It's about really giving. Ask them how you |
| difference for others in your community, but you | | | | can participate in the event itself. |
| also get to network with other business owners | | | | Can you help stuff bags that are being handed |
| and prospects, building your relationships with | | | | out at the event? |
| them. | | | | How about helping check people in at the next |
| Community organizations are always looking for | | | | Charity golf outing? |
| people to volunteer to help their organization. | | | | This is more about building relationships and really |
| Many do look for donations for their fund raising | | | | helping out, not just getting your name out there. |
| events and such but many times, most of them | | | | 2. Join a local service organization - Local service |
| really need people that would be willing to donate | | | | organizations are a great way you can get |
| a few hours of their time to help with their | | | | involved.Kiwanis International, Lions Club, and |
| events and causes. | | | | Rotary Club are just a few places to start. These |
| Donating a little bit of your time can really help | | | | groups meet on a regular basis and their entire |
| their cause and help you contribute to your | | | | purpose is to work on ideas and events to help |
| community. At the same time, you will have the | | | | raise money for local community charities. This is |
| opportunity to be part of your community and | | | | like a networking group with the purpose to help |
| help develop better relationships with the other | | | | your community. Be active, look at one group |
| volunteers. Many of these volunteers are also | | | | that you see would be a great fit for your beliefs |
| business owners and managers just like you. | | | | and ideals and you will make a great contribution |
| Networking with other people that are all working | | | | to their cause. |
| for a similar cause can really help you as a | | | | Again, this is hands on stuff, your involvement |
| business owner build trust with your community | | | | with these groups is about being involved and |
| and the side effect of this is more people that | | | | helping the community, not about promoting your |
| would be happy to refer your business to anyone | | | | business. The relationships you build will give you |
| that might need the services or products you | | | | the side effect of more business and more sales. |
| supply. | | | | 3. What cause is close to your heart? - Most |
| Great businesses are built from great people and | | | | people have at least one thing that is near and |
| the relationships you and your employees have | | | | dear to them and there are always charities |
| with your community can position your business | | | | based around those causes. Maybe it's a Cancer |
| as more than just a company providing a service | | | | Research Group, or an Animal No Kill Shelter. |
| but a company with high ethics and a real purpose | | | | What is important to you? See what groups are |
| in your area. | | | | available in your area that you can volunteer with |
| Remember that everything you do has a cause | | | | and help them out. |
| and effect in the image and promotion of your | | | | Again, many of these organizations have other |
| business. | | | | business owners just like you that are there to |
| Let's look at a few great ways you can | | | | help because of their own personal interest in that |
| contribute to your community. | | | | cause. You have something in common with those |
| 1. Be active in Your Chamber Of Commerce - | | | | people right away and that's the start of a |
| Chambers Of Commerce are a great way to help | | | | relationship. |
| contribute. They are filled with businesses. Most | | | | The biggest thing to remember is that you should |
| are small businesses just like yours. The great | | | | not be joining any type of charity organization or |
| thing about Chambers is that they not only work | | | | community organization for the soul reason of |
| with business owners for promoting their | | | | getting more business. The business your get is a |
| businesses, but most of them are part of several | | | | byproduct of your involvement and giving to your |
| charities that they help contribute to. Talk to | | | | community for the greater good. Trust me on |
| them about the organizations they work with and | | | | this one. If you give from your heart and really |
| volunteer to help out with their next fund raising | | | | contribute to your community and society in |
| event. | | | | general, the return you get from it will be tenfold. |
| Many times, there are sponsorship opportunities | | | | |