Give and Your Business Shall Receive
by Leeia Ladipoh on March 6th, 2008
Much of the secret to making your business successful is finding ways to get your name known. While many people turn to advertising, you may not have a big enough marketing budget to get you very far.
Getting involved in local events and charity organizations may be a way to get a little more name recognition for a low price, while doing a little good work at the same time.
No matter the size of the town your business is located in, there are always a number of charity events going on. From fundraisers for disadvantaged families to raising money for medical research, there are as many causes out there as there are dollars.
Donating Your Time
For the organizers of these charity events, it’s tough to get the help they need to run them, and the prizes that can be given away, or auctioned off, at the end of the day.
This is where you and your business come in. You can offer to donate your time, services and products to these events.
When it comes to donating your time, make sure that when you are volunteering you are wearing your company shirt. It also won’t hurt to wear a nametag letting people know who you are and the name of your company.
This allows people to see you out in the public and see that you are willing to give back to the community. This kind of goodwill makes people want to do business with you.
Donating Your Products
Whether you have a service-oriented business or a retail establishment, there are things that you have that are of value to others. These are the items your local charity organizers could use for their prizes or auctions, in their attempts to raise more money for their cause. When you donate these items, there is usually a tag put next to the item mentioning the name of the donating company (that’s your business).
Additionally, there are often verbal mentions of the company on a loudspeaker during the announcement of the auction or prize awards. This is cheap or free advertising for you!
Selecting a Charity to Work With
Once you know that working with a charity is something you want to do, you will have to select the charity that is right for your company. You cannot help every charity in need; there are far too many for you to be able to support every one. Therefore, you need to select one or a few that are a good fit for your company.
What do you and your employees believe in? If you can find charities that mesh with the kind of work you do, or the thoughts and beliefs that you and your employees share, you are on the right track. With the vast number of charities out there, you should be able to find one that is a natural choice for your business.
For example, if you run a toy store, a children’s charity would be a perfect pick. If you are a physical therapist, you may want to work with a sports-related charity or one that supports medical research. Think of what your company is and does and find a charity that works for you.
Getting your business involved in charity work can be rewarding in a number of ways. Not only can it be a way to get your company’s name out in the market, but it is also a great way to give back to your community and those in need.