There’s something special about making a difference in your community. Whether you’re a solopreneur or you lead a team at a promo company, getting involved isn’t just good for business, but it can add a deeper purpose to your work. From offering your skills to lending a hand to causes you care about, you can make a meaningful impact in all kinds of ways.
Where do you start? Journalist Geoff Williams contributed a piece for the American Express blog that explains how you can get your business involved in your local community. We share his insight in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Become involved with a cause. What tugs at your heartstrings? Maybe you want to provide shelter and food for homeless animals or make sure local kids have the school supplies they need. Consider giving back 1% of your profits to an organization that aligns with your interests. You likely won’t feel it much, but your giving will add up.
Bring a cause into your business. You don’t necessarily need to donate a portion of your profits to make your company more community-oriented. For example, Williams says you could do a lot of good by making a policy of hiring refugees or creating an internship program for underserved youth. Making your company more energy-efficient is another way of bringing a cause into your business.
Do pro bono work. Williams says you could also consider giving some of your promo expertise to local nonprofits. For example, you could help a nonprofit brainstorm low-cost, high-impact promo ideas for their next fundraiser. Or you could offer a free marketing consultation to help an organization refine their messaging and choose the right promo items.
Get involved in a charitable event. Are you passionate about the arts? Consider helping a local museum get the word out about their fundraising events or membership opportunities. You may not see your profits skyrocket by working with nonprofits, Williams says, but you’ll end up feeling good about what your business can do.
Do something special for your community. Think about how your talents could benefit the people right in your community. For instance, you could partner with a local youth program to teach teens about entrepreneurship and personal branding. Give out items like promo notebooks and tote bags to get your company’s name out there in a meaningful way.
Making a difference as a promo leader or business owner doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. It just requires finding an organization or cause that needs your help. Every action and contribution counts, whether you provide promo or offer your expertise for free. When you make your company more community-minded, you not only get your name out there, but you also build stronger ties between your business and the people it serves.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Geoff Williams is a journalist who contributes to the American Express OPEN blog, among others.
