The culture of America and the World is a complicated one. The world is more connected than it has ever been and yet there is a big disconnect between many people. Online shopping, texting, and Google maps has eliminated one of the most basic but necessary things we need as humans. Face to face interaction with one another.
One of the best ways you can do this, even if your business or products are taken care of completely online, is to volunteer. This is not only a great way to get out and make those interactions happen but it can also be good for your business as well. Sponsoring and volunteering at a 5K might get you noticed by a lot of people. It might even lead to some conversations about what you do.
I remember playing in a softball tournament and the championship prize was sponsored by about 10 different companies. They helped with the set up and structuring and also provided t-shirts with champs on the front and all of their business logos on the back. I didn’t realize it at the time but it was brilliant. One of the companies was a more locally owned coffee shop. They have many locations in a couple of states but are not as big as the national brands. I think you know which ones I mean. Anyways, whenever I can, I stop at this local coffee shop because I remember that they were a sponsor in something that was fun and important for me.
That’s it. There is no complicated explanation or in depth analysis of numbers as to why I go there. It’s because they were interested in giving back to the community. I don’t care if their coffee choices aren’t as many as other places and I don’t care if I have to drive a mile farther to get to them. They took an active interest in the community I live in and that makes a difference.
So what kind of things could you be doing to help your community? If you are afraid of the politically charged environment right now, well, one can hardly blame you. There are many things that can be done that aren’t political. Highway clean up initiatives, Local sports tournaments, Playground upgrades, Soup Kitchens, Summer concert series, etc. The list can go on and on.
An important aspect of this is to make sure your brand gets out there. It isn’t selfish to let someone know what company helped them. Make t-shirts or hats for your team so you can proudly wear your logo. You can usually pay a flat fee to help sponsor an event, and then they will put your logo on a participation or victory shirt with the other sponsors. This is a fantastic way to get your name out there, do some good in your community, and feel good about what you and your company are doing to help. Check out T22 Media’s blog post for other valuable marketing and business strategies and help.