As a local business, you make up part of the fabric of your community. Being actively involved in your community can have long-lasting benefits for your business. Prominent local businesses are able to build more brand recognition, encourage customers to shop local, forge deeper connections with buyers, and harness a loyal consumer base. Here are four ways to use your brand to support and engage your local community.
Call Attention to Milestone Moments
One way you can humanize your brand and deepen your community connections is by helping to celebrate milestone moments. There are tons of people and occasions to celebrate—graduating high school and college seniors, local athletic events, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and so much more. Local heroes are also deserving of love—healthcare workers, veterans, firefighters, teachers, long-term care providers, parents, and anyone going above and beyond the call of duty would certainly appreciate a shoutout. Make your brand part of that celebration and spread positivity while helping your customers feel extra special. Storefront signage is a great way to bring recognition to these moments. Customized banners and flags, window clings, yard signs, and sidewalk signs call attention to your chosen milestones from customers and passerby. Small in-store giveaways like stickers, pens, and postcards are also fun ways to spread your messages. Not only will these be special take-home items for the people you’re celebrating, but they’ll serve as a tangible reminder of your brand and the trust you’ve built.
Sponsor a Local Cause or Event
Local nonprofits are always in need of extra support. Sponsorships allow you to support causes that are near and dear to your heart while also getting your brand in front of potential customers. There are lots of different ways to bolster both local events and your business. Sponsoring a children’s sports team is one popular choice. In doing so, you might have the opportunity to place your logo or company name on uniforms or on a banner at the playing field. You could also sponsor a club, nonprofit program, fundraiser, or other community event. By doing so, your logo and branding will be included on advertisements for the event, as well as on signage, printed materials, t-shirts, and promotional items at the event. Events also provide plenty of opportunities for brand awareness. You may be able to host a table, donate giveaways, or give a short presentation.
Share Your Expertise
People have become increasingly interested in staying active, learning new skills, and bettering themselves. Demonstrate your business’s value beyond just providing products or services by teaching your community members something new. It doesn’t matter what the nature of your business is—you have valuable information to offer. Use this opportunity to educate and engage potential customers, build credibility, and position your brand as an industry thought leader. Consider hosting a virtual event or webinar that people can tune into, whether as a one-off event or a series. For example, business owners are well-positioned to provide graduating seniors with interview tips or to hold a class on entrepreneurship basics. You might also consider fun events, like a DIY craft workshop, a cooking class, or a group workout. Additionally, you could create how-to videos, written guides, or other compelling content for your website and social media platforms. Find out what your community members are interested in and identify ways you can use your expertise to share knowledge.
Partner with Local Brands
Other businesses likely face the same challenges as you, and they are probably looking for new ideas to drum up business. Now is the perfect time to get to know your neighbors and team up to help each other! Look for businesses that are not direct competitors but offer complementary services to yours. Brainstorm ways you can work together, such as a joint promotional offer or a “shop local” campaign. You could even share fliers or coupons to drive traffic to each other’s businesses. These types of partnerships allow you to network with other business owners and key members of your community, so you can learn from and support one another. All of the businesses involved will benefit from the extra exposure, which will help to strengthen your community as a whole.
Community Participation Is Key for Your Business
As a local business, it’s important for you to have a presence in your community. When you support your neighbors, both your community and your business will come out stronger on the other side. Consider this an opportunity to gain brand recognition, build a loyal customer base, and make a positive local impact by getting involved.