By Elizabeth / Posted Thursday, December 7, 2017
Small Business Community Involvement Tips for the Holidays
Smart businesses focus a lot of attention on building brand recognition among the people in their local communities. The holiday season provides unique opportunities for companies to engage the public through special promotions and events. Here are five smart ways to increase your pool of local customers this winter.
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Hold a food drive. During the holiday season, countless organizations accept charitable donations for the less fortunate. Think about starting or participating in a drive for non-perishable food items. This is a great way to cultivate valuable relationships, while also shedding positive light on your brand.
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Volunteer. Consider asking your employees to volunteer during the holiday season. What's more, outfit them in branded apparel that showcases your unique logo. If you are reluctant to ask your employees to dedicate their time for free, consider sweetening the deal by offering some intriguing holiday employee gifts.
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Target key events and organizations. All communities differ based on climate, location and demographics. To better understand your potential customers' needs and interests, you and your employees need to get involved in key events and organizations, such as business councils, neighborhood groups and even school PTA groups. You should also take steps to identify any potential holiday events and get involved either through sponsorships or direct participation.
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Host your own holiday event. Many businesses spend a lot of time trying to craft strategies that will allow them to participate in non-relevant community events. If you can't see a way to promote your service or product at a specific event, think about starting your own. Rent out space or use your own facility to host some type of event, and invite other non-competitive local businesses to participate.
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Plan a promotional giveaway. The holidays provide an ideal opportunity for businesses to engage the public with special promotions, giveaways and contests. Instead of giving out a monetary reward, however, take your marketing strategy a step further by offering branded promotional items as first, second and third prizes.
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