Perhaps it is a common notion that only large-scale corporations need are giving back to the communities through some kind of philanthropic works. After all, these are huge businesses with large budgets that truly can reach out and help various charities or projects in a community.
The real scenario is that the United States actually has thousands of small businesses on these businesses employ about half of the total workers in the country. While each small-scale business might be unable to give as much as a huge corporation, it is not true however that what they give isn't as relevant to local communities. At the same time, the benefits of a charitable giving program help those in need as well as benefitting these small businesses.
Charity Creates Positive Publicity
Positive publicity - especially in a social media world where any story can be shared - is invaluable for a small business. And while you may dutifully send announcements out to local publications and TV stations every time you launch a new product or run a promotion, they're simply not going to cover every one of those stories.
But when your small business is doing something of value for the community - whether that involves donating money, products, services, or your time as volunteers - it becomes a good news story that any local media outlet is going to be interested in.
As an example, a small tire franchise in northern Utah received national coverage on Forbes.com recently because they were regular participants in a local annual Coats for Kids community event. If they hadn't earned a well-deserved reputation for giving back in their community, you may never have heard of Burt Brothers Tires. But now the company has the support of a major media outlet. You can't buy that kind of publicity with an ad.
Your Employees Also Will Appreciate The Efforts
To be able to work in a company that cares is a good opportunity. Since your business is small and your employees are mostly "locals," you are likely to find common causes significant for them as well. And so, to give back to the community is a big morale booster and a solid team-building activity for all. There can be several options for your employees to become participative, including:
A day off from the business in order to give way for a "Volunteer Day" with all employees encouraged to report to a planned volunteer activity rather than work is good.
Encourage your employees to suggest various causes that they are passionate about, and then decide as a group the best way to support them. Set up simple means by which employees can give financially through an online philanthropy platform such as InstaGive.
This provides simple and intuitive access for any small business to set up a branded webpage to collect charitable donations via credit card.
Your Customers Appreciate It Too
Remember that when a small business gives back to the community, the people benefiting are not the employees only. Even customers find this a worthwhile effort in that many locals may even decide to buy from you once they find you highly involved in helping the community. With the promotion of goodwill as positively publicized you can bet that existing and prospective customers are likely to be touched by any business no matter how small. Still, this should not be the end of it.
Let us look into some ways where customers may be enticed to get involved directly in your program:
Maybe you can put donation jars in your counter or you can think of any other simple yet quick ways for your walk-in customers to participate and talking to them about it while they are in your outlet ought to make them more aware.
Invite your customers to donate on your InstaGive site, both through visible signage at your place of business and via email and social media.
Invite customers to join your employees at planned events. If there's plenty of work to do, why not bring in more hands to help out?
Pick a specific time period - say, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday - during which a percentage of every purchase will be given to a charitable cause. Actively promote this event so customers who care can plan their purchases accordingly.
Here you've read about some of the reasons for considering giving back to communities via planned charity or voluntary works though you may be a small business as individual businesses may find something unique to do. Be sure you find time for planning any solid and strategic program so you can start giving back now!
The real scenario is that the United States actually has thousands of small businesses on these businesses employ about half of the total workers in the country. While each small-scale business might be unable to give as much as a huge corporation, it is not true however that what they give isn't as relevant to local communities. At the same time, the benefits of a charitable giving program help those in need as well as benefitting these small businesses.
Charity Creates Positive Publicity
Positive publicity - especially in a social media world where any story can be shared - is invaluable for a small business. And while you may dutifully send announcements out to local publications and TV stations every time you launch a new product or run a promotion, they're simply not going to cover every one of those stories.
But when your small business is doing something of value for the community - whether that involves donating money, products, services, or your time as volunteers - it becomes a good news story that any local media outlet is going to be interested in.
As an example, a small tire franchise in northern Utah received national coverage on Forbes.com recently because they were regular participants in a local annual Coats for Kids community event. If they hadn't earned a well-deserved reputation for giving back in their community, you may never have heard of Burt Brothers Tires. But now the company has the support of a major media outlet. You can't buy that kind of publicity with an ad.
Your Employees Also Will Appreciate The Efforts
To be able to work in a company that cares is a good opportunity. Since your business is small and your employees are mostly "locals," you are likely to find common causes significant for them as well. And so, to give back to the community is a big morale booster and a solid team-building activity for all. There can be several options for your employees to become participative, including:
A day off from the business in order to give way for a "Volunteer Day" with all employees encouraged to report to a planned volunteer activity rather than work is good.
Encourage your employees to suggest various causes that they are passionate about, and then decide as a group the best way to support them. Set up simple means by which employees can give financially through an online philanthropy platform such as InstaGive.
This provides simple and intuitive access for any small business to set up a branded webpage to collect charitable donations via credit card.
Your Customers Appreciate It Too
Remember that when a small business gives back to the community, the people benefiting are not the employees only. Even customers find this a worthwhile effort in that many locals may even decide to buy from you once they find you highly involved in helping the community. With the promotion of goodwill as positively publicized you can bet that existing and prospective customers are likely to be touched by any business no matter how small. Still, this should not be the end of it.
Let us look into some ways where customers may be enticed to get involved directly in your program:
Maybe you can put donation jars in your counter or you can think of any other simple yet quick ways for your walk-in customers to participate and talking to them about it while they are in your outlet ought to make them more aware.
Invite your customers to donate on your InstaGive site, both through visible signage at your place of business and via email and social media.
Invite customers to join your employees at planned events. If there's plenty of work to do, why not bring in more hands to help out?
Pick a specific time period - say, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday - during which a percentage of every purchase will be given to a charitable cause. Actively promote this event so customers who care can plan their purchases accordingly.
Here you've read about some of the reasons for considering giving back to communities via planned charity or voluntary works though you may be a small business as individual businesses may find something unique to do. Be sure you find time for planning any solid and strategic program so you can start giving back now!
About the Author:
Sebastian Troup likes blogging about philantrophic solutions for businesses and non profit organizations. To get more info about the competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy, or to know about setting up employee giving campaigns , please visit the Truist.com site today.
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