Many small business owners don't think about how their time and energy outside of their day-to-day business activities can be leveraged as a marketing strategy. In this article, we'll look at the power of volunteering and how this generous act can impact your business' bottom line.
Someone once suggested to us that when you have a service-based business, you are always marketing. Why? Because the product you are selling is YOU!
If you think about it, that's a lot of pressure to put on us solo and micropreneurs. Guess we better not go to the grocery store in those old sweat pants and that "vintage" t-shirt that could be...let's just say "slightly inappropriate." :-) Just always remember you are the face of your business!
But, what if there was an extremely rewarding way to represent your business in a positive manner. Some way you could promote your own personal agenda and, at the same time, do something good in the world? There is; it's called volunteering.
So if you don't currently volunteer, we're going to explain why you should. And if you already do volunteer, keep it up because we'll explain why volunteering can be an extremely effective marketing strategy.
But first, have you ever really considered the power in volunteering your time to an organization? If you are like most solopreneurs or small business owners probably not. You've overlooked how effective volunteering can be as a marketing strategy. You may even take for granted the impact you are having not only in the lives of others but your own life too.
Why is it so powerful? It's all because of one word - time. Time is the great equalizer. There are only 24-hours each day and everyone has the same amount of hours. Time puts us all on the same playing field doesn't it?
So when you take some of your precious time and give it away to help others, you are in effect giving yourself - your expertise, your intuition, your connections, your energy, etc. Like the old saying goes, "What comes around, goes around." So, for the people you're trying to help, for you and your business, volunteering is a gift that keeps on giving.
Furthermore, while you volunteer, you are showing the world that you are a compassionate, caring and generous person and business owner. You are also getting the opportunity to build quality relationships with everyone involved in and who also supports the organization. So volunteering is a really effective and efficient way for people to get to know, like and trust you.
However, just one final note to consider. Just to be clear, we are not advocating that you start volunteering in an organization for the sole purpose of building your business. Your intentions must be congruent with your actions. So if you are simply volunteering so you can get access to an organization's clients or in front of some lucrative business opportunities, don't waste your time or jeopardize the organization's reputation.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to market your business! By donating your time and energy to an organization that you believe in, prepare yourself to reap the benefits from the karmic bounty coming your way!
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