Marketing is more than sitting down at your computer and talking to people on twitter and facebook.
If you’ve got a small business – be it brick and mortar or a home business – there’s a very real need to present yourself to the community. There’s many ways to accomplish that task – and it’s a task you will do over and over.
One of my favorite ways of introducing my business to the community is by volunteering. I work on the Old Stone House Association, the Tourism Board, the Historical Society and am active in church. I chose those organizations because I have a strong interest in history, travel and my local church. I seldom talk about my business when I work with those organizations. It’s more important to give the service and establish the fact that I’m a part of this community and committed to it’s growth.
I’m also a Chamber of Commerce member. I do some volunteer work there as well. In June, we have Tuesday on the Town. Live music, stores open late, municipal band and a rollicking good time in the old town! I walk around town and take a lot of pictures. The local paper sometimes uses them. They all go up on facebook. The Chamber, if it’s a vibrant one, will provide the connections you need to other small businesses in the community. Submit your events and activities in your business to your local chamber. They will include them in their e-newsletter, perhaps post them online for you, get them in front of other members. If you don’t have a vibrant chamber, why not see what you can do to help grow it into a strong chamber? After all, it’s only as strong as its members.
These few activities I’ve mention cost no money, get you out and about and help get you and your business some publicity. That’s all marketing.
the picture is of two local kids enjoying the concert at Tuesday on the Town
This is a super important message. You have also proved my point that not everyone in online only or understands social media. Of course, I am a big fan of volunteering.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Becky McCray and debworks, Miss Dazey. Miss Dazey said: Important message here RT @debworks Step away from the computer – another way to get some marketing done http://bit.ly/bvYvqS […]
Thank you MissDazey – and volunteering is certainly more rewarding to the volunteer than anyone can imagine.
[…] Step Away from the Computer […]
Thanks for the good tips. My husband is starting upa business and tips like this help.
Excellent points and great post! Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts and the post for all of our readers! Thanx
Vantage – good luck to your husband!
Md. – you are welcome.
Volunteering is a great way to expand your personal network, while serving your community. If you want to formalize the process, you can also look into joining a local business networking group. I recently joined a BNI (Business Networking International) chapter and am learning a lot about how to expand my business by connecting with and helping others.
Greg –
That is so true – don’t forget to become a part of your local chamber of commerce. There’s plenty of opportunities to volunteer in their many fundraising activities. Great way to meet people, work along side other business members and learn to fund raise.