19 November Giving Back as a Small Business November 19, 2024 By Melisa Rana Business Tips, Marketing, Social Media digital marketing, facebook, networking, small business, time management 0 GIVE BACK AS A SMALL BUSINESS November 19, 2024 | Business Tips, Marketing, Social Media | small business, time management, networking, Facebook, digital marketing It’s the season of giving, and people everywhere rightly have goodwill and generosity on their minds. As the year comes to a close and we’re surrounded by friends and loved ones, it’s easy to feel grateful for what we have, and to be reminded that there are many out there who could use a hand up. Volunteering is a great habit for everyone to build into their routine whenever possible, whether it’s supporting a local organization or devoting time to a cause that’s close to our hearts. It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, especially as a small business owner. But those entrepreneurs that make charitable endeavors a priority while wearing their business owner hats may find themselves leaving a bigger impact than ever! Of course, we can all devote our personal time and energy into charitable endeavors, but giving back as you wear your small business owner hat can be even more impactful! The benefits of giving back go beyond spreading good will. Participating visibly in your community as a representative of your business is proof to clients that your team is local, and it can open many opportunities for networking with other businesses in the area. If you haven’t given back as your business yet or you’re looking to shake up your giving plans for this year, here are a few ideas for how you can get started! Donate Your Money! When most people think of giving back, their minds might quickly jump to a monetary donation to a worthy organization - and that’s a great idea! However, there are plenty of other meaningful ways that you can use money to make a difference. Rather than a cash donation, you might consider sponsoring an event instead. Events like raffles or silent auctions can lead to even more awareness for a cause or organization that you support, plus the final amount that you’re able to raise will undoubtedly be greater than what you could have contributed on your own. If events aren’t your speed, sponsoring a youth club or sports team might be another good way to give directly back to your community. Other great ways to donate is through canned food drives or through toy drives - or by teaming up with other local businesses and real estate agents so that your efforts are even more impactful! These are just a few of the many meaningful and effective ways to make a difference by setting some money aside. Donate Your Skills Of course, money isn’t the only way for small businesses to give back. You may have unique skills or talents you can donate to enrich the lives of those who are less fortunate or provide much needed care. For example, those who might have an artistic background could offer to teach a free art class, and musicians could organize a performance at a local retirement home. Likewise, anyone who has a favorite dish or family recipe can participate in a bake sale for a local charity or foundation. Tapping into talents and earned skills can be a great way to give back to the community. For managers or small business owners, consider allowing extra PTO for any employees interested in participating in one of these activities, maybe encouraging them to wear your company’s branded gear for a bit of extra exposure. Although certainly not the main point, it would be wise to use charitable events as more networking opportunities for your business. New relationships are formed every day, and you never know what doors might open as a consequence. Volunteer! (aka Donate Your Time) The wonderful thing about charitable giving is that you don’t need to be specially talented or wealthy to make a difference. All that’s needed is a willingness to set aside a bit of time on your calendar. Most food banks have volunteer shifts listed on their website, divided into modest, short periods of time. Likewise, hospitals, soup kitchens, and even animal shelters welcome extra support pretty much any time.. Wherever you decide to offer your aid, just remember to call ahead and communicate how many members of your team you plan to bring with you! Note: Volunteer outings as a team can be a great opportunity to take a photo or two for social media! As your audience sees your participation in charity work, this may motivate others to do the same. We often see social media solely as digital marketing tools - and they are! But they can also be used to support local organizations that you believe in. Additional Charitable Giving Tips: If there’s only one point that you take away from this article, it’s just this: there are so many different ways to give back any time of the year. Find something that makes sense for yourself and your business, and consider setting up a long-term relationship for recurring giving or volunteering. If you’re not sure about where to get started or you don’t know much about the charitable organizations in your area, use one of the great online charity databases that rank organizations based on their cost-effectiveness and overall efficacy. Look up your local favorites on Charity Navigator as a start, for example! When it comes to factoring charitable donations on your taxes, remember to consult a financial professional as tax deductions can vary considerably from year to year. Recommit yourself and your business to giving back to your community this next year! Community and family are both priorities to us at National Property Inspections. 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