Community engagement is vital for businesses. It allows them to connect with their customers and understand their wants and needs. By engaging with the community, companies can build trust and lasting relationships.
According to a National Association of Realtors study, 78 percent of home buyers said community involvement was significant when choosing a home. Furthermore, 90 percent of buyers said they would be more likely to return to a business if it supported a cause they care about in life.
Community engagement also has tangible benefits for businesses. It can help them attract new customers, boost sales, and improve their bottom line. For example, a study by Cone Communications found that 66 percent of consumers are more likely to buy from a company that supports a cause they are passionate about in life. In addition, companies that are engaged in their local communities tend to have better employee retention rates.
So how can businesses get started with community engagement? Here are a few tips.
Start with the Local Community
The best place to start is in the business’s backyard. There are many ways to get involved in the local community, such as sponsoring a Little League team, volunteering at a food bank, or hosting a charity event.
Not only will these activities make the community a better place, but they will also create goodwill for the business. Furthermore, they allow employees to get involved and build morale.
Your local chamber of commerce is an excellent resource for finding community events and activities. There will also likely be a website or Facebook page for the city or town that lists upcoming events.
Another great way to engage with the community is to get involved with local schools. Businesses can volunteer their time and resources to help with after-school programs, classroom projects, and field trips.
In addition, businesses can offer internships and mentorship programs to students. These programs provide valuable experience for students while also helping companies to develop a talent pipeline.
Support a Local Charity
One of the easiest ways to engage with the community is to support a local charity. You can do this in several ways, such as donating money, hosting a fundraiser, or volunteering time.
Not only will this make a difference in the lives of those served by the charity, but it will also generate good publicity for the business. Furthermore, it’s a great way to build relationships with other companies and community leaders.
Donating to a local charity can also benefit your business finances. Many charities are registered as 501(c)(3) organizations, which means donations are tax-deductible. Reliable charity auditors can help you find good organizations to support, and they can also guide how to maximize the tax benefits of your contributions.
Host a Community Event
Another great way to engage with the community is to host a public event. This could be something like a block party, festival, or concert. Not only will this provide a fun activity for residents, but it will also give them a chance to learn more about your business.
When you plan an event, please be sure to partner with other local businesses and organizations. This will help you promote the event and get more people involved. It’s also a great way to build relationships with other companies in the community.
Get Involved with Local Politics
Local politics is another excellent way to engage with the community. There are many ways to get involved, such as attending city council meetings, joining a political party, or working on a campaign.
Getting involved with local politics is a great way to learn about the issues important to your community. It’s also an opportunity to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you and your business.
In addition, getting involved with local politics can help you build relationships with elected officials and other community leaders. These relationships can be helpful if you ever need assistance from the government or need to resolve a problem with a city agency.
Providing Giveaways on Social Media
Giving away free stuff is a popular way to engage with the community. This could be something like a contest, coupons, or free samples.
Social media is an excellent platform for giving away freebies. Not only does it allow you to reach a large audience, but it’s also relatively inexpensive. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all excellent platforms for running giveaways.
When you run a giveaway on social media, promote it heavily. You can create a hashtag, post it on your blog or website, and send email blasts. It would be best if you also considered running paid ads to promote the giveaway.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few ways businesses can engage with the community. There are endless possibilities, so get creative and see what works best for you and your business.
