Getting involved in a cause you believe in is not only good for yourself and the cause – it can also be good for your business. Yes, you can do good, and do good for your business, at the same time. Here are a few things you can do to leverage your involvement into positive marketing.
When I was a junior in high school, my life changed forever. My mom was diagnosed with cancer and I was faced with the harsh reality that life is short. Her cancer shaped the way I live my life, even now two decades later.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and last Sunday I walked with my mom - who has been cancer free for 24 years - in the San Diego American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. It's a noncompetitive walk supporting the American Cancer Society's unique mission to fight breast cancer on four fronts: research, education, advocacy and service programs.
Getting involved in a cause you believe in is not only good for yourself and the cause - it can also be good for your business. Yes, you can do good, and do good for your business, at the same time.
The key to getting community relations to work for you is to leverage your involvement into positive marketing. Do your customers know you donate time and/or money to those activities? Do you get sales because of your involvement? Are you building your brand and/or awareness of your business because of your donations? If you're not sure, then consider some of the following activities:
There are lots of benefits when you and your business become involved in the community, including building credibility for you and your business; building relationship with customers; positive public relations; and general goodwill.
Whatever cause you get involved with, make sure it is coming from the heart. People can sense if you're not being sincere, so make sure you truly do believe in the cause if you're going to support it. With any luck, you'll discover your own win-win-win situation.
Entrepreneurship – The Road Less Traveled
I believe that life is a journey, and just like any journey, it has some bumps in the road along the way. For me, those “bumps” came in the form of three layoffs in two years. I thought, “This is my life. I need to create a way for it to support me and bring me freedom and joy.” So… I started on that journey of entrepreneurship.
What I Learned From A Glitch – And A Rabbit
How did I learn how vital it is to be conscious about your marketing? By working with entrepreneurs! In fact, it's the core strategy behind what I teach, and it’s why I named my business Conscious Marketing. But here's where my head got in the way of my heart: I had an extensive marketing background. I played hardball with some of the top advertising agencies. I thought I had it going on! I didn't think I needed any help from a coach or a mentor, because I already had all the answers. I was wrong.
Everyone Needs a Soapbox!
I was kicked out of corporate America. Literally. I was let go three times in two years! It was difficult at the time, but now I see - the struggle had a purpose. Because of that trial, I found my true calling: helping business owners find their voice, get on that soapbox, and attract in their ideal clients like moths to light.
