As a small business owner, it’s smart to make connections with the community. It can help you reach potential customers, provide business networking opportunities, and give you the chance to make your community a better place for everyone who lives in it, including yourself. Here are some basic ideas about how to get involved.

What Are Some Ways Your Business Can Reach Out?

1. Volunteer Work

If you provide a service like health and dental care, construction, maintenance, cleaning, or anything else that could help community members in their daily lives, consider donating your time to someone in need. For example, a dentist might offer dental exams for school children, or a restaurant can cook food for those in need. You can also look for volunteering opportunities that don’t have much to do with your business, like park cleanup. These services directly improve the community and also increase your company’s recognition.

2. Events

Look for local events like fairs and festivals where you can get involved. You might set up a booth for your company, or you could be involved in planning, preparation, and cleanup. You can even host events of your own, from sales and giveaways to family days, to marches for causes you support. Being active in community events helps increase your visibility and improve public opinion toward your business.

3. Sponsorships 

Organizations like animal shelters and sports teams often rely on local businesses to help with their costs to keep these services available to the community. You can sponsor a team or a pet directly, and the organization you sponsor may credit you. You can also donate to a wide range of charitable causes, including food banks, shelters, medical funds, community projects, local nonprofits, and drives sponsored by other businesses. Some of these associations can become business networking opportunities, as your business connects with potential partners and service providers.

If you need help finding opportunities to get involved in the community, join the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce. Based in Florissant, MO, they offer business networking opportunities for small business owners of all kinds within a 20-mile radius in North County. They include a diverse group of over 400 businesses and individuals and offer a range of business networking activities from legislative breakfasts to job fairs. You can learn more on their online event calendar, or call (314) 831-3500.