We are big believers in working hard to build a business that will support our families and nurture our entrepreneurial spirit. A substantial investment in time and energy is required to organize and run a successful small business. This time hog of a small business is the main reason many business owners fall short on what we feel is a very important duty.
Volunteerism and community service can be just as important as getting the client proposal done or returning phone calls. It serves many important functions I’d like to discuss. It’s valuable that you, as a small business owner, see how community service can contribute to your success.
Volunteering is feel-good!
The benefit to you and your business can be as simple as the feeling it gives you. You feel better when you’re helping other people. Giving to those less fortunate or helping those who cannot help themselves builds confidence in your abilities and makes you thankful for what you have. When you feel better you perform at your peak during the work day. Who doesn’t want to perform at their peak?
Community service builds awareness of your business.
A basic fact of small business marketing is the more people who know about your business the more likely it is you’ll get work. Becoming active in your community through volunteering makes more people aware of you and your business. This is good for marketing. It’s expected that you would promote your community involvement through press releases and articles in your local paper or online forum.
People want to do business with companies that contribute to their community. Customers like local businesses and owners who are their neighbors. I have many clients tell me they want a local remodeling company. Somebody familiar with the government, lives close to them and has an office nearby. It makes them comfortable knowing that your business in tangible and not fly by night.
Volunteering is a great networking opportunity.
The key to community service and volunteering is that you’re not there to sell anyone your services. You’re there to work together and help those in need. In time people will become curious about you as a person and work to help you succeed.
Don’t show up the first day and start handing out business cards! This turns people off and makes you look like a leech. Show interest in the cause and the people you are spending time with. Connections and new business will come in time. This is why it’s important to pick a cause you believe in. I’ll speak more on that in the next section.
Over time many of your fellow volunteers will become friends. It’s almost a natural occurrence given that you have common interests and values through the volunteer organization. Having more friends leads to a fulfilling personal and business life through connections.
Friends and acquaintances will love to refer your business to people they know and even to perfect strangers! It makes them look and feel good in the eyes of others. It’s also a way for them to help their friends.
I don’t have time to volunteer.
One of the key things to remember is that you always have time for something you’re truly committed to. This means that if you want something bad enough you’re going to make time to get it done. It’s important to find avenues of service that speak to you personally. You can do this through church, internationally or through your local community. If it’s not something you’re excited about, then you’re not going fit it into your schedule.
Some people use the logic that they’re worried about losing time with their kids and family. My answer to that is simple; bring them along! There’s nothing better than teaching your children about volunteering side by side with you. Your children see that you care and it’s a great example for them. It teaches them compassion and helps them appreciate everything they have. My children aren’t quite old enough to come on my trips so I take the opportunity to tell them all about what I did while I was gone. They’re usually excited to hear about it.
I can’t afford to give money to charity.
Community service and volunteering can be just that, volunteering. You don’t have to give vast sums of money to charity organizations. Most of them are only looking for good, dedicated volunteers to help them run their programs. Many get government assistance or grants from large corporations to help with purchasing products and paying full time staff. Finding volunteers is often harder than finding money.
We’ve always loved to work with our hands and several times we have taken trips to other parts of the US to help with re-building efforts after natural disasters. Twice we have taken trips with our local home builders association and each trip has been more fun than I had imagined it would be. You’ll find that volunteering at something you love is well worth the time spent.
What activities or local groups have you been interested in? Do they do the type of work you love to do?
Reach out to them; they’re dying for your help!