Page 166 - 101 Ways to Market Your Business

DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE CREDIBILITY?

71 Get behind organisations that support the
community

Being an active member of the community can only help
your business. Most successful people I know gladly give
their time and expertise to helping others and the commu-
nity in general. There is a spin-off in doing this and that
is that people in turn will support you.

Most community organisations are formed by business
leaders within the community. This provides an excellent
opportunity to meet some very influential decision-makers.
I am not suggesting that you join community organisations
simply to get more business. I am saying that if you join
a community organisation and lend a hand, your reward
will come in the form of business.

There are a number of community projects with no
budget that need assistance. Perhaps your input can help a
project to become a reality, which would make you feel
good about yourself and help others less fortunate. As with
all positive attitude-type action, make sure that your moti-
vation is doing the right thing, not the financial reward.

Our company gets behind one or two charities or events
each year and we offer to market and publicise them free
of charge. We love doing it and, once again, everyone wins.

This is probably a little off the wall for some entrepre-
neurs. However, I firmly believe that good deeds are
rewarded. Call it karma, call it divine intervention, call it
what you like, but from my experience those people that
do the right thing, have good business ethics and are honest
and kind seem to have successful businesses.

I can’t explain why or how, I can only say that it is an
observation I have made—those people that sit behind the
counter with a face like a prune and a bad attitude generally
have suffering businesses. Make the effort, do a few nice
things for people every once in a while. The worst that can
happen is that your business will grow.

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