With all of the talk about Haiti some small businesses may wonder what they could be doing to help out with that relief effort and all of the other causes that are dear to our hearts. Customers are already giving at a phenomenal rate, but here are some steps to get involved in cause marketing and feel good doing it.
Pick your Cause: There are so many causes to support that it is good to focus on just one. It also makes sense to choose one that is a fit for what you do. Clothing store - Soles4Souls, Builder - Habitat for Humanity, Children's Toys & Gifts - DonorsChoose.org. The tie in helps you focus your giving on what matters to you every day in your business.
Set a Goal: If you want to raise $5000 in a year for your cause put that out there. Having a goal helps your customers and clients know what you are working towards. When you are getting close you never know one person might just make the difference and put you over the top.
Get your Message Out: Now that you have chosen your cause and set your goal you are ready to start promoting. I suggest, with permission from the organization, putting their logo on your website with a link to donate in your name, on your print material, and on in store posters and point of sale displays.
Giving back feels great and you have a unique platform to get your cause out there. People are tremendously generous and next post we will talk about specific ways to raise that money!
Photo Credit: Ginnerobot