Volunteer

Volunteering is probably one of the most simple and effective ways for businesses to give back to their local community. By giving up your own personal time you are conveying that you are a team player and willing to contribute to something bigger than your own business. Whether it’s working on a one-off project or helping out on a frequent basis, any contribution through volunteering work will make a real difference to both the community and your business. When possible volunteering work should be promoted, encouraged and recognised within your company and your staff should get involved.

Support a Local Charity

Supporting a local charity is a great way to build closer relationships within your community and there are many ways in which you can do this. For instance, you could raise money by launching a ‘Go Fund Me’ page, donate gifts for raffles and auctions, promote the charity through your business or even become an ambassador or advocate yourself. Whatever action you decide on, it’s important to make sure that the charity is something you and your business can relate too. By doing so, your community is able to see that you care about the local people and that your help is genuine.

Participate in Local Events

The majority of towns will host local events, festivals and parades throughout the year. If you are looking to promote your business in the community, then participating in any of these is a fantastic way to do that. For bridal retailers looking to highlight their designs, try taking part in a local parade by sponsoring a float, or even supplying dresses and accessories for community plays and shows. Participating in local events is also a great way to expand your customer base. If your town is hosting a local fair then take part and bring contact information sheets with you. This way you will be able to form relationships with the local community, and most importantly potential customers.

Give Back Through Competitions and Promotions

Healthy communities have healthy local economies. As a small business owner, you will need the support of your local community for the success of your boutique. However, giving back to your community and supporting them is just as important. By running competitions and promotions you are indicating to your local community that you recognise their on-going support and fell like it’s time to give back. Not only this, but running competitions and promotions are great for capturing new leads and engaging current customers.

Furthermore, competitions and promotions are fantastic for establishing your business within the community. Running one of these will get your community excited about your business and will create a demand for what you offer.

Get involved in Local Schools

Local schools play a vital role in any community. Therefore, there’s no better way to get involved in your local community than by helping out in schools. There are many easy ways in which bridal retailers can get involved. For example, you could donate old wedding and bridesmaid dresses that can be made into communion gowns and prom dresses. In addition to this, bridal retailers can also lend their expertise to educate students on how to set up a local business and how to make it a success.

Join the Chamber of Commerce

Finally, if you are looking for ways to get your business more involved in your local community, then joining your local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to achieve this. Once you become a member, you will be open to numerous networking opportunities with other like-minded business in your area. By joining forces with other businesses, you will be able to achieve business growth, create new opportunities and most importantly share ideas with key influencers in your industry.

For business advice like this, take a look at these five ways to expand your bridal business.