The way that your community perceives what you stand for is more important than any other aspect of your business. This includes your location, your cost, your quality, and even your name.
Without a good reputation, none of the other aspects of your business are going to matter one bit to your customers. This is why we have come up with three solid practices to help boost your business’ reputation in the eyes of your community.
Take a Stand
When your business makes a public proclamation that you are doing something more than simply making a living, then the community is more likely to stand behind you. People like to know that their money is going farther than into a proprietor’s pocket. This is why you should build a business that stands for something more than business.
Taking a public stand for something does not have to directly relate to your business, but it can. For example, if your business is a smoothie company, for example, maybe you take a stand against dairy products farmed in captivity.
However, as mentioned before, your business does not have to relate to a cause that directly correlates to your business at all. You might choose to take a stand regarding the foster care system as the owner of smoothie business as well.
Whatever stand you choose to take, but make sure that you communicate your passion for this stance to your customers. This will make a big difference in your reputation within and around your community.
Take Care of Your Community
As a small business owner, you have a responsibility to the people within the community you work to become an active part of their community. Get to know these people. Hire local talent and invite teenagers to clean up after school. Join a local organization for small businesses.
Whatever you do, make sure that you become and remain an active part of the community you reside in. Being a part of the community is a huge step in being accepted and welcomed by the community. After all, if you chose this community to build your business in, then it is your responsibility to become an active part in it.
Give Back
When you are a successful business, then you should give back to the world to make it a better place. Think of successful business man, Tej Kohli. He built a business from the ground up and when he made his millions, he founded a program that will change the lives of countless people in the long run.
If you think that giving back to the world will instantly make your business soar, then you are probably doing it for the wrong reasons. Giving back to the community or to a cause that you are passionate about should be done because it is the right thing to do. Publicity is just a fringe benefit.