Before sharing the importance of getting involved in your community, I want to let you in on a few ways that I am getting involved in my community this week. I would love for you to join any of these opportunities.

• On May 19th, I, along with Sara Poe, hosted our second “Legacy Building Blueprint” on the topic of Building Your Legacy Nonprofit in This New Economy where we interviewed a panel of business experts on the WCEG Talk Radio Network. You can listen to the fascinating conversation on wcegtalkradio.com.
• Tomorrow, May 22nd, I will be a featured speaker on Carol Dockum’s Beautiful Faces Going Places Virtual Business Week. Join us to hear about the topic of Building a Legacy Business. Find out more and register on Eventbrite.
• Last but not least, I will be speaking to The Utah Women in Sales on May 26th at 12:00 noon Mountain Time/ 2:00 pm Eastern on my 5-Step Legacy Business Blueprint and Legacy Referral Engine. Find out more and register on LinkedIn.

In order for your business to stand out in a positive way, it’s essential that you get involved in your community. This is more important now than ever, as the needs in every community are so great.

In this time of crisis, many businesses have found new and innovative ways to give back to those in need locally. Clothing and shoe companies are making masks to give to hospital workers, Walmart and local grocery stores are providing bonuses to employees, and banks across the country are providing loans to small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat.

Those examples of community involvement in a time of crisis do not go unnoticed by the American public. They receive positive media coverage and more community support as a result. In fact, 82% of American consumers cite a company’s social responsibility as a factor in their decision to buy goods and services.

Community involvement benefits a business in many ways in addition to the selfless act of giving to those in need:

• Creating client and customer loyalty
• Growing your personal reputation within the community
• Increasing company awareness among potential clients or customers
• Engaging employees and contractors more meaningfully
• Developing professional relationships with local leaders
• Establishing your business as a pillar in your community

Your business can get involved in your community – even without leaving your home office – regardless of the type of business, size, or location. Here’s how.

Give the gift of your time. Whatever your business or expertise, there are likely those in your community who could benefit from what you do. This is also a great way to involve employees, contractors, colleagues, and friends. Volunteering your time signals to your potential clients that you care about more than just the bottom line. A perfect example of this is my friend and client, Stephanie Combs of Cabaki’s Catering. For the last 4 years, she has donated her time and catering services for service projects that we have done for Home of Hope, providing delicious meals again and again.

Invest monetarily. This is a great way to help if you need to stay home in order to stay safe. Many nonprofit organizations have been hit hard by the pandemic. Sending a donation or setting up a regular monthly donation would be a welcome gift indeed.  Your business could sponsor a scholarship or virtual event. Another option would be to organize a matching drive where you pledge to match donations up to a certain dollar amount and solicit donations from other businesses, friends, and social media contacts.

Donate space or goods. Maybe you have room in your home that could be used as a drop-off location for a food drive for a local food bank. Or perhaps you could donate a large supply of personal care items to a local charity that serves people who are homeless. When you donate items or space, share how you are helping on social media and encourage others to do the same.

Choose wisely. The great thing about getting involved is that you can find a way that works best for you and your business. Even better if the way you get involved relates to your business in some way in order to increase brand awareness. For example, a local restaurant that is patronized by families might sponsor a youth athletic team or fund a scholarship. A barber shop might donate to the local VFW or veteran’s group. Or a clothing store might donate to Goodwill or local homelessness charities.

“Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.”  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

When you give back, you get back. At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I give my clients the skills that are needed to create lasting Legacy Businesses, all while creating a lifestyle that allows you to spend time doing the things you love with the people you love most, as well as giving back to the community that has given you so much.

If you are ready to find out how to create local connections that are going to lead to the success you want, contact me today.

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.