Community engagement is a secret weapon businesses can utilize to grow sales and boost their brand name. If you’re a small, medium, or large business, your company plays a significant role in the community you’re located in, whether you realize it or not. As a business owner, your company pays a large chunk of money in local taxes that go towards your community’s public works projects such as schools and libraries. However, these actions often go unnoticed.
To bring more publicity to your business and drive local community engagement, there are a few steps you can take. Below, we provide a few tips you should consider implementing into your PR strategy to connect with members in your areas to make a positive impact.
1. Social Media
If you want to drive local community engagement, you need to get social, and what better way to socialize than with social media? Social media has changed the way businesses market themselves, and you can use social media to your advantage to connect with consumers in your region.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all useful tools that allow you to spread awareness about your brand. With a social media management app, you’ll be able to post engaging content, videos, and photos, as well as make and respond to comments, host online giveaways, and connect with industry leaders in your area.
Additionally, you can use your social media accounts to connect with your community by creating hashtags for local events, fundraisers, and charities. Along with this, you can create a company website with a blog and sync your social media accounts to bring in more organic traffic.
2. Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of increasing website traffic by making a site more visible to search engines. This is done through keyword research, website restructuring, and creating engaging content. One segment of SEO is local SEO, which is the process of getting a website to rank highly on search engines like Google in their local areas.
This may sound confusing, which is why hiring a local SEO consultant is suggested. A local SEO consultant will help your website establish trust with search engines to put your company’s name at the top of search results. For example, if you own a small pizza shop and want to increase foot traffic, an SEO company will optimize your website, so when someone searches, “best pizza near me,” your restaurant will be the first one they see.
3. Get Involved with Your Community
The best way to boost local community engagement is by getting on the front lines with them. Instead of sitting behind the scenes, get your brand’s name seen and heard by participating in community events such as fundraisers, charity events, and partnering with nonprofits. While you’re at these events, you can volunteer your time and resources to help out for a good cause, which will land you a good impression with community members.
Examples of ways you can get involved with your community to drive local engagement include:
- Sponsoring a charity 5k run or walk
- Lending company trucks or vehicles to help nonprofits transport goods
- Donating to a local charity
- Having employees teach a class at a local school regarding your industry
- Giving free tours of your factory or business
- Sponsor a local event
4. Partnerships
Another way you can bolster community engagement is by partnering with local businesses. This can be done by hosting a business event or teaming up to offer the community something special. For example, if you own a small local gym, ask a neighboring restaurant, cafe, or nutritional store to join in and offer a free exercise class with refreshments after. Not only will you be able to draw in large crowds of people to your company, but you’ll also help out another local business as well— a win-win!
Other options for partnerships include attending college job fairs to make sure your company is accurately represented and you attract local talent, allowing school field trips to be held at your campus, and attending trade shows and networking events to interact with industry leaders in your area.
Key Takeaways
Engaging with your local community doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems. At first, you may be nervous about getting your company out there interacting with people in your region. However, after your first charity event or partnership event, you’ll realize how easy it is to get involved and make a difference. Not only will you make a positive impact on those around you, but you’ll also increase sales and your reputation.
