Advertisement Ideas: Why Community Involvement Works?
Since I was 11 years old I have been involved in some aspect of community service be it raising funds for The Muscular Dystrophy Association or today raising funds for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. In my years of doing community service I have found that businesses that place an emphasis on supporting the community tend to out perform those who do not? Why is this? It is because the average consumer likes to do business with those they perceive as giving back to the community. A great example of why community involvement works was witnessed by me when I approached The Skyline Chili in Sunrise, Fl. The proprietors Tony and Jenny were very open to the idea of doing give back nights for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise, FL . I had never eaten at Skyline Chili until the night of our first give back night and since that time I have eaten there on several occasions. They have seen an increase in their business as a result of doing these give back nights as they support many charitable causes and have gained a reputation as an establishment that supports the community. In supporting the community you receive positive advertising that you could not buy. In the case of Skyline Chili they received positive promotion on the radio show I hosted, mentions in videos done at the fundraiser, and mentions in my blog and across my social media. In helping me and my cause they gained a customer and an advocate.
I had the privilege of doing a fundraiser with Tijuana Flats recently as part of their spirit night program. The spirit night is a night where a charity receives 20% of the sales during a certain time for their organization. This gives Tijuana Flats great exposure and brings in people who may normally not have Tijuana Flats on the top of their mind. As a result of doing the fundraiser I learned about Taco Tuesday and now I am a regular customer. My spirit night raised $149 for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. I spend an average of $11 as I get desert and sides with my Taco Tuesday Order. Do the math just from me alone they will get the money donated back. It was interesting The GM said to me that night “JDOGG I either give it to you or I give it to Uncle Sam I would rather give it to you,” I thought for a minute and it hit me by doing a give back night not only does he get positive exposure in the marketplace he also gets a nice charitable write-off that allows him to make a profit and as a result stay open and employ more people from the community.
When I was an active member of The Jaycees I would travel to many communities to help local chapters and the first thing I did was take members with me to local businesses to approach those businesses about helping The Jaycees with their many community service projects. In one community, Coral Springs, I approached Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet about being a sponsor for The Coral Springs Jaycees Underprivileged Children’s Shopping Spree. They said yes and sponsored 10 kids for $500. When It came time to buy a car who did I go to? You guessed it Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet. Another member approached Coral Springs Auto Mall and they said yes and donated $100 and that member bought his car from them. The advantage that these two dealerships saw through community involvement was a sale that they may not have made. So again why does community involvement work? It works because it puts your business in a positive light and increases brand awareness while also driving more sales.
On May 2, 2015 Jet’s Pizza came to The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton with 10 large pizzas and gave everyone who walked The Pizza Lap A Slice of Pizza. They handed out fliers and also received announcements by the emcee. The following Monday on May 4, 2015 while dropping of the donated tux to Men’s Wearhouse in the same plaza as Jet’s Pizza I stopped in and bought 2 slices of pizza, a soda,and an order of Cinnamon Sticks. By being involved in the community Jet’s Pizza is gaining customers. Guess where I am going to buy my next suit or dress shirt or other clothes? You got it, Men’s Wearhouse.
The concept is easy make a plan to help charitable causes and your community and you will see an increase in brand awareness and revenue. Find out what is happening in the community and get involved as you never know where a customer might come from. I have done business with those who simply make a $5 donation and give me their business card. I have supported businesses who simply let me hang a poster in their window. Those that have supported me have received support back proving that community involvement works. So think about how you can say yes to community involvement the next time a community organizations come to your business and asks for support. Just think of all those mentioned in this entry and how they received an extra benefit of being mentioned in this blog. Say Yes!!! Stay Positive!!! Namaste!!!
