While building a home-based business, you will want to take advantage of all the free or inexpensive help you can get. Some of that may be available in the local community through various civic groups, such as the Rotary, Toastmasters, or Kiwanis. You may not even have to become a member of these groups to enjoy immediate advantages, although eventual membership may offer even more exciting networking opportunities. Here are some tips for getting to know organizations like these:
1. Call one or more of these civic groups. Introduce yourself and your business, and offer to be a guest speaker on a range of topics with which you are familiar. For example, if you are starting a landscape business, you might want to prepare a twenty-minute talk on managing rose blight or a beetle infestation. You could talk about patio styles or how to build a brick walkway. Most civic groups are eager to invite local speakers who can make practical presentations based on areas of specialization. Often, because they usually do not pay a presenter, the groups will offer lunch instead, and perhaps the opportunity to sell your books at the back of the room afterward.
2. Make your products available to civic groups. They can be featured at special events centering on a theme that includes the need for the type of products or services you supply. One example is for a landscaper to provide lawn decorations to an upcoming garden show. Not all civic groups do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
3. Once you become a member, you will be able to meet the other members, many of who may be interested in utilizing your services (at a discount, perhaps) or in exchange for their services. For example, a landscaper might be willing to put in a $1,000 garden pond for a marketing executive in exchange for a comparable amount of public relations work. Or you can offer a ten percent discount to all members and hope they keep you in mind for referrals to friends and family members.
4. Sometimes civic groups make donations to or perform good deeds for local community charities or organizations. You may be able to take a leadership show, which will help to bring your regular business to light, even if it's only as a byline for a speech you make at the opening of the new women's shelter to which the group donated $500:
"Joe Smith, President of Freshlawn Landscaping, will now present our club's donation."
5. Offer to write articles, edit the organization's publications, or assist with other tasks that can demonstrate your support to the group and win attention and praise for your business as well. Position yourself as a kind, thoughtful expert, and you will be the person that others call on when they need someone with your skills.
Your community should be a place where you can offer time and talent to help others. Conversely, you may likewise be able to benefit. Always offer charitable contributions with good intentions, but don't ignore opportunities to win recognition for your business.
