Click here to get this post in PDF
Whether your business is new or you’re looking to do a bit of rebranding, there are many ways to show a new face to your community. You may want to poll your employees to see what causes matter to them. You may also be interested in finding fresh ways to share a new logo.
Volunteer at a Fun Run
Whether you jog, walk or bicycle, find a fun run or race that you and your team can volunteer at. You will want
- a table scarf to show off your colors, name and logo
- a canopy to fill out your bit of real estate along the run
- branded water bottles or cups
- tees and tanks for your volunteers to wear
A cool cup of water and a smile are a wonderful way to show a racer and their supporters that your company cares and is happy to support local athletes. If your community has regular runs, such as 5k races for specific causes or fund-raising, contact the organizer early so you can get on the route and in the promotional materials.
Sponsor a Sports Team
While checking in with your employees, find out if their children are part of any sports organizations. If you have an employee who coaches Little League or softball over the summer, offer to provide gear, such as hats and tees, to the team. You may have an employee who serves as a referee for a sports league; find out if they need hats or jackets that you can sponsor.
This is a terrific step for companies in the midst of a logo “facelift” who want to get their name back out in the world. Celebrate your commitment to health by providing team members with a reusable water bottle. Send kids home with a small tote or drawstring backpack of their own for a fun reminder of a tournament, or just to carry their gear in each season.
Underwrite an Arts Event
Sports may not be your venue. Why not sponsor an arts event? For example, you could sponsor an outdoor concert at a botanical garden by
- volunteering at the check-in
- handing out water or iced tea inside the concert venue
- handing out custom-printed paper fans to concertgoers
For larger shows or organizations, you may choose to underwrite a performer. Underwriters can either sponsor a particular performer for a show, a run or a season. Larger underwriters may choose to underwrite an entire show. Be aware that if you make a large donation, your company name will be shared before each performance and someone from your organization may be specifically introduced or pointed out before the show. Be prepared to stand and accept thanks!
Create Visible Promos
Once your new logo and colors are ready to go, find ways to get your name out on several different items. For example, you can produce branded lunch bags for your employees. You can send out your interns and traveling employees with branded laptops and other office equipment.
Make sure your employees can carry your name out to service events. If your community has been hit by severe weather and employees want to volunteer, get them tees that will stay comfy and cool during the cleanup. Invest in branded ball caps to show off your team members and build cohesion within your employee group.
Finally, understand that not all employees are interested in volunteering or team building events. If you want to create special promos for specific events for your employees, do so. However, you will also want to make sure that there are items that every employee gets.
Offer Articles, Videos and Seminars
If your business has a blog, share your expertise. Obviously, you will want to maintain security on proprietary data, but if your business is in the financial services industry, you can share expertise about the history of index funds or about the markets overall.
The face of advertising has changed radically. Many people can get most everything they need online. If you’re part of the buy local movement, you may enjoy a captive audience, but you will need both a strong online presence and community footprint to thrive in the future.
You may also like: 6 Steps to Building Community Around Your Brand
Image source: elements.envato.com
