Businesses That Give Back Win In More Ways Than One

With the end of the year quickly approaching and the weather growing more frigid by the day, it can only mean one thing: the holidays are upon us. As a result, it is typically at this time of the year most people feel inspired to give back to the community. The charitable donations of just a few could very easily improve an entire community, which bodes well for everyone. That said, it’s not just the community that benefits from the good will of the few; business that give back stand to position themselves well for the new year. In fact, giving back to the community in which a business works could be a strategic public relations move that helps everyone involved. Continue reading to find out just how companies that give back to the community stand to realize more success.

The Greatest Benefits Of Giving Back To The Community

The holidays have become synonymous with charitable acts of kindness that can both strengthen and unify entire communities. Few things can do more to empower a neighborhood than the selfless acts of even just a few people. Real estate investors, in particular, are in a position to make a lasting impact on their respective area. With their ties to the community, it’s entirely possible for determined investors to positively change the lives of those around them. Investors that give back to the community stand to realize some benefits of their own.

Let’s take a closer look at why businesses that give back will set themselves up for a successful holiday season:

• Build A Loyal Following: As perhaps the most important bullet on this list, the loyalty a company garners from giving back to the community shouldn’t be underestimated. Loyalty is, after all, one of the greatest tools an investor has at their disposal. If you are able to generate a loyal following by giving selflessly to the community you serve, you may find your efforts being reciprocated tenfold.
• Broaden Your Network: In offering their time, experience and/or money to those that could use it, real estate businesses that give back to the community stand to broaden their personal horizons. In making meaningful contributions to a respective area, one opens themselves up to the opportunity to make new connections. Real estate is—at its very core—a people business. The more people you work with to better the community, the more contacts you’ll make. More importantly, the more people you develop relationships with, the more likely you are to find someone that can contribute to your business in a meaningful way.
• Increase Your Brand Exposure: Giving back to a community tends to generate a lot of good will—sentiment that can go a long way in increasing brand exposure. Not only will doing good in the community place more eyes on a company, but it will also develop a sense of trust and loyalty with those who are made aware of your actions—two invaluable indicators for any business.
• Inspire Employee Engagement: Giving back to the community tends to impact the internal operations of a company, too. In helping those around them, your own employees may develop a sense of camaraderie. When promoted, that same sense of belonging to a team that is doing good in a community could very easily translate into a better and more enthusiastic work ethic.
• Improve The Community: Last, but certainly not least, businesses that give back can improve the community they serve dramatically. Whether it’s through charitable contributions or community service, every bit helps. Improving the community can even help home prices and potential profits. In the event your charitable acts do increase the appeal of the community, it’s possible for demand as well as home prices to increase.

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5 Ways To Give Back To The Community

There are a number of things businesses can do to give back to the community they serve, including the following activities:

1. Share Your Expertise
2. Build Relationships
3. Inspire Others
4. Volunteer & Perform Community Service
5. Host Events

Share Your Expertise

As an expert on the local real estate market, don’t hesitate to share your knowledge. After all, there are more types of donations than money. There are just as many people in your area that could benefit from the knowledge you have to share. For example, consider hosting a workshop to share your expertise on real estate rehabilitation. In doing so, you may persuade other investors to contribute to the community via real estate.

In the event you are able to provide value for the attendees, there’s also no reason you couldn’t take up donations. In return for your own insight, kindly ask for donations that will be contributed to a local charity of your choice. That way, your attempt to give back to the community will be magnified two-fold: investors will have a better idea of how to revitalize their community and a local charity many benefit from a few extra dollars.

Build Relationships

The relationships you build on a daily basis are invaluable to your growth and success as an investor. There is no telling where one single relationship can take your career. The next person you meet could either represent another deal, a great partner, or even a source of funding. It is absolutely true what they say: who you know is just as important as what you know. Therefore, if you already have relationships in the community, it might be time to help others do the same.

Don’t be afraid to host a networking event for other investors in your area; help them build relationships like you already have. Doing so may instill a greater sense of community than there already is, and could even perhaps help everyone that attends. As the host, you’ll be recognized as a thought leader and expert in your respective field, and attendees will broaden their own network. The implications of gathering several like-minded investors in one area are staggering, and can do a great deal of good for the community. Whether it’s teaming up to restore the neighborhood “eyesore” of a property or initiating a fundraiser, a lot of great things can come from simply building relationships.

Inspire Others

Actions really do speak louder than words in any profession, and real estate investors are no exception. In fact, it is the responsibility of investors to inspire entire communities and improve the perception of their respective neighborhoods. It is safe to say what investors do on a regular basis resonates more with their neighbors than what they say. Therefore, in proactively getting involved in the community and giving back, investors may set a precedence—one that inspires others to do the same.

Take this time of the year to contribute to the community in anyway you see fit. Pay special considerations to the activities on this list, or perhaps initiate something you are more passionate about; whatever it is, do your best to make a difference. In doing so, your efforts won’t go unnoticed. Giving back is contagious and can potentially serve as the catalyst to inspire an entire community. There is a very real chance your simple participation in any event that “gives back” could inspire others to do the same.

Volunteer & Perform Community Service

Giving back to the community may be as simple as volunteering your time to community service projects. What better way to give back to the community than to perform selfless, charitable acts? Take a minute to write out which community service ideas would mean the most to you, and proceed to act on them. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few community service opportunities to consider:

• VolunteerMatch will award investors the opportunity to search by zip code and enter keywords to narrow the search for results more specific to their interests.
• Investors who are 55 years of age or older should look into Get Involved!, a program sponsored by Senior Corps.
• All For Good is a great source to find and locate community service projects that meet your interests.
• Check the Lions Club International website for specific opportunities near you. With 1.35 million worldwide members, the Lions Club will almost certainly have something for you to participate in.
• Kiwanis International offers volunteer opportunities to help children and families in your community.

You may already have some good information on the community involvement activities in your area, but these options are intended to help those who don’t know where to get started.

Host Events

Businesses that give back typically host events of their own. After all, doing so is a great way to remain proactive and contribute to the community. More importantly, however, hosting events will ultimately result in contributions to the charities you cherish the most. If you already have an idea of the specific events you’d like to host, you may be ahead of the game. However, if you are currently looking for some events to host, here are a few suggestions:

• Clothing Drive: Hosting a clothing drive is simple, and can do a lot of good for the community. With winter just around the corner, new clothes for those that need them the most can do a lot of good.
• Blood Drive: Contact the Red Cross to see if you can schedule their Blood Drive Bus to make a stop at your business. Hosting a blood drive may do a lot of good for the community, but it could also serve to bring in new customers and generate team camaraderie.
• Host An Adoption Event: Contact your local animal shelter and discuss the possibility of bringing some of their animals to your real estate events. You never know who may need a loving companion to go with their new home.
• Sponsor Local Sports Teams: Sponsor a local sports team by giving them jerseys or equipment. Not only will the jerseys and equipment allow kids to play the sports they love, but it’ll guarantee some marketing opportunities as well.
• Soup Kitchen: Consider sponsoring a dinner at your local soup kitchen. The effort you put in to help those in need will surely be appreciated.
• Fundraise: Hold events like silent auctions to raise money for a charitable cause. Try getting local businesses to donate to the cause, and you’ll find that raising money is as simple as offering a helping hand.

Summary

Businesses that give back have found that no good deed goes unnoticed. In dedicating yourself and your business to a worthwhile cause, you may find your efforts pay off in more ways than one. In fact, while selfless actions are their own reward, businesses may certainly benefit from their good actions. In hosting charitable events, blood drives, or real estate investor meet-ups, recipients of your good deeds are more inclined to reciprocate their appreciation. What’s more, giving back to the community that has helped you get to where you are today will almost certainly result in good brand exposure and more loyal customers.

Key Takeaways

• Community involvement on behalf of real estate investors can go a long way in generating brand loyalty.
• Take advantage of community service opportunities to improve not only your neighborhood, but also your own business.
• The benefits of community service extend to the business, as well as the community.