How to Keep Your Local Business Connected to the Community

Today, keeping your local business connected to the community is more important than ever. Supporting local businesses promotes the health of the local economy. If people associate your image with the local community, they will be more likely to support your company name. But how do you draw their interest, stay relevant, and connect with new customers in today’s fast-paced world? Following are four major ways to keep your local business connected to the community and still grow your company.

Partnerships
Forming partnerships with other community organizations is a crucial way to keep your business involved. The most straightforward partnerships are with local charities and schools. You can also partner with organizations to form special products. For example, a local coffee shop might partner with a local brewery to develop a special craft beer. This is often a great opportunity for advertising and expansion. Keep an open mind and a lookout for places where you can form new partnerships.

Events 
Community events can be large or small, but when you are involved, you show that your business is invested in the community. If your business is a restaurant or coffee shop, you may consider hosting local musicians or poets in your shop once a week. If there are local filmmakers in your community, you can offer a free screening of their movie inside your business. 
These events can be as elaborate as a race for charity with many other businesses, or as simple as a few flyers. Generally, hosting small events on a regular basis will do the most to connect you to the community and gain more attention for new business.

Sell Local Products
Selling local products is the most economically important way to keep your business connected to the community. If your product is food, locally source as much of it as possible. The same goes for beverages. If possible, display local art and even use local furniture in your business. 
If your product is a service, like car maintenance, this does not really apply. However, as long as you do the service in house, you are keeping the business and economic gains local. Remind customers of this and keep word of mouth moving by going the extra mile for loyal and local customers.


Social Media and Technology
Utilize technology you have such as Facebook, Meet-up Groups, Email lists, and a well-crafted website. All of these are either free or inexpensive to maintain, and they help communicate your business’s events and goals to the community. Have an Ottawa IT services or other local group help you with hosting, creating, or maintaining an online profile. When you do partner with another local organization or start to sell a new local product, you can tell your patrons about it online. Keeping your online presence up-to-date is essential to staying connected and getting more attention from new customers.

Today, keeping your local business connected to the community is important because it can help you to grow, and helps support the local economy overall. Use these ideas to get started making waves in your area.