07:06
Faizan
When businesses think about how to attract new customers by giving to a community, they often think only in terms of gifts of money or merchandise in exchange for displaying their company name and logo as a supporter. But why not give away information instead, or charge only a nominal fee? Nearly every business has advice to offer about their area of expertise.
We've all seen community education classes. Writers' conferences are filled with presentations by authors and booksellers and editors. Home stores regularly hold classes on how to lay tile or paint an interior room. Medical conferences have lectures by researchers and pharmaceutical marketers. Plant nurseries host workshops on creating Christmas wreaths or succulent bowls. Art supply stores and craft stores have classes on using various materials in artistic ways. You have probably received catalogs of community education classes from colleges or senior centers, or you might belong to a club that regularly hosts speakers. All these organizations welcome experts who want to come and share their knowledge.
The list of possibilities is pretty much endless. If your business does graphic design, consider holding a short workshop on how to use colors for emotional impact or how to choose the best fonts for print or online use.
If you run a home remodeling business, you could hold a class on planning a kitchen update, demonstrate how to draw a basic blueprint to scale for a contractor, or discuss how to evaluate new fixtures for durability or energy efficiency. If you run an investment business, hold a session on how to plan for retirement or college expenses. Develop websites? List and discuss all the elements people should consider when creating a website, and compare and contrast existing websites for their effectiveness. Are you an accountant? You might give a class on basic bookkeeping, or on how to set up a spreadsheet you keep track of expenses. Are you in the catering business? Teach how to make a healthy vegetarian dish, or talk about how to use spices in recipes. Do you sell clothing and accessories? Give a class on choosing appropriate styles for all body shapes or 10 ways to tie a scarf, and the audience will come.
We've all seen community education classes. Writers' conferences are filled with presentations by authors and booksellers and editors. Home stores regularly hold classes on how to lay tile or paint an interior room. Medical conferences have lectures by researchers and pharmaceutical marketers. Plant nurseries host workshops on creating Christmas wreaths or succulent bowls. Art supply stores and craft stores have classes on using various materials in artistic ways. You have probably received catalogs of community education classes from colleges or senior centers, or you might belong to a club that regularly hosts speakers. All these organizations welcome experts who want to come and share their knowledge.
The list of possibilities is pretty much endless. If your business does graphic design, consider holding a short workshop on how to use colors for emotional impact or how to choose the best fonts for print or online use.
If you run a home remodeling business, you could hold a class on planning a kitchen update, demonstrate how to draw a basic blueprint to scale for a contractor, or discuss how to evaluate new fixtures for durability or energy efficiency. If you run an investment business, hold a session on how to plan for retirement or college expenses. Develop websites? List and discuss all the elements people should consider when creating a website, and compare and contrast existing websites for their effectiveness. Are you an accountant? You might give a class on basic bookkeeping, or on how to set up a spreadsheet you keep track of expenses. Are you in the catering business? Teach how to make a healthy vegetarian dish, or talk about how to use spices in recipes. Do you sell clothing and accessories? Give a class on choosing appropriate styles for all body shapes or 10 ways to tie a scarf, and the audience will come.
Posted in: business
