By Emma Sturgis

If you own a small business, connecting with local consumers may be essential to your business growth. Even if you make use of digital marketing, giving consumers in your area an opportunity to meet the people behind the business can be worthwhile. As they get to know you and your staff, they will begin to develop trust in your brand.

Participate in local events

Unless you live in a big city, you’re unlikely to see a major convention come to town. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other worthwhile events happening in your area. Keep an eye out for fairs, parades, festivals, and similar events. If you can set up a stand at these events, you’ll have an opportunity to meet people in your community and promote your business at the same time. You will be more likely to gain loyal customers if you are able to interact with them face to face.

Give something back

Philanthropy is an opportunity to give back to your community, while giving you a chance to meet other community leaders. While making a donation is one way to give back, you can get more involved with the community by hosting a charitable fundraiser. You might organize a food drive or sponsor a race to benefit cancer research. There are many causes to consider, so try to pick one that you feel passionate about on a personal level.

Join a community organization

You can interact with your community in a more subtle way by joining a community organization. Perhaps you can even form your own group with other small business owners in the area. You can discuss things that concern all of you, such as finding more ways to connect with consumers in your community. By working together with more business leaders, you will be able to pool your talents and become more effective in your efforts. Local business that have good relationships help with community relationships as a whole as well. Residents in your area will feel a greater sense of community.

Offer a scholarship

You can offer a Scholarship through your business by partnering with a nearby university. This will bring interested students and their families to your business to learn more. It will also provide an opportunity to ensure there will be more skilled professionals in your community to fulfill your future staffing needs. For instance, offering a scholarship in computer programming will ensure you’ll have the brightest and most recently trained candidates to fill your open IT positions. This means you’ll have access to new graduates who possess the latest expertise in providing SMS services for small business and other marketing services.

These are just a few way you can connect with the consumers in your community. By keeping your ear to the ground, you may learn of more opportunities to bond with consumers and other business owners in your community. This will help your business grow over time and help you learn more about the needs and values of the consumers in your community.

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Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2.