Looking for ways to boost your business, expand your network and get more involved in your community? Volunteering is one way you can do a lot of positive things all at the same time. You may know that volunteering is good for you and your community, but it might not have dawned on you that volunteering can actually help you build your business too.
Get involved with volunteer projects, committees, fundraisers and even joining a board of directors for a nonprofit organization are ways many individuals extend their social and business contacts. Volunteering is a really fabulous way to meet and get to know new people and to build ever expanding social networks which can pay off in business growth. Of course, it depends on the type of home business you operate—but even someone who does a somewhat solitary job like writing can benefit from the networking and contacts of local volunteering. Perhaps you will pick up additional work doing business writing, press releases, grant writing or other writing projects that may be available in your own community. You wouldn’t even have known they were available and possible if it wasn’t for getting out and getting involved.
This doesn’t mean you should volunteer JUST for the business opportunities—you’ll want to find something you genuinely believe in and can really sink your teeth into. If you get involved in something you don’t feel passionate about, you may be tempted to desert the project early or do a lackluster job—this could definitely hurt your reputation and business more than it helps. Genuine human connection and cooperative volunteering are much more likely to help you grow as a person and help you grow your business.
There may also be some public relations options available if your business becomes involved in supporting local charities or volunteer projects. You’ll never know, unless you take some time and get out and volunteer!