Community Involvement

Very simply, this category asks you to think about what are you doing to be an advocate for your community. What are you doing to assist the local, national or international community? How are you getting involved and how are you giving back? Community involvement is typically something that requires more of your time but less of your capital, so if you're operating on a budget, these ideas are for you. Begin by asking yourself the question, "How may I help?" Then, pick the lucky cause, charity, board or group and begin helping as an ambassador of your organization. Maybe you help out with an annual event. Maybe you have something to offer by volunteering on an advisory board. Whatever direction you choose, be sure your efforts are a reflection of the values you hold close to your heart. The cause you support must inspire you on a deep, personal level. Otherwise, you'll tire quickly and may end up abandoning the effort before you've even begun and that is not the way to build a reputation for quality.

Host a class fieldtrip.

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Contact a local school about hosting a class fieldtrip if you feel your work or location would be of interest to an appropriate age group. You will want to detail what value the experience will bring to the kids. Try not to schedule such an event around any deadlines or busy periods you might have. You will want to take your time with the tour to ensure your captive audience is able to remain engaged.
 

Volunteer for a local non-profit group or charity.

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Volunteer for a local non-profit group or charity. Maybe you have something to offer by volunteering on an advisory board. Whatever direction you choose, be sure your efforts are a reflection of the values you hold close to your heart. The cause you support must inspire you on a deep, personal level. Otherwise, you'll tire quickly and may end up abandoning the effort before you've even begun and that is not the way to build a reputation for quality.
 

Teach a class at your local community college.

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Teach a class at your local community college. For as little as one or two nights a week, take a few hours and guide a class through the curriculum of your specialty. Students want real world information from someone who is spending most their time in the trenches. Bring your successes and failures to them. Let them learn from your experience and place another feather in your marketing cap while you're doing it.
   

Offer to be a panelist.

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If you are aware of an annual conference in your industry, offer to be a panelist. If it's too late for this year's conference, contact the event coordinators and voice your interest in attending next year's conference. Anytime you're able to present valuable ideas on your topic of specialty, you bring value to the effort and marketing yourself as an authority.

Tip: Nervous speaking in front of groups? Join Toastmasters to sharpen your public-speaking skills.

 

Be one of the speakers at your local high school on career day.

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Be one of the speakers at your local high school on career day. This gets you practice in front of what could be a tough group (if you can keep their attention and inspire them, you can approach any audience.) Be sure to research the school first. Have they won any big games lately? What sport season are they in? What are the students focused on? What are their challenges? How can you make your own story something they can relate to?

Remember: Your audience isn't only the students, but also the parents and faculty.

   

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