As a fellow business owner I know how challenging it can be to find cost effective ways to market directly to your ideal customers. Most companies are spending large amounts of money on advertising that simply gets unnoticed. Advertising costs are rising and the rate of return on the investment is decreasing or uncertain.
What if there was an easier more cost effective way to let potential customers know about your business and at the same time show them that you are a business with heart that contributes to uplifting communities?
In 2013 about 18.9 billion was spent by businesses on sponsorship in North America and about 51 billion globally. Why is sponsorship so effective? Studies show word of mouth marketing is the most effective method of marketing available because people want to do business with people they know, like and trust.
Adding a humanitarian leg to your business can build credibility and show your potential clients you are a business that cares. It helps to build a bridge of trust and integrity. Plus as a sponsor you receive acknowledgment for your contribution and collaboration from organization you are supporting.
Adding a Humanitarian Leg to your business can easier than you think.
Here are few options.
- The first option is to start and run your own charity organization (not the easy way, but can be very rewarding).
- The second option is to make regular donations to different charities that you feel aligned with and create a page on your website showing how you support specific organizations. I would suggest you explain why you feel inspired to support the organization(s) you have chosen so your clients feel a connection to it as well. You will not receive marketing/advertising from the organization for your donation. In order to receive a taxable donation receipt your donation must remain anonymous. You can claim your donations as a charity donation in your taxes once using the official tax donation receipt.
- The third option is to become a Humanitarian Sponsor for a charity organization that is in alignment with your values and you can tie into your own business. This is the one that provides the greatest impact and takes your advertising dollars and love donation to a new level. Not only are you focusing your intention and support toward one organization to make a difference, you will also receive recognition for your humanitarian efforts and advertising for your business on their website. This humanitarian sponsorship donation is a fully deductible business expense because you receive marketing/advertising in return.
Ever since I started my Heart Led Living Foundation and added a display about my Kenya project at my table when I speak at events I have had way more people come up and talk to me. When they see how passionate I am about extending love to Kenya and that I donate $2 for every book I sell there is an instant connection.
I hope this article inspires you to consider adding a humanitarian leg to your business. How do you decide which option works for you or which organization to support? Trust your intuition and follow your heart. Now that you have opened your heart and mind to extending love you will know deep in your heart where to begin.
Heart hugs and love xoxo Sue Dumais