Volunteering or giving to charity to Boost Your Biz
Author: Katrina Sawa

Volunteering for non-profit events is one thing I really
love to do. One reason is because I'm not yet in a position
of extreme wealth in order to give a ton of cash donations
which many organizations of course need. So, instead I
volunteer my time because while that is still very precious
to me, it's what I have to give and I fully believe in
giving to others.

Because if you give - you will receive! So, I encourage my
clients and friends to find places and organizations they
can volunteer.

There are many reasons to volunteer:
- Just simply to serve and help others
- To get new business by volunteering in places where your
target market will be
- To make a difference - In the name or memory of a loved
one
- To raise money for the organization
- To be on a board of an organization - either to simply
serve or to increase your credibility and expertise in the
marketplace

Many of these reasons could actually help increase your
business so if at the very least you volunteer because of
that, then I say do it. I normally volunteer for local
chambers of commerce events for this reason. Chambers help
small businesses in their community get noticed, get help
and be heard. I am a small business and I target small
businesses for my clients so this is a WIN-WIN for me.
Chambers do good things in the community for businesses and
residents with the money they raise so I like to be a part
of that. Plus I get a lot of perks from volunteering for
the chambers - such as free tickets to events, exposure and
recognition at events, opportunities to be in front of
members and more. Over the years, I've truly made some
really close friends from the chamber and some of my best
clients are chamber members too.

In addition to volunteering for the chambers (3 right now),
I also highly promote a local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
In 2005 I ran for Woman of the Year. I didn't win but I
raised over $10,000!

When I ran, I collected prizes and donations totalling over
$6,000 in value - spread amongst 6 large gift baskets for
the silent and live auctions - I love doing this kind of
stuff!

I got so much free publicity from this campaign it was
amazing - ads in the paper, articles in many papers, ads in
the local Biz Journal, a billboard with my photo on it,
magazine ads....you can't buy that kind of exposure. All I
did was spent some time raising money, holding fundraisers
and sending out email blasts and mailings.

So, if you're not currently volunteering, I'd encourage you
to do something.

1. First decide if you have time to volunteer just to give
back or if you need to volunteer in places that might be
good for your business too - there is no shame in that.

2. Then do an internet search or ask your friends (or
chambers) if they know any organizations that fit the types
of need, target market for members, cause that you want to
align yourself with.

3. Visit the organization's meetings if you can to find out
if it's a good fit for you and what they need or require in
terms of volunteers.

4. Then decide if that need will fit the goals you made in
order to contribute your time to volunteer.

5. Try not to say YES to any group or organization just
because they ask, make sure they fit your volunteering
goals for right now. I know it's hard to say NO but you
need to in order to spend time doing what will fit for you.


About the Author:

© Copyright 2008 K.Sawa Marketing. Katrina Sawa is an
Award-Winning Relationship Marketing Coach who's helped
hundreds of small business owners take dramatic steps in
their businesses to get them to the next level in business,
revenues and life. She offers one-on-one coaching, group
coaching and do-it-yourself marketing planning products. Go
online now to get started with her Free Report and Free
Audio at http://www.jumpstartyourmarketing.com !