Anything to generate a bit of chatter about your business is a great thing. If they are going to talk – may as well give them something to talk about! Local press always love a local story and one where the community benefits are always a winner.

Getting involved in your community is always something many restaurants & cafes aim to do, or already do but feel they don’t get the benefit from it.

Some benefits are:

• Feel-good factor – raising funds for a local charity, planting trees, sponsoring events, or creating special ‘locals only’ offers give you that good hearted feeling that you’re helping to make a difference.
• Networking – the more you get out from your business and into your community, the more people (and potential customers and contacts) you’ll meet.
• Publicity opportunities – getting involved in community events and activities can provide you with news to share with your local paper and press contacts.
• Local rewards – reward your neighbours & make them feel special.
  Sometimes we market to such a broad market and forget the people right next door. Love thy neighbour.

But most importantly…

Supporting your local community gives you the chance to get to know your neighbours. There was a time when people would know the name of the person who delivered their mail, and be able to name all of the owners of the homes or businesses on a particular street. Sadly, most of us don’t get to know our neighbours like we used to. Martin Duncan is a MASTER at this and every seminar or presentation he as ever spoken at – he mentions this very tool.

The Caxton Hotel in Paddington cleverly created ‘Monday Mates Rates’ once their “Two 4 Tuesday’ grew so popular locals were missing out. “Mates Rates Mondays involved showing your drivers’ licence to prove you lived in the local postcode, and then you received a special card. That meant us ‘locals’ could go in every Monday and have our own ‘Two for Tuesday’ deal without the crowds and madness that went on every Tuesday. Clever – and rewarding, it made locals feel special and promote Monday dining for the simple reason they ‘belonged’ to that demographic.

Needless to say, I’d never normally dine out on a Monday but did when I was a ‘Mates’ with the Caxton.

So whether it is providing special offers for local residents, or hosting a dinner to support a local charity, find a new way to support your local community and you’ll reap the rewards or community spirit and the press coverage will surely follow!