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The Importance Of Serving Your Community Before You Start A Business

Published by Small Town Startup on
gathering of small business owners at Small Town Startup

In a small town community, trust is the foundation of everything that you do. For any small business looking to set up shop in a small town, it's vital to prioritize serving your community in a meaningful way before ever thinking about selling. This approach fosters a genuine connection with the community, creating a strong bond of trust that can lead to long-term support and success. Let's explore the importance of serving before selling and how it can positively impact your business in a small town community:

Authenticity Breeds Trust

Small towns thrive on the uniqueness of each individual resident, and residents value businesses that genuinely care about their needs and interests. By focusing on serving the community first, you're showing your commitment to their well-being rather than solely going after the sale. This authenticity resonates with people, fostering a sense of trust that cannot be easily replicated - and frankly, can help you weather a lot of storms in the long-run. No one expected the pandemic, but many small, established businesses were able to weather it because of the built up support and trust they had in their communities who refused to let them fail.


Establishing Strong Relationships

Serving before selling provides a platform for building meaningful relationships with community members - not just business card exchanges at networking events. Doing things like volunteering your time, sponsoring local events that you then attend and spend time with the community at, or offering your expertise for free to non-profits or other causes in your area are key. When you do things like this, your business becomes an integral part of the fabric of the town and its growth and progress. Each event, volunteer job and conversation builds relationships with those around you and those relationships are so vitally important when it comes to having a successful business in a small town. 


Creating a Positive Reputation

Word-of-mouth is the most powerful form of marketing, and even more incredibly influential in small town communities. When you prioritize serving your community in big and small ways alike, you create positive experiences that people can't help but share with others. By consistently going above and beyond to meet the community's needs, you establish an incredible reputation as a business owner that genuinely cares about their community and its success. This reputation spreads, attracting new customers and cementing the trust of existing ones. There are few things you can't buy as a business owner to help your business succeed - and trust and loyalty are some of them. The only way you can achieve this is by putting in the hours and the actions. Believe us, it's worth every second.

 

Understanding Community Needs

Serving before selling allows you to intimately understand the unique needs and wants of the community. By actively engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and addressing them, you position your business as a trusted advisor. This understanding enables you to tailor your products or services to meet their specific requirements, ensuring that you remain relevant and indispensable.


Building a Supportive Network

Small towns thrive on interconnectedness, and by serving before selling, you become a huge piece of that trusted network. Collaborating with other local businesses, community organizations, and influencers such as non-profit leaders, government officials, and community leaders, allows you to amplify your reach and in turn create more impact. The more you invest in serving and supporting others, the more they will reciprocate, creating a foundation of support around yourself, your business and your community.

In the close-knit environment of a small town community, serving before selling is the most powerful strategy for building trust, support, and long-term success. Establishing yourself as a trusted partner and valued member of the town is going to be one of the most important steps you take in starting and growing your business. It's so important to embrace the power of serving before selling, and watch as the community embraces you in return.