3 Easy Ways to Become a Business Leader in Your Community

Even if you know that becoming a local business leader can help your small business succeed, you may not be sure how to go about it. The good news is, establishing yourself as local small-business leader — and increasing awareness about your company as a result — doesn’t require a big investment, a sophisticated branding campaign, or a team of marketing professionals. All you need is some initiative and these helpful tips on becoming a local small-business leader and making your company better known.

Leadership in Small Business: How to Get Started
There isn’t a magic formula for becoming a local business leader, but developing some tried and true traits of successful leaders is a good start. After that, implement these tips and you’ll be well on your way to success.

1. Attend Local Events
   Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned one, attending local events can help establish yourself as a business leader. Find out what special events are planned in your community — such as outdoor concerts, parades, and fundraisers — then attend a few every month. Introduce yourself to the event organizers, shake some hands, and promote the event on your social networks.

Make sure to take advantage of free advertising at the events you attend. Print or embroider a shirt with your company name and logo and wear it to the events you attend. This will help people recognize you as the owner of your business, and you’ll be one step closer to becoming a community business leader.

2. Share What You Know
   No matter your industry, there are people who want to learn more about it. Sharing your expertise will help establish you as an expert in your field and position you as a respected professional in your community. Offer your knowledge to others through blog entries, social media posts, or roundtable discussions. The more opportunities you take to share your knowledge, the more followers you’ll gain and the more your reputation as a business leader will flourish.

Another way to share your knowledge is to host a class or seminar where you focus on a trending topic in your industry and provide your audience with valuable content they are not likely to find elsewhere. Promote your event on social media during the weeks beforehand, and following the event send an email to participants thanking them for attending. Encourage your guests to join your mailing list by offering them more informative content that relates to the topic your class or seminar covered.

3. Join a Local Business Networking Group
   Become a member of one or more business networking groups such as Rotary International, a local association of young professionals, or Business Network International. Joining groups like these is a great way to network with likeminded professionals and develop important relationships that can help you grow your business. It’s also a great way to find a mentor or become one. Once you feel comfortable, seek out leadership roles within the group.

Find out which well-respected groups for business professionals are active in your area and join the one that meets your needs best. Some focus on serving the local community, while others are more business-centric. Make sure to perfect your elevator pitch before you attend your first group meeting, but remember to primarily focus on making professional connections and establishing trust, not selling your product.

Leadership in Small Business: The Next Steps
Whether your company is business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B), becoming a local leader is an effective way to promote your organization. Take time to think about how you can use these ideas to increase your influence in your community and then lay out an actionable plan.

Keep an open mind, stay positive, and be prepared for some trial and error. Remember, almost every successful business owner has overcome a few setbacks. Figure out what approach works best for you and your small business, and then capitalize on it.

If you found this article helpful, share it across your social media platforms — it’s a great first step to becoming known as a business leader in your local community.