Using Your "Green" to Promote Your Business

After you have gone through EnviroStars program to reduce hazardous waste, and used the Shoreline Green Business Program checklist to adopt all the conceivable ways you can to save money and reduce your environmental impact it is time to start making connections in the community to promote your business. 

Outside of the typical print or radio ads making connections by meeting other business owners and participating in exhibitions can provide additional opportunities to promote your business. 

Meeting and getting to know other business owners on a social level sets the stage for cross referring business to each other. Participating in exhibitions allows you to connect with other business people and the general public.

Local chambers of commerce, rotary and other community groups provide opportunities to establish relationships with other business owners. Consciously making an effort to get to know the other business owners, what kind of service or product they offer will enable you to refer business to them. It is a mind set that when fostered within organizations helps everyone to prosper.

Exhibition opportunities can be a lot of fun and productive if you are well prepared. Get creative in producing your exhibit. Do you have a dynamic demonstration?

For example, at the 2011 NW SolarFest Alden Shank of CleanScapes took a tarp and laid it out on the blacktop in an open area of the fair. Wearing rubber gloves and other gear to protect his clothing Alden grabbed a trashcan that had been accumulating trash all morning and early afternoon.

Alden dumped the trash on the tarp and started sorting it into recyclable, compostable and trash while describing out loud what he was doing.

People gathered around to watch and ask questions. At the end of the demonstration people understood what Alden was teaching them. They also knew all about CleanScapes and the services they provide.

It is that kind of interactivity that people will remember. And be sure and give them your business card or magnet, key chain or something with your contact information on it that they will want to keep.

When not doing a demonstration get out in front of your booth to greet people with an offer of a handshake as they go by.

There are many exhibition opportunities such as the Seattle Home Show, or The Schmooze Fair in Skagit County. If your business has to do with sustainability you can exhibit at NW SolarFest in July at Shoreline Community College. If your business is located in Lake Forest Park you can participate in the Earth Smart Green Fair at Third Place.

Using your dedication to sustainability and the larger community to differentiate yourself from your competition, combined with outstanding service will help you develop a loyal customer base.