How to strengthen relationships using community giveaways

By Melanie Vandenboogaard

Building strong community connections can contribute to an organization’s success and draw loyal customers. In fact, according to one survey, 70% of Canadians are more likely to buy from businesses that give back to the community. Create meaningful connections by combining community giveaways with fun ways to connect and give back. Here are four ideas to boost engagement in your community.

Create a time capsule

Capture the essence of your community by creating a time capsule. Post your plans on your website and social media, and encourage people to contribute items, stories and photographs that represent their connection to the community and your business. Thank everyone who contributes by giving them a cotton canvas tote or branded cap.

Ask neighbouring businesses and community members to help promote the time capsule by displaying posters and yard signs. Encourage them to mark their calendars for the big reveal, when all of time’s past treasures are uncovered.

Hang a “Hall of Heroes”

Know a local entrepreneur making an impact? Want to highlight a community nonprofit? Celebrate the heroes in your community with an honourary wall of fame. Post a photo and include a few paragraphs about why each nominee is being highlighted. Ask the community to vote for their favourites.

Celebrate nominees at an after-hours open house. Present all candidates with a ribbon and award winners with a lapel pin. Send everyone who attends home with a little something to remember the day, like a festive sugar cookie or mood cup.

Host a community fair

Laughter, excitement and fun—there's nothing quite like a community fair. Come together with other local businesses to host an event that’s fun for all ages. Hand out playing cards, imprinted with the event’s date, to drum up excitement prior to the big day. Each business can set up a booth where they can share information, host a game and hand out prizes.

A rubber duck pool is fun for kids and kids at heart. Customize your own prize drop with discount coupons, cash and useful community event giveaways, like pizza cutters.

Spice up connections

Delight taste buds and celebrate the diverse flavours of your neighbourhood with a recipe collection. Encourage community members to share their favourite recipes and create a special cookbook that can be shared online for all to enjoy. Enter those who participate into a prize draw for a kitchen tool set imprinted with a fun phrase, like “Savour the flavours of our community.”

Better yet, host a cook-off where everyone can make a dish to pass. Vote on the best recipes and give winners a special gift, like a cast iron skillet. Thank everyone who attended with a small item to commemorate the day, like a colourful spatula or set of measuring spoons.

A community that plays together, stays together

Help everyone in the neighbourhood get to know and support each other by using these community giveaway ideas and fun ways to connect. Your organization will soon be a well-known brand.

Melanie Vandenboogaard

Melanie VandenBoogaard is a senior merchandising category manager with nearly two decades of experience in the merchandising industry. She specializes in bags—including backpacks, totes, and more—staying on top of trends to ensure 4imprint offers a wide selection that meets customers’ needs in both style and price. Melanie also leads product development for 4imprint’s private-label brands, where she enjoys creating, building, and designing new products.

All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.

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