Connecting the community
Every community has a myriad of skilled residents. These skills can range from blog writing to crafting the perfect business proposal or grant. Imagine what it would be like if you could learn from these many skilled people in your local community. And now think of how many people you can help by teaching your personal and professional skills and talents to your neighbor or the single mom that lives across town. With so many talented people around you, there really is no reason not to glean some of their valuable input and share your own. HourSchool makes that possible.
As a small business pro, you have a lot of information that could benefit members of your local community. While it may be tempting to use HourSchool to overcharge for a class or workshop, that really defeats the whole purpose and point of this in-person networking site that they’ve created. So, with that in mind, here are some ways to give back to your community by teaching them useful skills and still benefiting and promoting your business:
Team Up and Donate Proceeds
Team up with a local charity. This way, you can share promoting efforts and get each other’s networks involved. Your outreach for your workshop event will expand from this one simple effort. When it comes to your workshop fee, don’t make it an exorbitant amount, just something modest and reasonable. HourSchool isn’t about making a profit; it’s about sharing your skills with others to ultimately benefit the community. So, why not donate all proceeds to that charity you’ve team up with? Not only will you be helping teach a skill or knowledge base, but you are actually making an immediate difference to the lives of those touched by the charity.
Hold it in Your Office
To cut down on expenses and stress, consider holding your community class or workshop in your office. This will make you feel more comfortable teaching a workshop, for starters, and it’s convenient for both you and the attendees. This will also ensure you have the materials and technology you need to create a fantastic workshop or class and demonstrate your skills. As a bonus, it’s great for branding which will make your giving proceeds to charity worth it on your end as well.
Be an Expert
The point of HourSchool is to connect experts and those wanting to learn a new skill. So, make sure you’re an expert in your chosen course. If you have a proven track record, your attendees are more apt to trust you, which makes them more receptive students. If you’re not an expert, team up with someone who is and work together. Even if you’re not an expert, you have valuable and beneficial information to share.
Don’t Sell Yourself
During your workshop, you don’t need to lay it on thick. There is no need to sell yourself to your attendees. Instead, focus on demonstrating your expertise. If you can do that, it will be more beneficial for you than handing out pamphlets, flyers, and business cards. Remember, HourSchool is about giving back and strengthening your community, one workshop at a time.
Be an active participant
You’re an integral part of your local community. So, be an active participant and find unique ways to give back. And as a side benefit, this type of work will promote your business and better your professional reputation more than the traditional marketing tools every business uses. Those you teach today may become your business associates or partners in the future.
