Focus on Success: Community Involvement

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”  
​Muhammad Ali 

by Skip Cohen

It's Marketing Monday, and I've still got a lot left in the pipeline for suggestions to help make 2026 one of your very best years in business and to build more brand awareness.

Today, let's discuss the importance of your community. Over the years, I've emphasized how being active in your community increases awareness of your role. If you expect support from your community, make sure you actively support them as well.

People like buying from companies they see as giving back. Being involved in the community takes time, often outside your office. But it's one of the best ways to build your reputation.

So, for those of you who are stuck for ideas, check out the list below for a starter.

• Consider joining local organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Exchange Club, or similar groups to connect beyond just being a retailer in your neighborhood.
• Talk to the president of the local PTA, and don't forget that there are usually several PTAs, one for each elementary, middle, junior, and high school. From photographing events to helping with kids' projects, portraits instead of bake sales, etc., the list of opportunities is endless.
• Got a local hospital? They're always looking for help. As a journalist, help them tell their story. Years ago, photographer, Corey Schwartz put together a day-in-the-life book for Phoenix Children's Hospital that even made the evening news.
• All of the sports teams, from soccer to Little League, the Boosters Clubs always need help. And you don't necessarily need a camera in your hands - just being involved in helping sell hot dogs for a Friday night game gets you great exposure.
• Talk to guidance counselors to learn about the school paper and yearbook. As a photographer, help build their image stash and mentor student photographers.
• Big Brother, Big Sister, and local children's charities always need support and welcome more help.
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out where the greatest needs in your community are.
• Animal and pet shelters, as well as food banks and kitchens, always appreciate community involvement, especially in areas affected by recent hardships.
• Retirement and senior citizen homes have activity calendars that never slow down. Help them build their own archives for editorial and presentations.
• Then there are all the usual national charities supporting the fight against Alzheimer's, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes – you name it, and there's an organization out there trying to make the world a better place.
• Check out your local food bank, especially in areas impacted by so many recent natural disasters and layoffs.
• Food kitchens and efforts to help the homeless are abundant in most larger cities.
• Support for our military is everywhere. Photographers help families with portraits before deployment and upon return. With current world challenges, who knows where or when the next deployment will be?
• Looking for something more photo-centric? Check out Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It's a tough concept and not for everybody, but every artist I've ever spoken with has said their experience was "life-changing."

Think about it for just a second - if everybody we know just gave back a little to their favorite non-profit in their community, how much could we all help change the world?