Almost a year ago I wrote about the importance of giving back to your community.   It’s such an important part of your efforts to build your brand that it deserves a few more comments.   As business starts to pick up you need to make sure you don’t lose sight of how much it can help you build your reputation. 

Years ago I had the opportunity to hear Jay Conrad Levinson speak. Known best as the originator of the expression “Guerilla Marketing”, he talked about the top 100 things Guerilla Marketers need to do.  At the very top of the list was “be involved in your community and charities”.   Why?  Because, people like to buy products from companies they perceive as giving something back.

It’s cause-related marketing at its best and it helps build your brand beyond just being a photographer.  Let’s face it, you’re looking for the community to be good to you.  So, what are you doing to be good to your community?

I’ve had a lot of guest posts from professional photographers all involved in various charities.  I ran “Charity Fest” and posted a week of great ideas from all over the country on how photographers were using their skills to make the world a better place.  And, by “world”, I’m not talking about planet earth – just your corner of it.  Obviously some projects were much bigger than others, but the point is, these were photographers who went ahead and did something, instead of just talking about it.  

In a previous blog I wrote,  

By my calculations, (and trust me, these numbers will rarely match what you hear quoted from PPA or PMA) there are approximately 260,000 professional photographers in the United States, when you combine both part time and full time  involvement.  While that’s not a very big industry, imagine the impact we could have if EVERYBODY made it a point to give something back, especially when you add in all the manufacturers, associations and conferences.”

Note: I've updated that number and believe it's closer to 300,000.

Finding a charitable cause in your community couldn’t be easier, but you have to take the time.  Just read the local paper.  What’s going on in your community?  If the school tax bill didn’t pass, then the arts are going to suffer, starting with the yearbook, photo club, newsletter etc.  All, perfect matches for you to lend a hand as a professional photographer.

Is there an event coming up that might need your skills as a photojournalist?  Everything from a walkathon to organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary and Exchange Club all have a major charity drive each year.

Check with your local hospital, police force, fire-fighters – they always need help and they always have an event they’re sponsoring.  Then there are great organizations like Big Brother and Big Sister.

Within the photographic community, there’s NILMDTS (Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep) and Thirst Relief, both taking two completely different approaches to serious issues and both being run by photographers totally dedicated to helping make the world a better place.   And let’s not forget PPA Charities, founded over ten years ago by Bert Behnke, I’m proud to have been one of the original members of the team along with Helen Yancy, Steve Troup, Dennis and Lori Craft, just to name a few.

The importance of giving back isn’t about how big the charity is or even how much you’re able to help – it’s simply that you do help and by helping you raise awareness for the cause and yourself as a member of the community!