When you are running a business and battling for survival, you need to do whatever it takes to make yourself stand out above your competitors. This usually takes a bit of thinking outside the box. Here are four strategies to incorporate into your business that could make all the difference in the world.

Give Back to the Community

Most businesses always ask for support from the community, but how many of these same businesses give back to the people around them? For instance, if you operate a restaurant, you can donate meals to those families that are struggling. If you run an ice cream shop, you can surprise certain students who are giving back to the community at school with free ice cream. These little things add up and it will definitely get your name out there more often.

Run Your Own Social Media

You can always notice when a business’s social media account is operated by someone special that they hired to take care of it. You should be doing all of this yourself. It will provide you with actual interaction with your customers and potential future customers. Social media is free advertising so if you are not taking advantage of it, you are doing a huge disservice to your business.

Reach Out in an Email

Once a month, email your customers about not only deals that are coming up for your business, but give them a special ten percent discount certificate that they can print off and bring in. When a company gives you ten percent or more off, you almost feel obligated about coming in and using it. Everyone wants to feel like they are getting a deal! But remember, just email them once a month. If you email them any more than that, you are probably going to start becoming annoying.

Add a Translator

If you are truly interested in bringing your business to the next level, which means you soon will be having to communicate with those that don’t necessarily speak your language. Because of this, don’t hesitate to use professional translation services to communicate with your potential future customers. Having something in place ahead of time will save you from a major headache down the road when you are trying to speak with someone that seems to be speacking a language that could be from another world.