What are you doing to assist your local, national, or international community? How are you getting involved, and how are you giving back? Community involvement is typically something that requires more of your time but less of your capital, so if you're operating on a budget, these ideas are for you. Begin by asking yourself the question, "How can I help?" Then, pick the lucky cause, charity, board, or group, and begin helping as an ambassador of your organization. Maybe you help out with an annual event. Maybe you have something to offer by volunteering your time, energy, and talents on a regular basis. Whatever effort you choose to support, make sure you believe in the cause before you commit to it.
Hone your public-speaking skills. Join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org). As you move onward and upward into the business community, you will be called upon to give presentations before groups (one of the best ways to be perceived as an authority on your topic). Being proficient and persuasive in communicating ideas and stories before an audience is a huge asset. If you're petrified by the thought of public speaking, take solace: The point isn't to get rid of the butterflies, it's to get them flying in formation.
Donate your products or services to a charity auction. In doing so, you add value to the fundraiser while promoting yourself. Furthermore, the fact you're willing to offer your time for a good cause can only help your own cause, and you just might be helping someone who wouldn't have been able to afford your services otherwise.
Tip: Get started by contacting your local radio stations, libraries, or newspapers. You might also do a search online for charity auctions in your area.
Be one of the speakers at your local high school on Career Day. This gets you practice in front of what could be a tough group. (If you can keep their attention and inspire them, you can approach any audience.) Be sure to research the school first. Have they won any big games lately? What sport season are they in? What are the students focused on? What are their challenges? How can you make your own story something they can relate to?
Remember: Your audience isn't limited to the students; it includes their parents and the school faculty.
If you are aware of an annual conference in your industry, offer to be a panelist. If it's too late for this year's conference, contact the event coordinators and voice your interest in attending next year's conference. Anytime you're able to present valuable ideas on your topic of specialty, you bring value to the effort of marketing yourself as an authority.
Tip: Nervous speaking in front of groups? Join Toastmasters to sharpen your public-speaking skills.
Teach a class at your local community college. For as little as one or two nights a week, take a few hours and guide a class through the curriculum of your specialty. Students want real-world information from someone who is spending most of his time in the trenches. Bring your successes and failures to them. Let them learn from your experience—and place another feather in your marketing cap while you're doing it.
Volunteer for a local nonprofit group or charity. Maybe you have something to offer by volunteering on an advisory board. Whatever direction you choose, be sure your efforts are a reflection of the values you hold close to your heart. The cause you support must inspire you on a deep, personal level. Otherwise, you will tire quickly and may end up abandoning the effort before you've even begun—and that is not the way to build a reputation for quality.