If you are a military veteran running a small business, we havesome good news for you. Americans want to purchase from a veteran-ownedbusiness. It’s true.
In fact, two-thirds of the respondents in a national poll revealedthat they’d be more likely to buy from a veteran-owned business, according tothe NationalVeteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). They trust veterans, appreciate their skills and respect their workethic.
Now that you know most people would prefer to do business with aveteran, how do you get the message out that you are a veteran-ownedbusiness? Try implementing these threestrategies.
1.List your business in veteran-specific online directory listings. You can tap into several free online businessdirectories specifically for veteran-owned businesses. Consider listing yourbusiness in:
There’s no requirement that yourbusiness be an SBA-verified veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-ownedbusiness. The information you provide is considered sufficient proof.
2.Display your veteran-owned status proudly. Because afree directory listing will reach only those who know of and think to consultthe business directory, you need to brand your business as one that isveteran-owned.
Make sure to place a sign or placard in an obvious location onyour storefront. Then you can incorporate your veteran-owned status into all ofthe materials used in your business, from your letterhead, business cards andprint ads to your company cars and delivery vans. And don’t forget to mentionyour veteran-owned status in your email signatures, Facebook page and website.
While you can take a do-it-yourself approach and design theselogos yourself, your NaVOBA membership includes the right to use their“Veteran-Owned Business” badge and to download the logo for use on yourwebsite, letterhead and business cards. TheVeterans Business Directory also offers logos to help with your brandingefforts.
3.Develop your local network. While much business is conducted online, many small business owners dotheir best promotionalwork in person. Contact your local veterans’ groups to see if they have a directoryor referral network for fellow veterans.
Try offering an exclusive discount to members of theseorganizations. And highlight your veteran-owned status when you attend localchamber of commerce events and job fairs. Hosting veteran-to-veteran appreciation promotions where you providespecial limited discounts can help you attract even more business.
Remember, most of the people in your community would prefer to dobusiness with a veteran. But it’s up to you to make sure they can find yourbusiness.
About Business Owner’s Toolkit With an emphasis on problem-solving dating back to 1995, Business Owner’s Toolkit™ (www.toolkit.com) offers more than 5,000 pages of free cost-cutting tips, step-by-step checklists, real-life case studies, startup advice, and business templates to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The site also offers a monthly newsletter, up-to-date news topics, and Ask Alice!, a column that closely follows industry trends and provides trusted advice to inquiring site visitors.
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