John Ingrisano, a Algoma, Wisconsin-based marketing consultant talks about one of the most basic ways to get you or your business noticed - doing well by doing good.

Some ideas that I pulled from John's article

• Get involved with your industry associations - do work for them - have them give you a free mention
  
• Make local community involvement part of your business and PR/Marketing strategy
  
• Volunteer: Join your local Lions Club or Chamber of Commerce and get involved in community service. Work for the organization and forget about business. However, every member with whom you serve is a potential customer, and people in the community will remember that you are taking the time to get involved in a good cause. (And don’t forget the press release.)
  
• Commit your business to fund-raising. Donate a certain percent of sales for a week to cancer research or your favorite cause.
  
• Be creative. Look for opportunities. Make a list of ideas and then try one or two. It won’t be long before you find one that clicks … and you may be surprised how your prestige and profits grow.