Being the Change With Your Online Business: Is it Possible?

by Erin Giles

With the number of social entrepreneurs on the rise and the vast amount of issues our world is currently facing you may have wondered if as an online business owner, it’s possible to be a change in the world.

I am here to tell you, you can.

You may think you don’t get enough traffic, make enough money or have a big enough list. That isn’t the case. All you need is to be passionate about a cause and allow your customer and readers to connect with you by telling them why it’s important to you, your business can give and give big.

But there are a few questions you need to ask yourself first before building philanthropy into your business.

1.    What are you passionate about? What pisses you off?

In working with my clients, this is the number one question that I have found helps business owners realize what cause to give to. For me, it was sex trafficking, what pisses you off?

2.    How much time are you willing to spend on your giving project?

If your project is something you are passionate about, spending time on it won’t be hard for you to do. Although in order for you to figure out what give you want to create with your business you must look at how much time you have to give before making a decision.

3.    Where will the money come from? Sales, out-of-pocket or fundraising?

Do not let this one scare you! I know more now than ever before that if your heart is in it, the money will be provided and your profit won’t hurt. First, you have to figure out in what way you would like to go about giving.

4.    Who can help me if I need help?

You will need help launching your do-good mission and you must be willing to ask! Be prepared to ask on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, and your list. People love helping others with a good cause!

5.    Should I give big or give small?

Personally, I like to take on things that scare the crap out of me, so I of course recommend the same. If it doesn’t scare you, it isn’t a big enough world-changing dream! But you must take on something that works with your business model and lifestyle.

6.    Should I wait to give until I am making a good steady income?

This is the most frequently asked question I get asked by my clients. When I started End Sex Trafficking Day our family was going through a rough time financially, so I will be the first to tell you to give no matter what your income looks like.

With all of the issues going on in the world I know it can seem like you can’t make a difference and with our busy lives as business owners and maybe even wives or Moms, it’s easy to push it to the side until the time is “right”. The time to give is now and as a business owner you have more freedom and innovation at your fingertips than ever before, go ahead…change the world, I dare you!