Get More Businesses Involved 🖋️
One of the most common challenges BIDs face is encouraging businesses to get involved.
Whether it's attending events, contributing ideas, supporting campaigns or engaging with communications, many BID teams would like to see greater participation from levy payers.
It's easy to assume businesses aren't interested.
In our experience, that's rarely the case.
Having worked with BID areas across the UK, we've found that most businesses want to engage. The challenge is that they are often busy, short on time and focused on running their day-to-day operations.
The question isn't whether businesses care.
The question is how can BIDs make engagement easier, more relevant and more valuable?
Make The Benefits Clear
One of the biggest reasons businesses don't engage is because they don't understand what's in it for them.
Before asking a business to attend an event, support a campaign or participate in an initiative, clearly explain the benefits.
Will it:
Increase visibility?
Drive footfall?
Generate awareness?
Help attract new customers?
Provide networking opportunities?
The clearer the value, the more likely businesses are to get involved.
Ask For Input Early
People are far more likely to support something they have helped shape.
Rather than presenting a finished idea, involve businesses during the planning stage.
Even simple surveys, informal conversations or occupier visits can help gather feedback and make businesses feel included.
Engagement starts with involvement.
Make Participation Easy
Business owners are busy.
The more complicated something feels, the less likely they are to take part.
Think about ways to reduce barriers.
Can information be shared clearly?
Can promotional materials be provided?
Can businesses participate without committing large amounts of time?
Small changes often make a big difference.
Celebrate Businesses
One of the simplest ways to increase engagement is by regularly shining a spotlight on businesses.
Whether through social media, newsletters, PR coverage or events, businesses are more likely to engage when they feel recognised and valued.
Celebrating successes helps strengthen relationships and encourages future participation.
Build Relationships, Not Databases
Emails and newsletters are important, but they shouldn't be the only form of engagement.
Some of the strongest business relationships we've seen have come from face-to-face conversations.
Taking the time to visit businesses, understand their challenges and discuss opportunities creates trust and often uncovers ideas that would never emerge through email alone.
Engagement Is A Long-Term Process
There is rarely a single initiative that suddenly transforms business engagement.
The most successful BIDs build relationships consistently over time.
They listen.
They communicate.
They celebrate successes.
And most importantly, they demonstrate value.
When businesses understand how the BID supports them, engagement becomes far easier.
Let's Start The Conversation
Whether you're looking to strengthen business engagement, increase participation or build stronger relationships with levy payers, we'd love to hear about your experiences.
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