A friendly wave, a genuine smile, and a simple, “Hello,” go such a long way in today’s fast-paced world.
It’s so easy to be a good neighbor; in fact, being a good neighbor may be the easiest thing in the world to do.
September 28 is National Good Neighbor Day (and NextDoor has declared September as Neighbor Month – more on that in a bit). We’re a part of the Cooper-Young neighborhood in Memphis, and that’s a colorful, proud, friendly neighborhood that we are so proud to be a part of. Being a good neighbor is something we take seriously, not just personally, but professionally as well.
How do you go about being a good neighbor? So much of it is common sense, really, with extra kindness baked in: say hi, smile, offer a kind word. Once this pandemic is over, offer your neighbors some freshly-baked treats or a few veggies from your garden and invite them over for a fun afternoon. Chat about any common ground or ask for advice – puppy play dates, gardening tips, that sort of thing.
But how can a business be a good neighbor? NextDoor has a few tips that are helpful, and many of these tips apply both in-person interactions and on social media:
- Welcome new neighbors to the neighborhood. Answer any questions they may have and share business expertise (if appropriate).
- Follow them on social media and interact with them.
- Keep your own business’ information updated across all platforms. Your neighbors won’t be happy if they have a late-night craving for your best appetizer – but you closed two hours earlier than usual and didn’t tell anyone.
- Tailor your posts and business offers/discounts to your neighborhood. Do any of your neighbors have dogs? Consider becoming pet-friendly: 10% off if you bring your pooch along. If you’re near a university, consider staying open later to match college students’ busy schedules or offer a student discount. Making your business as diverse and inclusive as possible also helps your customers feel welcome and comfortable.
- Do your best to respond to customers’ and neighbors’ questions and messages as soon as you can. This gives you a chance to show that you care about your customer and to promote any products that they might be interested in.
Business is built on relationships, so being a good neighbor is truly an important key to success. We may be in Neighbor Month now, but it pays to be a good neighbor year-round.
What qualities do you look for in a good neighbor? How do you try to be a good neighbor in your area?
