If you caught our Branding on a Budget holiday tips last fall, then you probably already know that Branding Ideas is big on giving. Giving to charities is not only good for the soul, but it’s good for business too. Every holiday season, we ask clients to select from a list of organizations and vote on which one we should donate to. Making charitable donations helps your community while at the same time boosting your image in the minds of consumers. The Walt Disney company’s upcoming documentary Earth opens nationwide on Earth Day, April 22nd. To celebrate the spirit of the film, the company announced that it will plant a tree in honor of every person who sees the film during opening week. The promotion is being touted in national TV spots and advance tickets are already available for pre-sale. Now, not every company can afford to sell a million trees in the Brazilian rain forest, even if it is tax deductible. But there might be some more cost-effective things you can offer to attract new clients and keep existing ones. Most important, there might be things that you’re already doing. Planning to make a charitable donation or sponsor an event this year? Do it in your customers’ names or let them help you decide which cause to support. Making it easy for others feel like they’re involved in a solution to a big problem, especially when they don’t have to do anything at all, could potentially generate big dividends for everyone involved. Got some ideas or had success with a similar strategy? Let us know!