Business Recruitment Guide
Every local business you bring on is one more place your supporters can shop and generate givebacks for the causes they choose. You’re not asking for a donation—you’re offering the business new customers.
One honest note: a business you recruit gives to whichever cause each shopper picks—not automatically to your nonprofit. Your nonprofit is funded when your own supporters (who’ve selected you in the app) shop, so recruiting businesses grows the places they can give from. You don’t earn a cut of the business’s sales.
The Mindset Shift
Traditional nonprofit-business relationships feel one-sided: you ask, they give (or don’t). ShopGiv changes the dynamic completely.
| Traditional Approach | ShopGiv Approach |
|---|---|
| “Would you donate to our cause?” | “I can bring you new customers.” |
| You’re asking for money | You’re offering value |
| Business sees cost | Business sees opportunity |
| One-time transaction | Ongoing relationship |
| Feels like charity | Feels like partnership |
Key Insight: Business owners get pitched for donations constantly. They’re conditioned to say no. But new customers? That gets their attention.
The “Community Hero” Pitch
Business owners respond to two primary motivators: new customers (revenue) and community recognition (reputation).
Opening Lines
“I can bring you new customers who specifically want to support businesses that give back. Interested?”
“What if I told you there’s a way to get new customers AND become known as the business that supports [cause]?”
“Are you familiar with ShopGiv? It’s a platform that connects values-driven customers with local businesses like yours.”
The 60-Second Explanation
“ShopGiv is a free app where people choose a cause to support—like [Nonprofit Name]. When they shop at businesses in the app, those businesses contribute a small portion to the cause.
Here’s the key: You only contribute from new sales made through ShopGiv — customers who found you because they wanted to support a cause.
So you get new, loyal customers. Shoppers get to support the causes they care about. And those causes get funded automatically every time someone shops. Everyone wins.
The application takes about 10 minutes. Would you be open to learning more?”
Handling Common Objections
“I can’t afford to give away 5% of my margin.”
“I totally get that concern. But here’s the thing—you’re not giving away margin on your existing customers. The contribution only comes from new revenue made through ShopGiv.
If a customer finds you through ShopGiv and spends $100, and you contribute 5%, that’s $5 on $100 in revenue you might not have seen otherwise.
Your fixed costs don’t change with that new customer. So that $100 is almost pure profit at the margin level. Even after the 5% contribution, you’re way ahead.”
“I already donate to charities.”
“That’s great—it shows you care about the community. But ShopGiv is different from a donation. This is customer acquisition.
Instead of giving money and hoping it builds goodwill, you’re getting actual customers who chose your business specifically because you support causes they care about. Your contribution only happens after you’ve already made the sale.
Think of it as marketing that pays for itself—with the added benefit of supporting the community.”
“I need to think about it.”
“Of course! Here’s a one-pager that explains everything. Take your time to review it.
I’ll follow up in a few days to answer any questions. And if you want, I can connect you with another local business owner who’s already a vendor—they can share their experience directly.”
Important: Always leave a one-pager. Always follow up.
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch. The app is free. There’s no monthly fee. You only contribute when you make a sale from an ShopGiv customer.
Honestly, the only risk is that your competitors sign up first and get that community hero positioning before you do.”
The Profit Math
Many business owners don’t understand marginal profit. Help them see the math.
Current Customer
NEW ShopGiv Customer
Scaling Example
| New ShopGiv Customers | Annual Revenue | Your Contribution (5%) | Marginal Profit (30%) | Net Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $10,000 | $500 | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| 50 | $50,000 | $2,500 | $15,000 | $12,500 |
| 100 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 |
Who to Recruit
High-Frequency Businesses
People visit regularly:
- • Restaurants and cafes
- • Coffee shops
- • Hair salons / barbershops
- • Auto repair and maintenance
- • Dry cleaners
- • Pet services
High-Ticket Businesses
Larger purchases:
- • Auto repair shops
- • Home services (HVAC, plumbing)
- • Furniture stores
- • Fitness studios
Community-Minded Owners
Already care about giving back:
- • Businesses that sponsor local events
- • Owners in Rotary, Chamber, etc.
- • “Locally owned” messaging
Follow-Up Strategy
Timeline
Follow-Up Script
Did you get a chance to look at the information? I’d love to answer any questions and help you get set up.
Let me know if you’d like to chat or if I should check back another time.”
Conversation Framework
The Approach
If you know them: “Hey [Name], I want to share something that could help your business AND support [Nonprofit]. Got 5 minutes?”
If you’re a customer: “I love this place and I want to help bring you more customers like me. Have you heard of ShopGiv?”
The Hook
“I can bring you new customers who specifically want to support businesses that give back.”
Pause. Let them respond.
The Explanation
Give the 60-second explanation (above). Focus on: new customers, only pay after the sale, everyone wins.
Handle Questions
Use the objection responses above. Stay conversational, not defensive.
The Close
If interested: “Great! The application takes about 10 minutes. Would you like to do it now, or should I follow up tomorrow?”
If they need time: “Totally understand. Here’s a one-pager. I’ll check back in a few days.”
Need Help?
Want ShopGiv to help with a tricky business conversation? We can:
- • Join you for a pitch meeting
- • Provide a warm introduction
- • Answer technical questions