Making
the Most of Your Chamber Membership
Anyone can
join the chamber. But just like a health club membership, you only get out what
you put in. If you join a gym, pay your
dues, but never show up, at the end of the year, whose fault is it that you did
not reach your fitness or health goal?
The gym’s owner, the trainers, the staff? Of course not!
Chamber
membership is exactly the same way. If
you pay your dues, but then never “go” either
by getting involved or attending any of the events, you will not attain
your business fitness or health goal—the one that compelled you to join in the
first place!
Many small
business owners may see it as a waste of money. In actuality it is relatively
inexpensive depending how you chose to use YOUR membership. It
can be long lasting advertising in the form of:
- Promotion
- P.R.
- Networking
- Free Media Coverage
- And Fun
In many "small chambers" a majority of members pay less than $400 per year for membership. That is less than $1 per day, per year—some
of us are crazy enough to spend $4 or more per day on a cup of coffee,
certainly we can find $1 each day to invest in the success of our business! Where else can you get access to so many qualified business leads and contacts
right in your own community for less than $1 each, have 24/7/365 presence for
your business included, and get referrals on a regular basis, in addition to a
number of other benefits of your membership?
If you truly
want to become involved, I suggest you join a Chamber committee. Committees
need your input and expertise! You probably talk to one hundred business owners
and residential customers per week. Five hundred per month. They know you, they
trust you and they generally speak their mind to you. When these associates,
business customers and business people talk to politicians, it’s a more tactful
type conversation. When they talk to Chamber of Commerce staff, they tend to
also choose their words more carefully. When they talk to you, it is more point
blank, to the point, blunt and the reality of the way they
feel. You will never get a sugar coated answer to a small business dilemma from
an actual owner. They will tell you how they feel. Whether they are happy or
mad as hell about an issue. You also are the eyes and ears of the community
with its residents
How do you
join a committee? Talk to the chamber staff. Tell them you want to volunteer.
Find out which chamber committees are available. Some have year-round commitments;
some have short-term commitments, such as for specific events. Join a committee
that interests you and that you will be able to make some time for. Don’t join
one you don’t care about. Just like in school, you always got better grades in
the classes you enjoyed, didn’t you?
Grand Openings
Are you taking
advantage of the opportunities a Grand Opening presents? When you read/hear/see that a new business is
opening or has held a grand opening ribbon cutting event, you should visit the
business:
- To sign them up as new customers
- To offer to give free products or service
coupons for grand opening goers
- To help them meet potential buyers, namely all
your customers
- To say hi and let them know you are all in the
same boat and wish them many years of success
Attending Events
You should
attend meetings and events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
As many as you
can. Enough that you don’t need to wear
a name tag because everyone
already knows you. You still should wear a name tag. After all, there is bound to be a
new face popping up every once in a while. Many of these new members may feel
intimidated and you can help them and really make a new friend and business
associate creating team work, co-marketing efforts and sharing of customer
lists with non-competing businesses. Bring lots of business cards, and make
commitment to yourself to attain at least 2 new solid business contacts that
you will follow up within the next week.
Letters To The Editor
You should
rifle off at least one letter a month to the local paper praising a small
business that you have recently visited, the Chamber of Commerce or how happy
you are to have a business here. This is free publicity for you as well as the
person you are writing about—and we can all agree that there is never enough
“positive” news in the media.
Conclusion:
Your success
in your business is up to you, we live in the greatest country in the world. You are
allowed to have unlimited success, but with that incredible gift you are also allowed
to fail. The ball is in your court, your chamber membership can be one of your
greatest assets, but you only get out what you put in. Stay involved, do not ever give up and use your
chamber to help you win. Your Chamber Membership is your business’s Health and Fitness Club—be sure that you are taking your
business to the gym regularly so that it can get the exercise it needs to
remain healthy!