Why Join the Chamber?

Tony Rubelski

Here are seven great reasons to join your local chamber:

1. Visibility. Yes, you’ve heard it said time and time again, out of sight means out of mind. This is not a smart strategy for any business, especially when times are good. A market can change quickly. While good is the enemy of great, complacency and short-term thinking is the enemy of sustained marketing breakthroughs.

2. Access. Unless you’re crazy or like consistent rejection, no one enjoys making cold calls all day long. When you join a chamber and actively get involved, you’ll discover that meeting prospects who can refer you to the key contacts you’re trying to reach is a huge benefit of membership. You’ll soon find yourself in situations where you can identify and meet decision-makers face-to-face.

3. Ongoing training and education. Unless you have the luxury of a training budget or can afford to bring in local, regional or nationally known experts on different topics, I firmly believe that there’s no other organization in America that delivers timely programs at such an affordable price as a local or regional chamber of commerce.

4. Networking. From seminars, luncheons to business expos and various business and community committees, there’s absolutely no excuse for not being able to meet new contacts, referrals and people who can help you with ideas and additional ways to grow your business. The old adage “out of sight, out of mind,” is so true in networking. In addition, doing business with fellow members who offer wonderful products, services, and ideas is also a big plus.

5. Low-cost advertising opportunities. As far as visibility at the local level, a chamber offers a wide range of free or affordable advertising options and sponsorship packages for just about every business or nonprofit, regardless of how big or small their budget may be. This is a wonderful way to hold your marketing dollars accountable and see them working hard right before your eyes.

6. Advocacy. A chamber researches, lobbies and routinely discusses with local and regional government units, politicians and the media to keep people up to date on central issues of importance pertaining to their membership and the community. What happens to your local employees and customers does have an impact on your business, even if you’re a national chain.

7. Money-saving discounts. If you fully leverage the cost-saving discounts — ranging from health insurance, to office supplies, to discounted phone service, to other items your business currently uses or will need — it’s not uncommon for a small business to easily find enough savings in the first 30 to 60 days upon joining with endorsed providers or member-to-member discounts to recoup most, if not all, of their membership dues.

ONCE YOU ARE A MEMBER CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED