How to Leverage your Chamber Membership

By Bill Johnson

 

 

I have been fortunate over the past 34 years to have an employer who has encouraged local involvement in community organizations including many local Chamber of Commerce organizations.   This includes several appointments to the Board of Directors of these Chambers.   Below are some things I have learned in terms of businesses that are chamber members and how they effectively use their chamber membership.

 

Key findings:

1)       Each business joins the chamber for different reasons.   A few reasons include: networking, marketing assistance, community involvement, branding for their business, development of their employees through various chamber educational programs, staying current on legislative issues or exposure for their business, product or service.   While there are many other reasons to join as well, most businesses join for a specific reason and those reasons tend to vary by type of business and from business to business.

 

2)       Those that get involved in the chamber tend to gain most from their membership.  Ways to get involved include, attending the various events each month, volunteering at least twice a year for a chamber event or participating on a standing chamber committee.  You never know who you will meet which may benefit you personally, professionally or may benefit your business.  The personal interaction you will gain being active in the chamber tends to be invaluable and very beneficial. 

 

3)       Members that stick with their membership look at it as a vital annual investment which enables their business to continue to grow.  Not all good things happen quickly for businesses and a chamber membership tends to grow over time in terms of its importance for a business.  Sadly some businesses give the chamber  "a try" for a year or so and never really gain some traction to benefit their business.  Many times the lack of traction or momentum ties back to point #2, in this case, lack of involvement.  My advice, budget the membership investment in your annual budget and don't cut costs there....again the membership can be invaluable and grow in importance to your business over time.

 

I hope you find these insights from my years of chamber involvement beneficial to you and your business and I hope all enjoy the rest of your summer!