| Since the major part of a small business typically | | | | of what's going on around town and with various |
| comes from business to business services, it is | | | | business members. The more hot little hands these |
| essential to maintain a positive standing with the local | | | | newsletters get into, the better it is for the advertisers |
| business community. It is of value to you to join as | | | | and the better for you as a member. It's also great for |
| many business type organizations as possible in your | | | | chamber membership, the more people who join the |
| town. You should attend meetings when possible and | | | | Chamber the more people in the club to buy from you |
| introduce your clients to each other.Most towns and all | | | | and help all the businesses in the community. If you |
| cities have chambers of commerce. The chamber | | | | have a mobile type business and volunteer to deliver a |
| offers many things to small businesses especially new | | | | chamber newsletter to every business in your area, |
| ones and start-ups. Chambers provide a voice for the | | | | you will surely be a chamber favorite. If you are a retail |
| business community, a bridge between government - | | | | or location based business, have them on your counter |
| small business - corporations - volunteers - religious | | | | for customers and associates. Your customers will |
| organizations - schools - clubs - homeowners | | | | also be glad to receive a copy and and your business |
| associations - corporations - general public - etc. It's a | | | | customers will eventually join the chamber if they |
| monumental job, always changing. It takes money, lots | | | | haven't already. You will be helping businesses |
| of it. It takes coordination and a knack for small town | | | | everywhere in town by doing this. This will be |
| politics. It takes members who will volunteer, who care | | | | recognized. It will also help you when the chamber |
| and are dedicated. Of course that's where you come | | | | does a story on you to put in the newsletter. Of |
| in. Chambers of Commerce hold various events such | | | | course, that month we will print extra copies and direct |
| as:· Mixers· Table Top Exhibits/Expos· | | | | mail them to every licensed business in your town and |
| Seminars· Luncheons· Committee | | | | all of our franchisees. Try to refer fellow businesses to |
| Meetings· Installation Dinners· Benefits· | | | | the chamber each month.Membership |
| Educational Exchanges· Home Based Business | | | | DrivesWhenever the chamber has a membership |
| Groups· Networking Breakfast Meetings· | | | | drive, you should volunteer to help. You have fax data |
| Membership DrivesIf you attend some of these | | | | bases and distribution power "plus" you know |
| events, you will make new friends, contacts and | | | | personally many business owners in town. Chamber |
| customers. Anyone can join the chamber. It usual | | | | membership is the life line of their existence. The more |
| costs $100-450. But you only get out what you put in. | | | | you, we help them, the more they help you. It is okay |
| Many small business owners may see it as a waste | | | | to join many chambers or at least all the ones where |
| of money. In actuality it is relatively inexpensive | | | | you want customers.Logo On VehicleOffer to put a |
| depending how you chose to use your membership. It | | | | magnetic sign on your work vehicles with the local |
| can be long lasting advertising in the form of:· | | | | Chamber of Commerce logo. This helps the chamber |
| Promotion· P.R.· Networking· Free Media | | | | and legitimizes your business. If this is not possible, put |
| Coverage· And FunJoining CommitteesIf you truly | | | | your Chamber of Commerce member plague on your |
| want to become involved, we suggest you join various | | | | dash board. If you have a location business, be sure to |
| Chamber of Commerce committees. Committees | | | | display your plaque where it can be seen by all |
| need your input. You probably talk to one hundred | | | | visitorsMeeting With ChamberYou should be on a first |
| business owners and residential customers per week. | | | | name basis with the Chamber of Commerce |
| Five hundred per month. They know you, they trust | | | | president. You probably already are. He or she needs |
| you and they generally speak their mind to you. When | | | | your feedback. They need to know what's going on at |
| these associates, business customers and business | | | | the street level and no one knows better than you. |
| people talk to politicians, it's a more tactful type | | | | You will be the eyes and ears for the chamber. You |
| conversation. When they talk to Chamber of | | | | should set aside one hour per month to discuss |
| Commerce staff, they tend to also choose their words | | | | concerns you've heard on the street and possible |
| more carefully. When they talk to you, it's more point | | | | solutions you've worked out. Try to make it a regular |
| blank, to the point, blunt and the reality of the way they | | | | meeting such as the first Tuesday of the month at |
| really feel. You'll never get a sugar coated answer to | | | | 8:00 am. This meeting can be with the Chamber |
| a small business dilemma from an actual owner. They'll | | | | manager or even a Board Member you can relate |
| tell you how they feel. Whether they are happy or | | | | with. If you belong to a committee bring your |
| mad as hell about an issue. You also are the eyes and | | | | information and observations there.Network With |
| ears of the community with it's residences.When you | | | | Other GroupsYou should network with your service |
| come to these committees you bring knowledge. You | | | | club whether it be Elks, Lions, Optimists, Kiwanis, |
| will soon find your ideas, observations and personal | | | | Rotary, Soroptimists, whatever. Bring those concerns |
| opinion are paramount. You are the most valuable tool | | | | with you. Help the chamber co-sponsor events with |
| a chamber committee could ever hope to have. You | | | | your club and other clubs, making one big happy united |
| need to ask yourself "Do you have the extra time?" If | | | | family town thanks to you. You can also volunteer to |
| you don't, don't volunteer. There is nothing worse than | | | | help on the Boys and Girls Club, United Way or other |
| a committee member who volunteers and then | | | | associated non-profit, which helps people. By adding |
| doesn't pull through when he or she is needed. If you | | | | your Chamber Membership to a non-profit |
| have the time you be repaid in new business contacts | | | | commitment, you will make a difference and |
| and customers and the feeling of knowing you made | | | | super-charge your business.Attending MeetingsYou |
| the difference.How do you join a committee? Talk to | | | | should attend meetings sponsored by your Chamber |
| the president of the chamber. Tell them you want to | | | | of Commerce. As many as you can. Enough that you |
| volunteer. Find out which chamber committees have | | | | don't need to wear a name tag because everyone |
| openings. Many times there is no limit to the number of | | | | already knows you. You still should wear a name tag. |
| people, so try to pick one with a large group of | | | | However write on it:· A New Friend· |
| members. You will be able to do more networking and | | | | Customer Service· Me· Label· Name |
| big groups tend to divide sub-committee work loads | | | | Tag· Just Me· I love meeting new |
| more evenly. Join a committee that interests you. Don't | | | | people· Put name on upside downSounds funny |
| join one you don't care about. Just like in college, you | | | | but it's a great ice breaker. It works every time. After |
| always got better grades in the classes you enjoyed, | | | | all, there is bound to be a new face popping up every |
| didn't you? Make sure the people in the group really | | | | once in a while. Many of these new members may |
| want to get something done and it's not just a who's | | | | feel intimidated and you can help them and really make |
| who social gathering. That kind of group eventually fails | | | | a new friend and business associate creating team |
| to accomplish even the most basic of mission | | | | work, co-marketing efforts and sharing of customer |
| statements. You are a winner, so you should be in a | | | | lists with non-competing businesses.Trade ShowsTable |
| winning group.Make sure once you have gone to a | | | | top mixers and trade shows are very important. |
| couple of meetings, the turnover is low and that no | | | | Smaller shows - such as city fair, county fair, Chamber |
| one person's ego stands out in the group, especially if | | | | of Commerce Business Fair, etc. - you can do for |
| it's the chairman. If this happens, go to one more | | | | relatively low cost. Pretty good statistics. Trade fairs |
| meeting and dismiss yourself. "Business is so good, I | | | | and shows are good.One of the major advantages of |
| don't have any time left." Then volunteer to with flyer | | | | exhibiting in a show is the tremendous impact that you |
| distribution by leaving information on your counter or | | | | can deliver and direct to a preconditioned group of |
| delivering this vital information to your customers and | | | | prospects. Through your exhibit, these prospects can |
| business clients. Tell everyone you are more than | | | | see how they can benefit from your services and/or |
| happy to be of assistance. Then give everyone in the | | | | products. Exhibiting in various types of shows offers |
| group your card. You can still help without battling | | | | you both short and long range benefits.As with any of |
| personalities. Remember everyone there is | | | | your sales promotion programs, the success of your |
| volunteering and it is better to be a friend than an | | | | show participation depends largely on proper planning. |
| enemy.Board Of DirectorsBeing on the board of | | | | Before you enter a show, analyze all the factors |
| directors of a Chamber of Commerce is extremely | | | | involved and determine if the show will attract |
| important. It's an easy job and very prestigious. It's also | | | | prospects who will require your services. Your final |
| great for business. You will receive notice when board | | | | decision should be based upon the estimate of value |
| seats come up for election. Usually chambers ask their | | | | you will receive for the money, time and effort put |
| members through direct mail if anyone would like to run | | | | forth.To get information on the shows scheduled for |
| for a board seat. Fill out the form with a brief resume. | | | | your area, contact your local Chamber of Commerce. |
| Make sure not to go over the maximum word count. | | | | If you are considering entering an annual show, ask for |
| Try to shave off ten percent if possible because | | | | a list of regular exhibitors from past years. Then check |
| people tend to read the short ones more. Don't | | | | with these exhibitors for their opinions as to the value |
| exaggerate your accomplishments. If you need help | | | | of the show.Referrals - Word Of MouthNo matter |
| with this, call one of the current board members you | | | | what you do at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, |
| know who is not re-running for the same position. Find | | | | remember to bring cards. Chamber mixers draw about |
| out from the chamber what day they will be mailing | | | | fifty people or more, grand openings twenty, |
| the ballots and call everyone in the chamber two days | | | | committee meetings ten. Always say when handing |
| before. It's important not only to win, but to win by a | | | | out cards, "If you do not need our service/products |
| margin. It gives you clout with the chamber members | | | | please take this card and give it to someone who |
| and staff. When you win, make sure to attend as | | | | might be interested. Thanks." This will make the person |
| many meetings as possible. Usually meetings are only | | | | happy that you are not pressuring them and they will |
| one time per month.Grand OpeningsWhen you are | | | | be glad to pass it on.Letters To The EditorYou should |
| privy to information about a new business opening or a | | | | rifle off at least one letter a month to the local paper |
| grand opening ribbon cutting event, you should visit the | | | | praising a small business, the Chamber of Commerce |
| business:· To sign them up as new | | | | or how happy you are to have a business here. If you |
| customers· To offer to give free products or | | | | have a reason to praise more than one person, type |
| service coupons for grand opening goers· To help | | | | the letter and have a co-worker sign it.Conclusion:Your |
| them meet potential buyers, namely all your | | | | success in your business is up to you, we live in the |
| customers· To say hi and let them know you are | | | | greatest country in the world. You are allowed to |
| all in the same boat and wish them many years of | | | | unlimited success, but with that incredible gift you are |
| successInternet ProgramsAlways try to get your | | | | also allowed to fail. The ball is in your court, your |
| company listed in the Chambers on-line directory. | | | | chamber membership can be one of your greatest |
| There may be an additional charges for this, but it is | | | | assets, but you only get out what you put in. Stay |
| worth it.Distribution Of Monthly NewslettersMost | | | | involved, do not ever give up and use your chamber to |
| Chambers of Commerce publish a monthly newsletter | | | | help you win. |