EPISODE: 188 – How to Work Your Chamber of Commerce
You joined the Chamber of Commerce – great move. But now what? This episode pulls back the curtain on why just paying your dues and slapping a sticker on your window doesn’t cut it. The chamber isn’t a vending machine where you drop in money and business pops out, it’s a networking powerhouse if you actually use it.
We dig into how to evaluate your local chamber, the right way to get involved, and how to turn those meet-and-greets into actual business growth. From business before hours and luncheons to sponsorships and ribbon cuttings, you’ll walk away with a game plan that puts you in the driver’s seat. And hey, it doesn’t have to be you showing up every time, there are smart ways to delegate this, too.
So if you’ve ever said “the chamber doesn’t work,” you might want to give this one a listen. You might just find the real problem isn’t the chamber, it’s how you’re (not) using it.
Tune in and learn how to work the chamber to work for you.
Timestamps
Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgements(00:00:09) Hosts introduce the episode, topic, and thank sponsors Shop Boss and App Fueled.
Chamber of Commerce Misconceptions(00:01:04) Discuss the misconception that joining the Chamber automatically brings business; importance of active participation.
Evaluating Your Local Chamber(00:02:22) How to research and assess your local Chamber’s value via social media, website, and events.
Chamber Events and Opportunities(00:04:21) Overview of typical Chamber events, luncheons, fundraisers, and sponsorship opportunities.
Member Directory and Secret Shopping(00:06:25) Using the Chamber’s member directory for SEO and the value of attending events before joining.
Delegating Chamber Involvement(00:07:31) Encouragement to delegate Chamber activities to staff, such as service advisors, with possible incentives.
Sponsor Messages(00:08:43) Mid-episode sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled.
Getting Involved in Committees(00:10:43) Benefits of joining Chamber committees and finding one that aligns with your interests.
Chamber Involvement as Business Growth(00:12:05) Chamber and networking as cost-effective growth strategies, especially for new businesses.
Delegation and Networking Evolution(00:13:51) How Chamber involvement evolves as your business grows and the importance of building connections.
Community Initiatives and Chamber Support(00:14:10) Examples of leveraging the Chamber for community projects and the resulting benefits.
Hosting Events and Ribbon Cuttings(00:15:30) Using your shop to host Chamber events and the value of ribbon cuttings for publicity.
Sponsorship and Brand Awareness(00:16:43) Creative sponsorship opportunities at Chamber events to boost brand visibility.
Conclusion and Podcast Network Promotion(00:17:55) Episode wrap-up, encouragement to download the network app, and final sponsor thanks.
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