Here is an article written for the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce which was published in their monthly newsletter this month.  I would like to share it with you all as you build your businesses because it is one of the ways to promote your business.

The Importance of Being a Chamber Member

According to Wikipedia, “a Chamber of Commerce is a business network – a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses…”

One of the most important decisions you can make as a business owner or an individual is to join your local Chamber.

Your Chamber wears many hats from working with the City to create an environment conducive to business growth, promoting its’ membership to the community, sponsoring community events, promoting tourism and providing business networking opportunities to provide an environment for its’ members to do business with each other and promote each other.

If you own a business and would like for your business to grow, the best place to start is with your local Chamber to attend business networking events and meet a large number of the City’s businesses and professionals.

As a Chamber member, you will have an immediate common bond with those professionals and they may be more open to meeting you, develop a relationship and possibly do business with you or refer you to others in the future.

As well as being listed in the Membership Directory, there are other benefits such as additional press and announcements in the community for your new membership and opportunity to participate in free or low cost advertising opportunities to promote your business.

Just having a Chamber membership doesn’t guarantee that your business will grow. Your name on a roster isn’t enough – you still have to work your business. You have to put yourself where people are so you can meet them and develop relationships with them to build trust.

People do business with people that they know and trust.

You have to put in time to build this.

Show up at as many Chamber events as possible and utilize business networking and the skills that you are learning. Volunteer at the Chamber. There are always opportunities available to build relationships with others.

The Chamber of Commerce is not the only “tool in your toolkit” to build your business, but it is a very vital tool to the success of your business.

 

Article written by Dona Bonnett

adr Business & Marketing Strategies

 

For more information about how Dona can work with your business to meet your business & marketing goals, please contact her at 256.345.3993.