Leveraging a Chamber of Commerce Membership into Business Development

Consider This

Leveraging a chamber of commerce membership into business development is as easy as wining and dining your way through ribbon cuttings … or is it?

In reality, leveraging a chamber membership isn’t always what it seems.

When I enrolled in my first chamber, I thought the best way to make new connections was to join the marketing committee. That investment of 25 – 30 hours per month left me no time to attend socials because I only budgeted so much time for the chamber.

Strategy

This was a strategic error. My colleagues on the marketing committee were the only members aware of my abilities and efforts. I felt good about contributing, but I wasn’t meeting new people or having much fun. In retrospect, I should have spent more time at social gathers and less time on marketing.

A Healthier Approach

As the saying goes, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” The adage suggests that a healthy balance of work and play is an essential part of thriving, and it certainly applies to chamber participation.

Too much work without play time can create levels of fatigue and stress that can sensed externally. You don’t want to be perceived as the “tired and the weary” if you happen to squeeze in time for a chamber social.

Chamber Committees

Chamber committee work can be very rewarding. For a marketer, there’s a sense of accomplishment, whether it is launching a new site, writing an article about a nonprofit, or promoting an event. Volunteering on any of the other committees (e.g. chamber ambassadors) can be equally fulfilling.

Attending Chamber Socials

Everyone has a different comfort level at chamber receptions. Some anticipate working the room with sales pitches to anything that moves while others may not have a planned strategy at all. They may be content to drop anchor in one place and converse with the smiling faces nearby.

Our recommendation is to always be true to yourself. Prepare and rehearse a 30-second business introduction (aka “the elevator speech”) and deliver it as needed.

Leveraging a Chamber of Commerce Membership through Work and Play

We encourage you to attend the next chamber of commerce ribbon cutting in your area. Think business and promotion, but by all means, relax and enjoy. You may discover that leveraging a chamber of commerce membership can be as much play as it is work.