TIP #6 – I double dog dare you!
Chances are, if you aren’t the inventor of a a new cutting edge product (potentially built in your garage), then at face value, you and the widgets you sell are not much different than your competitor and his widgets who is across the room.

With that said, I dare you to be different! I’m not saying stick your tongue on the frozen flag pole, but take a unique approach.

When introducing your company, use that catchy tagline you’ve been going back and forth on. Think of this as a test market. If you sell t-shirts, you should be wearing the coolest t-shirt in the room. If you can’t think of something catchy or how your product or service differs, than maybe you’re just the best dressed person in the room. I’m okay with that!

TIP #7 – Follow up
You’ve heard it a million times but it continues to separate the good from the great. It’s important to follow up with everyone that you exchange cards with because you never know where that next sale or partnership will come from. Collect those cards, send those emails and give people the chance to remember who you were.

“It was nice meeting you. I was the guy wearing the Hungry-Hungry-Hippos T-shirt.”

TIP #8 – The Big Fish…maybe
More important than following up is Following Through. You met some nice people that you will “keep on your list” but there was hopefully that one “prospect” that had you smiling, rambling (speaking highly of your company), making promises and thinking “I can’t wait to tell my team who I just met!” No matter how much potential lies in this new relationship, if you don’t do what you said you would do, when you said you would do it and how you said you were going to do it, it will fizzle into nothing. It could potentially get your brand off to a bad start as well…but that’s another subject!

TIP #9 – And for the Grand Finale…

…here a few quick and small tips that I think should make the list. I know they’re simple but many people forget the little things…and it’s the little things that count.

9 1/4 Keep a little cash on you. Tip bartenders, especially when the drinks are free.
9 1/2 Check your breath. Chew gum before networking, not during.
9 3/4 Take your parking garage ticket in with you to get it validated.
9 7/8 Hold your drink in your left hand to prevent cold, soggy hand shakes. (But when eating hold your plate in the right hand and eat with your left-switch when you shake).

TIP #10 – Other peoples money
During your free chamber networking experiences, if you head the above 9 tips in any way, you just may get a new client, partner or vendor. Hopefully, the revenues or cost savings will be enough to finance your new chamber membership!

Try these tips out with a few different chambers around your metro area and before you know it, your business will be a household name (in the business community).

Too often I run into small business owners who either “can’t afford to be a chamber member”, “doesn’t have the time” or “it’s just not their thing”.

This article is not to speak on the value of joining the chamber. They are all different and have a sales team for that. This will give the “What to do and how to do it” after you’ve educated yourself on how a chamber membership can positively impact your business.

Read this short article for tips on taking advantage of the local chamber organizations within your market place.

TIP #1 – Where’s the bar?
If you are not currently a member, almost all chamber of commerce organizations accept guests at 1 or 2 of their core networking events. There are 6,936 chambers in the US according to the US Chamber of Commerce and I’m willing to bet that all of them have a website. Go to it, check out the Calendar of Events and pick one where you can potentially meet a prospective client and go! Best place to start is at an event with alcohol. I’m just saying.

TIP #2 – Roll out the red carpet
Contact a vendor, client or friend who is a chamber member and say, “Hey, aren’t you a chamber member? I’m looking to join but I wanted see what its all about. Can I be your guest at the next [insert specific event that you researched here].” Make sure whom ever you are a guest of, RSVPs and lets the chamber know that you’re coming.

Bonus Tip: The chamber hosts or sales team will see you as fresh new meat; being the potential new member that you are they will give you the red carpet treatment, introducing you to potential clients, matching you with vendors and other local bigwigs that will have you wide-eyed with fortune. Take advantage – you’re VIP!

TIP # 3 – Pull the “I’m new here” card
When you go, be on time, even before your friend gets there. That way you can meet people on your own. When they ask you who you are you can say “I’m so & so, with so & so company, a guest of so & so with so & so company. We go way back! One time we worked together on [insert short and memorable story about a business experience].” Now that you’re talking about what you do, lead into other services you offer and even more about yourself. And you did it all without it being forced or sounding sales-ee. And if for any reason you feel like you messed up, it’s okay, you’re new here!

TIP # 4 – Reservation for one please!
Question: What if you don’t know anyone that is already a chamber member?

Answer: Call the chamber directly. Introduce yourself and the company you represent and follow the Bonus Tip above accordingly. Remember, the chamber is a business just like yours. Don’t you love when clients call YOU? I do!

TIP #5 – I just ran out (don’t be that guy)
Please have at least 15 business cards on you at all times. Granted it’s always best to get “their” info so you have the power to follow-up but you don’t want to look like Joe Schmoe with no logo who runs his business out of his garage…even if you run your business out of your garage. Plus, there are usually door prizes for those who drop their business card in the fish bowl. Free stuff, yay!

Bonus Tip: Check out Overnight Prints or Print Place for affordable, high quality cards at the last minute.