10 Tips on Chamber of Commerce networking for small businesses (Part 1)
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.
Tags: Chamber of Commerce, Marketing, Networking, Small business
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 12:56 pm and is filed under Marketing, Networking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.