Benefits of Joining Your Regional Chamber of Commerce

After putting it on hold for more than a year, we recently joined the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. On Wednesday the 25th I visited their monthly networking event at the Shadows on the Hudson. Today’s post will be about my observations at the event and what the Chamber is and is not. Above […]

By Gentian Shero

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So far I have discussed what the advantages of being/becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce  are. As you see the Chamber is a great resource to grow your business and stay up to date with what is going on in your community. Guaranteed, you get way more than what you pay for.

Now, let’s go to what the Chamber it is not.

All the above will not magically happen just because you paid your dues. In order to get maximum exposure and learn from others you have to be an active member. Try and participate in the Chamber’s events 3-4 times a month at least. Don’t think that because you became a member and your name is in the membership directory, people will come running to your business. Putting it differently, people will buy from people they know, people they like, and people they trust. Who is that person? Your competitor who participates in all the Chamber’s events.

As mentioned in the beginning, the Chamber is about long-term business growth and relationships. If you are somebody who is accustomed to an “Elevator Sales Pitch” and all you care about is just that sale, then the Chamber is not for you.

In my opinion, the right thing to do is completely the opposite of the sale. Just meet other business owners, learn from them, what they do, how they do it and talk about what you do. With time people will recognize your face, get to know you and have trust in your expertise. When the right time comes and they are in need of your services or products you’ll be the first one who will come in their mind or who they will refer their friends too.

That’s all about the Chamber for right now. I look forward to meeting many ambitious local business owners and professionals. Join your local Chamber of Commerce if you haven’t joined it yet! It will be the best investment you have ever made.

Best,

Genti

Chief Strategy Officer at

Gentian, CSO and co-founder of Shero Commerce, guides the company and client digital strategies. He's an expert in technical SEO, Inbound Marketing, and eCommerce strategy.