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Chamber of Commerce Member?

DanT | Posted in Business on August 28, 2007 04:14am

I have been a member of the local Chamber for about 5 years.  My late wife talked me into it.  I can’t think of a thing this organization has done for me except get our picture in the newspaper twice when we changed buildings under the heading of a ribbon cutting.

We have attended the business after hours they have monthly and can’t find a job that we can attribute to it.  A few years ago a client called and asked about us and they were told we were a member in good standing but they didn’t actually make recommendations.

I pay my $265 each year and then they call a few months later and want give away items for their basket raffle to raise money.  And they of course have a yearly charity raffle and they want some more give away items.  Also……please bid on the baskets.  So I think I am going to let it go after this run and just stick with the BBB and Builders Exchange which has a better comp and insurance plan than the Chamber also.  Any thoughts?  DanT

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  1. ponytl | Aug 28, 2007 04:40am | #1

    I'm sure each chapter is different... and maybe in a small town it might be more worthwhile...

    I have never belonged....  heard the sales pitch a few times  but... never saw me getting a return on my $$  I know guys who sell insurance love things like that... and church... all about glad hand'n

    very little I've ever spent on advertising i could track into sales...  cept...  the Gun ads i use to run in the free paper "crime stopper"  i use to sell 10-20 charter arms 38's "home protection specials" a month with the coupon for a free box a shells... for $149.95ea   but most of the time  real hard to track...

    spend that same money in a free paper with some type ad geared to old folks... and see what that $265 does for you...  i know around here they sell/install alot of security doors...

    p

  2. RedfordHenry | Aug 28, 2007 05:10am | #2

    The key thing that membership allows is networking, but a lot has to do with the chemistry of the group.  You should be shaking every hand there, giving out cards every time.  Some folks do this well, some need more practice.  I've bumped into a few folks at some of these meetings and have said to myself that I wouldn't hire them to wash my truck.  If you aren't comfortable smoozing, then it's probably not a good investment of your time or money.

    A major key to successful networking is that you should constantly be asking yourself what you can do for someone else.  Don't be totally focused on what can they do for you, that will come in time.  When is the last time you took a look at the Chamber membership list to hire a service or purchase something?

    How many of your competitors are also members?  If there are numerous members that provide the same service that you do, you need to distinguish yourself or you'll be lost in the pack.

    $265 is pricey, my annual fee is $75.  It's nearly the only "advertising" that I do and so far (2 yrs), it's been worth every cent.

    Good luck.

     

  3. Oak River Mike | Aug 28, 2007 05:16am | #3

    DanT,

    We were members of our local chamber and the local builders association.  The two amounted to more than $1k per year.  After a few years of not getting ONE job out of them, we let them go.

    The networking was fun but my weakness is I am a nice guy.  So folks would corner me at meetings and events and ask me a thousand construction questions.  Not wanting to seem like a jerk, I would answer them and essentially give away my advice and knowledge.

    Its no ones fault but mine but I saw nothing good coming out of being a member aside from folks getting to pick my brain so we dropped our membership(s).

    Mike

  4. User avater
    shelternerd | Aug 28, 2007 05:21am | #4

    There are better organizations to spend your money on.

    Align yourself and your business with a good charitable organization that is doing work you are passionate about. Offer to pay the printing costs of their newsletter in exchange for a note of appreciation in the same publication. Volunteer. Feed what you are passionate about and the rewards will be social, and spiritual as well as financial.

    ------------------

    "You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."

    1. User avater
      ladyfire | Aug 28, 2007 06:26am | #5

      We were a member with the Chamber for 3 years. We went to every monthly get together and passed out lots of business cards. Even got involved in the famous Texas Blueberry Festival. Both sponsoring and making new signs, as well as working the volleyball tournaments.

      All these people really cared about was who could get the drunkest and who drove the fanciest car and had the most expensive house. If you didn't fit into any of these catagories, you weren't  given the time of day.

      We dropped out. It was nothing more than a waste of time and money for us.  And not once did we get a phone call, referal or anything work wise related.

      My brain + his brawn = a perfect team

       

      Edited 8/27/2007 11:27 pm ET by ladyfire

  5. User avater
    bambam | Aug 28, 2007 07:19am | #6

    Yeah, what she said.

    A lot of people have been dropping out of our local Chamber for the same reason. Some have been a member for 5 years. I've heard some are really good but ours is not.

    When everthing is going your way, you're in the wrong lane

  6. User avater
    JeffBuck | Aug 28, 2007 07:49am | #7

    belonged to one when I supplied our insurance.

    made huge sense at that time.

     

    after Cath went back to work ... stuck with it trying to make it make sense ...

    didn't get anything out of it.

    dropped it and never looked back.

     

    would join back up in a heartbeat if I needed the insurance coverage.

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

    1. DanT | Aug 28, 2007 12:24pm | #8

      Thanks for the replies.  We have had good success with a BNI group here  and networking has always been an area I do well, once I go to the event.  So we have put our best foot forward as far as participation.  Must just be the dynamics of the local group.  Ours is primarily insurance guys, flower shop owners, realtors etc.  A lot of 60 ish folks.  Maybe that is the issue. 

      It was mentioned that I should do what I am passionate about.  I am passionate about making money lol.  Thanks again, guess I will follow my gut and drop it.   DanT

      1. Piffin | Aug 28, 2007 02:07pm | #9

        I was a charter member of one in a small town.It gave me a chance as a newcomer, more or less to network and schmooze with bankers, lawyers, insurance, and real-estate folks who I am good at dealing with for leads. Now, I don't need that kind of contact so much. They find their way to my door.So it is what are you comfortable with and what can it do for you. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      2. Robrehm | Aug 28, 2007 02:14pm | #10

        Dan I"ve been curious about the DNI group you are in  (i'm assuming you mean the one in Marion) &* keep thinking about coming to a meeting. I belong to A.M. Spirit & have been getting reffereals.

        1. DanT | Aug 28, 2007 08:39pm | #12

          My business number is 740-383-2835.  Call me and I will take you to a meeting if you like.  There is none next week due to Labor Day but the week after or so.  7:30 Tuesday mornings.  DanT

  7. CAGIV | Aug 28, 2007 04:33pm | #11

    we were, now we're not.

    For the same reason.... The owner asked me a few months back if we should re-new for the following year..... I couldn't think back to a single job we had recieved or even a person asking about it. 

     

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