How to Use the Chamber of Commerce to Promote Your Business
Joining your local Chamber of Commerce can help you gain access to the tools that can promote your business. All the services are free, and you can begin taking advantage of them immediately. Prepare yourself by looking at some advantages of joining your Chamber of Commerce and making plans to participate in the opportunities that are best for your business. You can network, learn from others and make valuable contacts once you know what your Chamber of Commerce offers.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Join your local Chamber of Commerce. You will find it listed as a city organization, so check municipal listings online or in your town's phone book. Many phone books feature government listings in blue pages, so check those for the city section. Once you join, you can ask for a listing of all upcoming Chamber of Commerce meetings.
-
2
Grab your business cards and go to one of the regular meetings at your Chamber of Commerce. You will meet fellow entrepreneurs and have the chance to exchange business cards and make others aware of your business. You can also learn from others who have successfully launched and grown a business.
-
-
3
Prepare your one-sentence pitch. You will have the opportunity to tell other businesspeople what you do, and you need to be able to describe your business with a short, attention-getting sentence. Once you open the conversation with someone at a meeting, focus on ways you can help them reach their goals. This can gain you a valuable ally in the business world.
-
4
Obtain a list of members from your Chamber of Commerce. You will find names and contact numbers. You can contact specific people with proposals for joint ventures and co-marketing programs. Search for businesses that complement yours, and use your shared membership in the Chamber of Commerce as an icebreaker when you call them.
-
5
Use Chamber of Commerce meeting space for your business meetings. This space is usually free, and if you work from home, a professional meeting space can boost your business image. Ask about meeting space when you attend your first networking session.
-
6
Attend special seminars. Your Chamber of Commerce may host learning sessions on a variety of business topics. You can not only learn about many aspects of running a business, you can meet others who are engaged in the same process and gain from their experiences.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You will pay a fee for joining your Chamber of Commerce. The amounts vary with each Chamber but usually these vary with the type and size of your business. Ask for a fee schedule.
