_Austin Chamber
Austin Chamber - Why Chambers of Commerce Are Still Relevant
Austin Chamber
Chambers of commerce provide valuable resources and training. They're old fashioned but nonetheless effective. Much more so in this "disconnected virtual world" most of us live in. We crave human contact because we're social creatures of course.
_
Your Chamber offers built-in networking which is the lifeblood of several small businesses. For a lot of local company owners networking is the only way they are fully aware to drum up more business.
For new owners having a technical skill but no company experience they're a life preserver within an ocean of fear.
You might be more business savvy but chambers still supply a great deal of "juice" for your business. And then for a somewhat inexpensive. The investment is excellent because it means only serious companies who're dedicated to networking and business growth are going to be members.
These are the basic people you'll be reaching.
Find a Local Chamber
[ChamberofCommerce.com]
This is the authority directory. Just type in to the search box on top right your city, state or zip code to find the nearest chambers. You'll be able to determine which to analyze.
If you reside near a sizable city there is likely a primary Chamber of Commerce in addition to many "satellite COC's" which serve the suburbs. Join as many as you have time for you to attend.
Also, you can aquire a free listing for your business. It's important to be for auction on power sites because Google sees your business weight loss important. Ensure you enter all of your info correctly. No typos. Bear in mind - you will likely get offers to buy stuff. This really is area of the game every time a service is free so don't get mad. It's worth the listing about this power site. Your business will improve off for this.
Do I join?
Your primary purchase of any chamber is going to be your time and energy. When you're considering whether to join a specific chamber, like the Austin chamber [youtube link or embed code here], the first question you gotta response is whether you're going to position the time and energy to attend a lot of the events as well as networking meetings.
It will not work if you do not work it.
It's only going to be definitely worth the small monetary investment if you're going to be present. A significant rule of thumb is to attend at least 50% of chamber events. Attending 80% or maybe more with the sponsored business events is better yet.
Do I have to attend?
As the company owner it's not necessary to attend. You are able to send a worker to represent your organization. Just do therefore the way I would recommend so that you get maximum results.
My recommendation
As a local company owner select one chamber to participate in in fully. Attend 80% or maybe more with the events. You're your company's ambassador to those chamber members.
By showing up consistently to each event they visit your face repeatedly. They get to know your face and associate you together with your company. Plus they remember what service or product you've got.
This means once they overhear someone who has the problem your business can solve they'll recommend you. Your referrals skyrocket.
Here is the major reason you're probably joining a Chamber of Commerce anyway. It's about more referrals, networking and growing your business.
Sure, you must value one other business people before they'll care about your needs.
But the final point here is you worry about your company and all sorts of another members know this. It's okay because they care most about their own home based business. So it's an extremely quid pro quo environment. Everyone understands the principles of the game so expectations are met.
For your employees they'll be your company's ambassador to 1 with the "satellite chambers" in your town. Assign a staff member to a specific chamber and same goes. This employee attends 80% or even more of the chamber's events so the members their get acquainted with your employee's face. And they associate your employee using the solution your company provides. Each time a problem arises they recommend your organization.
True Networking
"Business networking is a socioeconomic activity by which sets of like-minded businesspeople recognize, create, or do something about business opportunities."
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_networking]
True networking isn't the slimy "Have your people call my people".
The reason why you attend over 80% of the events is for meaningful conversations with a select few other business people. At one event you could only arrive at talk with 3 or 4 fellow members.
This really is fine as the impact of the conversations will probably be much greater than just circulating around saying "Hi". Don't be that annoying guy who just thrusts his business card in the hands of everyone in the room. That guy isn't getting any organization nor any respect.
And without respect they will not refer you.
It is a a bit more investment of your time but finding out first regarding business and asking them some probing questions will get you much better results. And since you're going to the majority of the events anyway you'll see the folks you didn't get to speak to. You will have a chance at the next event to talk with 3 or 4 new people.
You get to say "Hi" and get quick updates from the 3 major or 4 people you spoken with at the previous meeting.
It's the additionally worlds.
Be active. Be there. Be concerned.
You don't need to have a Half hour conversation with any particular owner. 5-10 minutes of truly engaged conversation goes a long way.
Bonus Tip
"If 80% of success is merely arriving then 80% of networking success is simply residing in touch." - (paraphrase) from master networker Keith Ferrazzi
Jot down notes from your conversation on the back of the business card. Get those specific details about their business or problems they're having noted. And you can offer solutions or resources to assist them to out your overnight. Or even the next event the truth is them at.
This can be so helpful to them they'll remember you usually. Are going to compelled to refer you every chance they get.
And becoming referrals may be the main reason you're investing all of this time into your local Chamber of Commerce anyway.
Austin Chamber
Chambers of commerce provide valuable resources and training. They're old fashioned but nonetheless effective. Much more so in this "disconnected virtual world" most of us live in. We crave human contact because we're social creatures of course.
_
Your Chamber offers built-in networking which is the lifeblood of several small businesses. For a lot of local company owners networking is the only way they are fully aware to drum up more business.
For new owners having a technical skill but no company experience they're a life preserver within an ocean of fear.
You might be more business savvy but chambers still supply a great deal of "juice" for your business. And then for a somewhat inexpensive. The investment is excellent because it means only serious companies who're dedicated to networking and business growth are going to be members.
These are the basic people you'll be reaching.
Find a Local Chamber
[ChamberofCommerce.com]
This is the authority directory. Just type in to the search box on top right your city, state or zip code to find the nearest chambers. You'll be able to determine which to analyze.
If you reside near a sizable city there is likely a primary Chamber of Commerce in addition to many "satellite COC's" which serve the suburbs. Join as many as you have time for you to attend.
Also, you can aquire a free listing for your business. It's important to be for auction on power sites because Google sees your business weight loss important. Ensure you enter all of your info correctly. No typos. Bear in mind - you will likely get offers to buy stuff. This really is area of the game every time a service is free so don't get mad. It's worth the listing about this power site. Your business will improve off for this.
Do I join?
Your primary purchase of any chamber is going to be your time and energy. When you're considering whether to join a specific chamber, like the Austin chamber [youtube link or embed code here], the first question you gotta response is whether you're going to position the time and energy to attend a lot of the events as well as networking meetings.
It will not work if you do not work it.
It's only going to be definitely worth the small monetary investment if you're going to be present. A significant rule of thumb is to attend at least 50% of chamber events. Attending 80% or maybe more with the sponsored business events is better yet.
Do I have to attend?
As the company owner it's not necessary to attend. You are able to send a worker to represent your organization. Just do therefore the way I would recommend so that you get maximum results.
My recommendation
As a local company owner select one chamber to participate in in fully. Attend 80% or maybe more with the events. You're your company's ambassador to those chamber members.
By showing up consistently to each event they visit your face repeatedly. They get to know your face and associate you together with your company. Plus they remember what service or product you've got.
This means once they overhear someone who has the problem your business can solve they'll recommend you. Your referrals skyrocket.
Here is the major reason you're probably joining a Chamber of Commerce anyway. It's about more referrals, networking and growing your business.
Sure, you must value one other business people before they'll care about your needs.
But the final point here is you worry about your company and all sorts of another members know this. It's okay because they care most about their own home based business. So it's an extremely quid pro quo environment. Everyone understands the principles of the game so expectations are met.
For your employees they'll be your company's ambassador to 1 with the "satellite chambers" in your town. Assign a staff member to a specific chamber and same goes. This employee attends 80% or even more of the chamber's events so the members their get acquainted with your employee's face. And they associate your employee using the solution your company provides. Each time a problem arises they recommend your organization.
True Networking
"Business networking is a socioeconomic activity by which sets of like-minded businesspeople recognize, create, or do something about business opportunities."
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_networking]
True networking isn't the slimy "Have your people call my people".
The reason why you attend over 80% of the events is for meaningful conversations with a select few other business people. At one event you could only arrive at talk with 3 or 4 fellow members.
This really is fine as the impact of the conversations will probably be much greater than just circulating around saying "Hi". Don't be that annoying guy who just thrusts his business card in the hands of everyone in the room. That guy isn't getting any organization nor any respect.
And without respect they will not refer you.
It is a a bit more investment of your time but finding out first regarding business and asking them some probing questions will get you much better results. And since you're going to the majority of the events anyway you'll see the folks you didn't get to speak to. You will have a chance at the next event to talk with 3 or 4 new people.
You get to say "Hi" and get quick updates from the 3 major or 4 people you spoken with at the previous meeting.
It's the additionally worlds.
Be active. Be there. Be concerned.
You don't need to have a Half hour conversation with any particular owner. 5-10 minutes of truly engaged conversation goes a long way.
Bonus Tip
"If 80% of success is merely arriving then 80% of networking success is simply residing in touch." - (paraphrase) from master networker Keith Ferrazzi
Jot down notes from your conversation on the back of the business card. Get those specific details about their business or problems they're having noted. And you can offer solutions or resources to assist them to out your overnight. Or even the next event the truth is them at.
This can be so helpful to them they'll remember you usually. Are going to compelled to refer you every chance they get.
And becoming referrals may be the main reason you're investing all of this time into your local Chamber of Commerce anyway.