Now before you tune me out and disregard this idea stick with me and Ill tell you how you can use it consistently to generate consistent business flow. I remember a few months ago, I wrote an article on Networking with Your Key Target Audience. It got a lot of buzz. Check it out and grab some cool tips on networking effectively.
Many small business owners have used the Chamber of Commerce as a CENTER OF INFLUENCE. What does the Center of influence mean? It means having a group of like-minded people who are connected / interconnected via a person, group, or association
How many small business owners are making money with the chamber of commerce?
Well heres a fact: We know that the Chamber of Commerce is helping people make money. Otherwise it would be a dead institution but trust me it is not. Its thriving in most areas.
Here is why?
The Chamber controls a large, active, and prosperous center of influence. The Chamber of Commerce is made up of business owners; company Presidents, CEOs, V.P.s, association presidents, and other movers and shakers. Because the Chamber cost a lot of money, it keeps out those who are unsuccessful because they cant afford the joining fee.
By charging this prequalifies its members and has consistently led to the local businesses and community leaders taking active part in the Chamber of Commerce over the years to get their monies worth.
I know it could be quite expensive joining the Chamber of Commerce but it gives you access to people that can grow your business.
I remember one client from London who had consistently used the Chamber of Commerce to secure corporate speaking engagements on her seminar titled Fitness at Work.
After a few years of frequenting the Chamber socials and networking meetings, she had secured half dozen companies who formally endorsed this bootcamps to all its employees! One Chamber meeting resulted in the towns largest employer including her flyer as a statement stuffer in their employees pay checks and they did it for free. Her flyer said, Special Offer to XYZ Corporation Employees: Free 1 Week Bootcamp, normally 149, when you bring this coupon. It resulted in 30+ new patients and she said theyre still bringing them in. She would not have grown her practice, if she had not joined the Chamber of Commerce.
How to Get Your Monies Worth
The key is being active. Its not a place to show up with your hand out, attend two meetings, and then whine you havent gotten clients. Its about relationship building and that can take time.
Offer to speak at meetings on topics of interest to business leaders. Giving a short educational speech in front of these business leaders is a great way to become known as a Player very quickly.
Heres what another small business owner did to grow her fitness bootcamp:
She attended the networking meetings and socials sponsored by the Chamber. She did this for about 3 months and then offered to sponsor a dinner for Chamber members to raise money for charity. As the leader / organizer, she was able to meet many people; they saw her as a local community leader, and have resulted in a booming business.
She got her name/photo in the paper and built community equity through her efforts. She found that the leaders who made up the Chamber took notice and started referring her fitness bootcamp. Give consideration to joining your local Chamber of Commerce.
Just be aware that some Chambers are more active than others, so if yours is stale it might NOT be a good idea. Ask around
I recently joined a free networking group here in Luxembourg called The Business Lunch. It started less than a year ago starting the just 8 members. Now it has grown to over 61 people attending the lunch every month.
You dont really have to belong to a paid network to get result. You just need to go to those that are active. Members talk about their business, refer business to one another and give testimonial about each other services. Its growing pretty quickly and I wouldnt be shocked if it doesnt grow its member to the 100s it the next few months.
If there is nothing in your area thats not giving you the result you are your potential audience need. Create one yourself.
In the next few weeks I will write an article about how to create your own networking and referral group.
Let me ask you this?
Are you working you local networking group or you thinks its a waste of time.
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