Chamber Basics

THE CHAMBER | Why it Matters

To most business owners, the Chamber supplies more benefits than the cost to join and/or keep an active membership. It is similar to a gym membership. If you have a gym membership, but do not go, you still pay, but do not receive the benefits. The gym has all the resources to get you the results you want; you just have to show up and do the work. The common theme with any membership is the same. When it comes to business, anytime you pay out of pocket you want to see a return on investment. Well, if all members were to work and apply the benefits of the Chamber, then the Chamber of Commerce could pay out the expected return for any business owner and even more.

WHY INVEST?

If you are sure to be an active member you will get results and that is usually enough.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)?

It depends. It could be the first day or it could be sometime during the year. A good question to ask is, “do I want to promote my business and network with other like-minded business owners?” Sometimes it is not about the revenue generated but having access to the resources and minds of individual business owners. Most local business owners see the value in networking with each other and doing business with one another. On the other hand, there is nothing worse than finding out someone in your “possible” network is doing business with someone else because they were not aware of your business. Sometimes all it takes is one referral to your business to make an impact. That referral could be a huge opportunity for you, and you could also be an opportunity for them. Business goes in different directions and good business is not a one-way street. There is someone looking for the information or product you currently have. Without sharing your knowledge, letting people know you and/or your business, is in most eyes, doing business at a disadvantage. You want every advantage you can get and be able to give every advantage to others.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES?

What if you could hire someone who lives locally without going through all the online advertising and associated costs to hire someone? What if you needed help and there was a willing network there for you? Most people do not like to ask for help; however, you would help someone in need without even questioning it. Especially if they were in your community, your business network, had referred people to your business, or if you had made friends with them. What if you offered a special program for other members (and their families, their employees, their employee’s families) inside the member network to help grow your business? What is the opportunity there?

Most business owners ended up going into business as their family did before them, like an insurance business, accounting firm, or real estate career. Some of them just liked flowers and decided to open a florist shop or they liked bikes and opened a bike shop. This is not always how it goes, but many times this is the theme. Then what happens in most cases, not all, but most work in the business and not on it. Having an outside source like the Chamber with all its networking opportunities is an easy win. It is always easy to take the low hanging fruit and you should take it. The Chamber is low hanging fruit that many do not pick and end up working long and hard to get the hard-to-reach fruit. Not that this describes anyone reading this, but I bet you have met people like that, they are always up for a challenge. To me, life has enough curve balls and dips in it. Take the easy wins like the Chamber to add another arm, another support for your business, its business programs, and opportunities. The Chamber can help give you information on what is going on in the community and with other businesses, like a bird’s eye view. The Chamber is there for you and the benefits definitely outweigh the investment.

ISN’T IT WORTH IT?

Article Provided By Rick Dumas of Decide Your Results

Dear Member and Future Member:

If after reading the letter above, if you are saying, “Yes, I want to learn more about becoming a Chamber member or learn more about how to better utilize my Chamber membership,” please give us a call! The Campbell County Chamber of Commerce is your Chamber of Commerce. We are here to serve the business community and, hopefully, make your businesses better in the process. We have programs and services that fit in every business. We are dedicated to our community and making it a great place to live, work, and play.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Gail Lofing, Executive Director

314 S. Gillette Avenue Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-3673 www.gillettechamber.com