Tips for Using Your
Chamber of Commerce
as a Business Resource

© by Candy Loya; all rights reserved

One invaluable resource for anyone in sales/marketing is their local Chamber of Commerce (COC). Most populated cities in the U.S. have a COC, whose primary role is to market the community as a whole. They are much like "Welcome Wagon" is to individuals, except they cater to businesses.

Your Chamber of Commerce offers events for businesses to grow, because a city's growth is imperative to the community. If a small business started up in a community and didn't use the local COC to get off to a good start, make new connections, learn local trends and so forth - chances are very good that it would not succeed.

In my area most of our Chambers have short after-work events or morning socials monthly which are designated specifically for networking. They are hosted at a member's business - much like an open house. Typically, you do not have to be a member of the Chamber to attend; however, there can be a nominal fee for non-members to attend. (Ours range from $10-$16, depending on size of city.)

You can locate your local COC's by Googling Chamber of Commerce (state or city names). Statewide lists are wonderful, because you can visit all the surrounding area Chambers' websites and gather much information about upcoming events, open houses, and city events that you may not have been aware of that are just a town away!

Most new businesses (the smart ones) will register with a COC right away for the city they are located in. The even smarter ones will join several Chambers in the surrounding areas.

Why is this important? Because most COC's will post a list of members on their website or a list is available per request. This list would contain all the local businesses registered with the COC, their product/service, and best of all - their contact information (which is almost like gold bullion in any networking career!).

Imagine that you have been trying to meet the owner of a gift store by dropping in or calling by phone, and the proverbial "gatekeepers" are preventing that because you ask, "May I see/speak to the owner?"

Well, now imagine that you now have his/her name from your COC list. You can now call and say, "May I speak to Kyle Thomas, please?" When Kyle gets on the phone it is smooth sailing... "Hi Kyle, this is so and so, I got your name from the XYZ Chamber..."

The best part is these companies joined the Chamber to get exposure to THEIR business. They want to attract customers. They want questions asked. They want to be known and respected locally.

Most, if not all, of the after-work and early morning events are on weekdays, so the members and non-members will be dressed business-professional. Usually even if a company is business-casual, the attendee representing their business will suit up or go a notch above biz-casual attire.

I usually wear something bright and cheerful - as I am an extrovert and want to stand out. I usually wear my pale yellow suit as it is sunny and happy or my bright red suit as it is colorful in that room full of navy blue and black.

Look for a "comfortable" event as your first event if you are a bit nervous. Quiet corporate-host environments can be a bit frightening if you aren't used to that sort of thing, so look for an event hosted outdoors or at a restaurant, comedy club, grocery store, or a dream come true - a gift store/boutique! That way it won't be too stuffy for you.

Expect to shake lots of hands. (Have that firm and confident handshake ready!)

Expect to be asked by many people, "What do you do?" or "What company do you work for?" - and have that answer ready on your tongue. Floundering isn't pretty.

Expect to receive many business cards - and have a pocket to keep them in. Have a pen to make a small notes during conversation should they ask you to call them.

Expect to meet people. By that I mean - they may be in suits, they may seem polished, they may make six-figure salaries for all you know, but... they are just people. And they came to that event for the same reason you did - to make connections in the community.

Don't be intimidated! The spouse of that millionaire may love handcrafted jewelry, own a boutique, make jewelry himself/herself or be looking for some unique gifts. You never know; therefore, NEVER ASSUME! (Assuming gets ya into trouble!)

Take business cards! -
If you have professionally printed business cards - super! If home printed ones - great! But take them. That is what you are there for - Exchanging Information! Take more than you think you will need. You might have someone ask you for a few cards to pass on to their friends - those are the folks you definitely want to have the cards for!!

Smile! -
Always smile. Even if you are standing alone in the corner with a cup of punch in your hand - SMILE - and you won't be alone for long, I promise that.

Listen! -
You are not there to speak, as much as you are there to listen. You aren't going there to try to close a sale, you are going to network and gather information. So gather away. Ask questions of people, nod and smile when they speak which will demonstrate your genuine interest in them. They will love that and love you for listening and making them feel comfortable as well. You will be remembered, and that's what you want!! Don't forget to give them your card!

Record information! -
After the event, while the information is still fresh, make notes on the back of each business card about the person. Important things they mentioned like "has 7 kids in Ivy League schools" or "daughter works at ABC art gallery" that will jog your memory to who they were for future events, networking, and sales calls.

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