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Doughlas Regular user Northern California 173 Posts |
For those professionals out there that have already joined their local Chamber of Commerce, I have a question for you. Did you that it was worth joining or a waste of time/money?
Thanks, Doug |
JeffWampler Regular user Bristol, TN 191 Posts |
Hey doug...when I had a magic shop, my partner and I joined our local chamber. the idea was to network adn book more shows. our end result was very few shows booked as a result of joining and the chamber expecting us to donate our programs for their events. one particular event that rubbed me wrong was the chamber asks us to perform free for one event, we decline, and they hire another performer from out of town. after that, joining the chamber has just left a bad taste in my mouth...
now for the good things...access to the chamber mailing list. of course, this is available for a fee, but members got it free. and there was a monthly meeting that served a wonderful breakfast. of course, I'd rather eat cheerios and buy their mailing list rather than be subject to the politics there. keep in mind, this is my particular local chamber. others may differ. this is only my experience. |
Brent Allan Elite user Chicago 415 Posts |
Chambers are very hit or miss. Some are just social clubs, others really work hard to help your business succeed. What I did was I attended mixers for several of my area chambers. Most of them welcome visitors. That way you can get an idea for the size of the chamber, what the people are like, etc. I checked out about 8 chambers, and I joined one, and am considering joining a second. The one I joined was one I felt was really trying to help my business succeed. They have networking events every month, and the chamber director has sent a few leads my way. Sadly, these leads did not pan out, but it was because I was already booked. The intent was there. Also, I am going to be a featured speaker at an upcoming business expo the chamber is running. I am not getting paid, but I can sell BOR, and it will be excellent exposure.
So, I think this particular chamber that I joined has been worth it. Others, maybe not. But if you are going to join the chamber, make sure you get involved. Attend the events. Just being a member won't help you. You have to take advantage of what the chamber can offer you, in the way of marketing opportunities and networking.
Turn your business card into a relentless salesperson that brings you business!
http://www.TransformYourBusinesscard.com |
magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
I go to Chambe events to network... Some are great and some are a waste of time.... I would say join if you need to add creditablity to your company, but once you have the backings of news qoutes, tv appearances, etc, no need to be a member.....
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Brent Allan Elite user Chicago 415 Posts |
To respond to what Jeff said, my chamber does not expect me to just donate my services. In the past, they have hired magicians from out of town, because none were in the Chamber. But when I started checking them out, they told me they prefer to hire within the chamber, and I would likely get those bookings if I joined. Now, I joined just after these events happened, so I need to wait a bit until those events come around.
As many have said, there are good chambers and bad chambers. Just do your homework, and check many of them out.
Turn your business card into a relentless salesperson that brings you business!
http://www.TransformYourBusinesscard.com |
Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
I always join chambers in trade for performing walk around at one of their main events. My favorite is golf tournaments. I know this sounds like the idle braggart who claims to book “two shows at every performance”, but honestly, I have never failed to book a show from a golf tournament, plus I get lots of contacts and leads for holiday programs.
The chamber stations me at a hole that hasn’t been sponsored. I set up a table with a folding top hat to collect business cards and display my promo flyers. (taped down, it’s too breezy to put a stack down) There is always some time to network as each team waits for their turn. This really is a great form of networking! Just be sure to follow up all leads within a week. Also, I get a great mailing list from the chamber, and I am kept up to date on new businesses moving into the area, grand openings, re-openings, and other celebrations. Since it was done in trade, all this costs me nothing but my time.
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
Doughlas Regular user Northern California 173 Posts |
Thank you all for your feedback, gives me a lot to think about. I like Dan's idea about trading a performance for your membership.
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
How one one suggest joining the chamber of commerce? With me being only 17, is it possible to join? Do you need a buisness ID (fill out a W9, etc)?? I'm lost! LOL!
Thanks for any and all advice! Steve |
Brent Allan Elite user Chicago 415 Posts |
Hmmm . . . I tried the whole "trade a show for membership" thing before, and none of the chambers in my area have been receptive.
Turn your business card into a relentless salesperson that brings you business!
http://www.TransformYourBusinesscard.com |
shawn popp Veteran user Denver 313 Posts |
Dan
Did you approach the chamber for the trade or did they approach you? I'm curious how you worked out the trade? thanks shawn |
Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
2 chambers called me asking to join, I turned it around on them and asked a lot of questions about their events and found a couple that would work well for trade.
A third chamber met me at one of the other chamber events and asked if I would do the same for them. Since they were a smaller chamber I did a half trade and half cash, so I got a little money for it too. One other chamber I approached and offered the trade. The first year they said "no", the second year, with a new membership officer, they agreed. I have found that the mid-sized chambers work best for bookings. The very small ones are just too small to network with, and the very large ones seem to be less accommodating to a one man business.
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
johnobryant Regular user Texas 195 Posts |
I joined about 4 different chambers of commerce. Most of them are not even in the city where I live. It has paid off for me.
-john |
MagicalArtist Veteran user Hobart, Indiana 378 Posts |
I joined the local chamber years ago for a non-magic related business. The head of the chamber wanted people to help out for various chamber events (calling people, handing out flyers, whatever). That's fine, as I indicated that I did want to help out. The problem I had was that she "volunteered" me for something that I simply didn't have an aptitude for. I should have said, "That isn't my forte, why don't I do this instead?" but that was before I read a book on assertiveness LOL.
As far as the chamber wanting you to perform free for an event, I would have no problem with that, as that IS my strong area, but only under certain conditions. For an internal chamber event, as long as other chamber members are also donating their time, I don't see a problem with it. If the chamber is sponsoring a fair or festival where the public is invited and this is an event where they would normally pay for an entertainer to perform, then no. It depends on the circumstances. As far as whether joining would be worth your while, that is iffy. For my other business venture, it wasn't. It depends on a lot of factors, such as how good you are at networking, the size of your community, etc. If you aren't able to barter your membership, it isn't exactly free; I think it was $250 yearly back when I joined, and this was several years ago. |
derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
The chamber in my home town is having a business expo in the next few days. Businesses in and around the city will be there exhibiting and the public is invited. After entertaining at one of their events about a year ago I have gotten several invitations to join this chamber but have not done so. No reason except I think my fee and the annual membership dues were about the same. I thought about showing up with a few tricks and business cards to this expo but also thought it might be looked at by chamber officials as trying to get in the back door without paying. Any thoughts? Anybody ever attended one of these or bought a space to try and drum up business?
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Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
Derrick
It's worth approaching to do their entertainment at the expo. Then you can walk booth to booth introducing yourself and inviting them to see the show. Do it for trade. or charge them the same fee they charge you. (One chamber I joined prefers it this way to make their paperwork easier.) I've tried crashing one many years ago, and you do look like an intruder. Didn't get much out of that one. Buy or trade your membership, you'll come out better. I also had mild success trading at an expo for a booth. I got a free booth in return for entertaining for an hour during the dinner/prize giveaway.
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
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