Absolutely a great investment...,,.socials are fun and the exposure is great !

Absolutely a great investment...,,.socials are fun and the exposure is great !

That sounds like a good way to network and advertise. Thanks for the Info Kathy.

I disagree

I've been to many chamber events - from breakfasts to ribbon cuttings to business card swaps to dinners...

The problem is that most chamber leadership does not understand the service from the membership side of things.

Mixers - for instance - down here, Mixers are after work events at a local eatery/bar.  90% of the people there come to socialize and NOT talk business. 

Networking - most of the die hard networkers really realize very little from chambers for one reason - saturation.  I went to one function where there were 40 people at a luncheon.  I kid you not - 32 people were realtors, title or mortgage.  Why do we need to hear the 1 minute pitch from 18 realtors?? Are they going to convince another realtor to call THEM with a listing? No... because people get cliquey and combattive.

I have closed exactly ONE transaction from all the chambers I've joined/attended/visited.  It was a big one, but if you stretch all the hours in that transaction and add all the hours I attended for networking and the money I put out, I may have made minimum wage.

If you really want to network, you have to be more active and less passive.  Chambers say leads come to us... but you need to go out and get leads, the good ones are never easy to find.

I used to belong to the Chamber, this was when I was in another business, I believe the Chamber, like any other association; is primarily a voice for you with the legislators.  Yes, there is a possibility of getting leads, but the more valuable benefit from being a member of the Chamber is some of the knowledge and voice with government that you receive.

Gary

Michele: It really is a good investment! You can invest as much or little time as you wish, just like we do in Real Estate. Check it out.  Thanks for commenting.

Dan: I hope you check out your local Chamber...see for yourself.  Thanks for commenting! 

David: I am so sorry you've had such a negative experience with your Chamber. That's too bad. Our Chamber does NOT meet in bars, etc. We actually meet (mixers) at businesses who are trying to "get exposure" and new clients/business. We have had a lot of fun, met some great people and it has helped my business a lot. NOT by closing an escrow every other week. I don't expect that from any organization. But, rather, by getting my name out there, shaking new hands, etc.   Members who wish to come to Chamber meetings are Welcome anytime. We try to come up with new suggestions for IMPROVING our Chamber services.  Maybe that is what you need to do; attend a meeting and tell them how unhappy you are and what you think may help to improve services.   IF it's broken, then it needs fixen.  Thanks for commenting...this is how we learn. I really appreicate it the feedback.

Gary and Mary: Great points.  The Chamber can be a voice for YOU with the legislators. That is ONLY one aspect of their services. But my main reason for belonging to the Chamber is not for leads; I like to be involved  with the community and this is a community organization. And I am NOT the least bit political!   In the Real Estate business, one must constantly be WORKING to get new business... this is one way to keep your name out there.  BUT, if you're not happy with the Chamber, you did what you needed to do--you baled!  I LOVE my Chamber! Thank you for commenting.