Are You A Member Of The Chamber Of Commerce?

Business By littlecake Updated 12 Oct 2008 , 9:08pm by whimsette

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littlecake Posted 8 Oct 2008 , 6:26pm
post #1 of 12

has it been a benefit to you?

they are bugging the crap out of me....i think maybe i should just break down an do it..... i've held out for 7 years....

11 replies
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sugarchicone Posted 8 Oct 2008 , 7:59pm
post #2 of 12

WOW! Your doing a good job holding out. They've been at me for over a year. They send me the monthly newsletter anyway. I just can't decide right now to take the plunge or not. What's your take on it. Have they told you what all they'll do for you?

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sugarchicone Posted 8 Oct 2008 , 8:03pm
post #3 of 12

WOW! Your doing a good job holding out. They've been at me for over a year. They send me the monthly newsletter anyway. I just can't decide right now to take the plunge or not. What's your take on it. Have they told you what all they'll do for you?

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indydebi Posted 8 Oct 2008 , 10:54pm
post #4 of 12

Yes, I am and I RAN, didn't walk, to their office to join. Understand that before moving to Indpls, I was VERY community involved in my hometown, so I already had a knowledge of what chamber affiliation can do. It was always on the top of the To-Do list with my biz.

I go to the Chamber Breakfasts and the After Hours ... great way to meet other businesses in the area and get your name out. I was in our last Chamber newsletter when I issued the "press release" that one of my cakes was published in Mailbox News. You can get free advertising with lots of little 'press releases'.

I totally believe in business to business networking. At the last Chamber Breakfast, the speaker was the Maj. General of the Indiana Nat'l Guard. I never would have known that there are plans to build a new Nat'l Guard just 5 minutes from my shop had I not been a CHamber member and at that breakfast! I would have missed the opportunity to talk to this General about my 20% military discount ... I'm now working on plans to see how I can get in there as a preferred caterer .... and the building won't even be built (dedicated) until May 2010!!

As with any organization, you get out of it what you put into it. I belong to 2 Chambers and as soon as I can afford to join the Indpls one, I'll be joining that one, too.

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snarkybaker Posted 9 Oct 2008 , 12:44am
post #5 of 12

We are also members of the chamber of commerce, and we even offer discounts to chamber members. It has been good business for us, and they are great allies if you get into zoning kerfuffles like we did during our buildout.

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CakeForte Posted 9 Oct 2008 , 3:36am
post #6 of 12

It's on my "to-do" for the all of the reasons Debi stated. I need to graduate first because all of my free time is focused on school right now.

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mommicakes Posted 9 Oct 2008 , 10:54pm
post #7 of 12

I am a member of the local Merchants Association. It is like the C.O.C. As a matter of fact, we are putting our finishing touches on a "Meet Your Merchants Home Show" on the 19 of this month.

It was also this group that organized the Bridal Show last year I participated in. It was WELL WORTH IT to me!!

I joined them last year and boy, has it been a really good thing. I have been able to keep up on the new business in the area, and the advertising from the special events is great.

I HIGHLY recommend joining either the C.O.C. or the local Merchants Association. The networking is unbelievable!!!

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southernbelle Posted 10 Oct 2008 , 2:13am
post #8 of 12

It will be one of the best things you could do!!! I joined right before I opened and have been a member for over a year. I go to the business before and after hours and get to meet all the movers and shakers that are in my community. It has brought me ton's of new business. I recently was appointed an ambassador to my Chamber and just love it!!!

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melodyscakes Posted 11 Oct 2008 , 3:31am
post #9 of 12

I'll be checking that out, hadn't thought of it before.


thanks,

melody

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drowsyrn Posted 12 Oct 2008 , 3:50pm
post #10 of 12

Heck yeah it's worth it! I second all the other benefits listed in the above posts. I joined the minute I opened my shop. I didn't even have my website up and running or any other marketing tools initiated when I joined and I googled my name and my company's name and it came up under my Chamber's website. Chambers are the info center for your city. You can't go wrong being a member.

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cupcake Posted 12 Oct 2008 , 8:54pm
post #11 of 12

I have been a member for the last 8 years. I made up some brochures when I first opened and keep them and a business card at the chamber office. I have found that a good working COC can be very rewarding for your business.They have funneled tons of work my way. It makes sense to make friends with these people and build on the networking it provides.I say give it a try for one year, at the end of the year if you don't feel that you got your moneys worth, don't sign up for the next year. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement. J

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whimsette Posted 12 Oct 2008 , 9:08pm
post #12 of 12

I was a member of a local chamber for a year and it was merely ok for me. There were several other cake makers & bridal industry people in this particular city's chamber who were really cliquey and high-school level gossipy. There was a lot of backstabbing and negativity amongst the competing businesses which was a big turn off for me.

On the other hand, I did learn whom I DIDN'T want to do business with in the local bridal business. That's priceless info! I also got some great leads from businesses in other industries but not enough to keep me coming back year after year.

Since I've moved I haven't checked out my new local chamber but I'd have a look at the member list before I decided to join if I were to consider it again.

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