Have you considered joining the Whittier Chamber? Are you wondering if it’s worth the investment? Or maybe you haven’t considered it at all because you think it’s the kind of thing that only insurance agents do. Maybe you think your business is too small or chamber membership isn’t necessary in today’s world.
Don’t fool yourself.
What Does a Chamber of Commerce Do?
Contrary to what some people believe, a chamber of commerce is not a government entity; nor are we some super, secret business fraternity, nor a country club for business people. We also are not the Better Business Bureau (although, we’ll get into that more in a bit).
A chamber of commerce is a membership organization that advocates on behalf of local businesses. It is backed by a board that is comprised of business people from the local community. The chamber is a resource, advocate, and connector for business.
If you’re confused about whether chamber membership is for you or not, consider the following reasons to join.
A Word About Chamber Membership and Advocacy
Before we get into why you should have a chamber membership for your business, it’s important to know that the Whittier Chamber – and all chambers of commerce- on a local, state, and national level are advocating for your business (and other businesses in their area) even if you never join the chamber.
Most people don’t realize that.
Chambers have a legislative agenda that reflects the needs of businesses in their area. This advocacy is happening on your behalf at no cost to you.
but…
If you want your specific concerns and voice to be heard, being a member is a good way to do this.
If you aren’t a member, the chamber is still a tireless advocate for business.
Besides being an advocate for business, why should you join the chamber and does it make sense for your business? You can decide after understanding some of the benefits of joining the chamber.
Is Chamber Membership Right for My Business?
Have you wondered if chamber membership is right for your business? Below are twenty reasons to consider it. However, before you begin reading over all of the many benefits of joining the Whittier Chamber, consider the main struggle you encounter in your business.
What is it that troubles you most?
Where are you in the lifecycle of your business (i.e., just starting out, looking to take that next growth leap, or considering a sale of your business.) Chambers have programs and solutions for all stages of business.
But knowing what you’re struggling with and feeling confident enough to share it, will help a chamber membership person suggest solutions that fit you and your business best.
Plus, it’s important to note that most of the reasons and benefits to chamber membership listed below are available to your employees as well. This perk alone can make chamber membership worth it. For instance, if you want to get more involved in social media and your person who will be handling it doesn’t know how to do it, you have two options for training:
- place the onus on your employee to learn or
- pay for the training yourself
A more cost-effective solution is to check with the Whittier Chamber to find out if we have a seminar on the subject or a knowledgeable staff person who can help.
That’s a pretty nifty perk but what else makes chamber membership a great value?
Reasons to Join the Chamber
While specific benefits vary by chamber of commerce, with membership at the Whittier Chamber you:
- Are part of a like-minded group dedicated to helping business.
- Can become a mentor to a new business.
- Are able to seek assistance or mentorship from established business people.
- Can be part of a CEO or mastermind group.
- Can advise the chamber of the needs of your particular industry.
- Can shape the future of education in your area by working with the leaders in business, government, and education.
- Can host a meeting at the chamber office (for a small fee). This is a good benefit for new businesses and entrepreneurs who work from their homes but need an office or meeting space.
- May be eligible for member-to-member discounts.
- Will be made aware of legislative issues facing your business. There’s a lot that goes on in the local, state, and federal levels, too much for the average business owner to track on their own. The chamber will help keep you informed about issues that could affect you like taxation, legalization, and permitting issues.
- Can be informed about changing trends in marketing and social media. These areas and practices seem to change on nearly a daily basis. Most chambers offer some sort of programming or committee that can help provide the assistance you need to stay on top of these important concepts.
- May be a part of free “How To’s” and other learning session topics to help your business like workplace safety or employment law changes.
- Might be able to lead a session in your area of expertise to better position yourself as an industry expert and put you in contact with the types of people who need your business or service.
- Are eligible to be a part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Chambers may also help with other special business milestones like anniversaries and expansions.
- Will be included in the Chamber’s shop local campaigns.
- Are able to get great exposure for your business on the Chamber’s website with a complimentary listing.
- Will get seen in the Chamber’s Business Directory. The Whittier Chamber has online and printed forms of online directories that may help your business get more traffic and customers.
- Will benefit from the Chamber being a resource for the community. If you’d like help connecting to a certain part or person within the community, the Chamber may just be able to help.
- Access to online resources. The Chamber has free webinars and resources available to you and your employees.
- Will benefit from an experienced staff of 6 who can help you customize a marketing plan that fits your needs and budget.
- Will likely receive referrals from the Chamber. You’d be surprised how many people contact the Chamber for opinions on local businesses. You have local citizens and travelers who see the Whittier Chamber as a reliable source for information.
Speaking of which…
How Your Business Can Benefit from Chamber of Commerce Membership
Chamber benefits vary by chamber, but one thing that is true of nearly every Chamber is its positive influence on business reputation.
Many people are unclear as to what exactly it is the Chamber does.
Some even confuse them with the Better Business Bureau.
And in a lot of ways, they are similar. They are both outstanding organizations concerned with business.
Many chambers have been in their communities for a while. During that time, they’ve likely developed an impressive reputation for being the voice of business. This reputation has had an impressive effect on member businesses.
Consider this…
Your business can benefit from the Chamber’s stellar reputation. In a study done by the Shapiro Group and Market Street Services, they found that when someone knows a small business is a member of its local chamber of commerce, they were “44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.”
But that’s not all they found.
59% of consumers polled believed being active in your chamber is an effective business strategy. For companies that can show they are active in the chamber, 12% of consumers are more likely to think the business’ products or services stack up better than their non-member competition.
On membership alone! Pretty impressive.
Some industries will also be happy to know that chamber membership plays an even bigger role in whether someone will buy from them. For instance, in the insurance industry prospective buyers were 43% more likely to buy from a chamber member. Another example of how chamber membership affects purchasing is seen in restaurant franchises. Potential customers reported they were 40% more likely to dine at a franchise if they knew it belonged to the chamber of commerce.
Lesser-Known Chamber Benefits
In addition to the benefits mentioned earlier and the chamber’s impressive reputation and the effect that has on potential customers for your business, some chambers offer additional benefits that you may not have considered. check with your local chamber to find out what solutions it provides for local businesses.
These may include:
- advertising and sponsorship opportunities for greater exposure among a business-oriented crowd
- access to a private, online business community
- business mentoring/coaching
The Only Reason That Matters in Chamber of Commerce Membership
Even though the Whittier Chamber offers countless benefits to members, there’s no reason to read a list of benefits in order to make a decision. It all comes down to a few questions.
Do you want to be a part of something larger than yourself in your community?
Would you like more customers?
Do you need help in some area of your business?
If you answered “yes” to those questions, the Whittier Chamber may be able to help.
If you have a business need, it’s likely the Whittier Chamber can help you in some way. They’ll either be able to provide direct solutions or connect you with others who can help you solve your business challenges.
Are you in? Call the Whittier Chamber today to sign up and start enjoying the benefits of membership! 562 698-9554 or www.whittierchamber.com.