Chamber of Commerce – do they really work?
There are over 350 Chambers of Commerce in the 7-state area I cover. I work with a number of them. The goal of a chamber is to help goal is to further the interests of businesses in their local area. Businesses and individual can join and there are several events each month.
I strongly urge Microsoft partners to join their local chamber – because a chamber can help you market your business! And like everything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Here are some quick tips to leverage your chamber:
1. Select business, networking or technology events to sponsor. Not every chamber event will compliment your business. Ask if you can sponsor an upcoming event and use a software giveaway from Microsoft (let me know about your event and ask for the software).
2. Ask if you can write articles for the chamber newsletter on technology. Leverage the articles on www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness. Write as a thought leader – not as a sales person!
3. Ask the chamber to add your upcoming event to their community calendar. This will help you drive more people to your event(s).
4. Promote Microsoft Community Connections at your local chamber.
Did you know that ¼ of Small Businesses go to a chamber of commerce for advice on where/what to buy? Chambers are a great way to market your business!
Cheers!
John LaLonde
Microsoft Local Engagement Team, North Central