Chamber of Commerce

[Brent Deines]

How many of you guys belong to your local Chamber of Commerce and/or local businessmen’s associations?

I ask this because I often find that windshield repair and headlight restoration technicians who belong to business networking groups are typically more successful, especially if they join when they are first starting out. In fact, belonging to any kind of group will help you build your business, whether that is a church, automobile club, social group, or whatever, but the business networking groups are the best in my opinion.

Just joining a business networking group provides an immediate increase in business, but to realize the maximum benefit you really have to get involved and use every resource available to you.

Entrepreneurs often work very long hard hours and end up isolating themselves from other people. Sure, we all focus on our customers, but many of us also give up our social lives for the sake of our business. Business networking is not only a great way to meet people with similar drive and motivation, but can essentially provide a dynamic sales force for your business free of charge.

If you are new to windshield repair and/or headlight restoration and want to jump start your business, seriously consider joining a business networking group. If you own an existing windshield repair and/or headlight restoration business and could use a boost in business, seriously consider joining a business networking group. I think you will find it is time well spent.

If you are already a member of a business networking group, or a social networking group of any kind, be sure everyone knows what you do for a living and utilize relationships you build in these groups to propel your business forward.

[just chippen away]

Brent
what is your price of the Chamber? I am wondering if all Chambers have to same price and guide lines. The chamber here is about 350 a yr. and need to give all chamber members a major disc. They been calling on me for years to join but I do not see the payback from the member fee and discounting the members. I already know I can walk in to a chamber members store and I most likely will not get a major disc. from them. I will do some asking next time I see there Chamber plaque or window sticker in the window.

[Frank EU]

In The Netherlands....we do. It's the law (no, I'm not joking, it is the law!).

[Brent Deines]

Brent
what is your price of the Chamber? I am wondering if all Chambers have to same price and guide lines. The chamber here is about 350 a yr. and need to give all chamber members a major disc. They been calling on me for years to join but I do not see the payback from the member fee and discounting the members. I already know I can walk in to a chamber members store and I most likely will not get a major disc. from them. I will do some asking next time I see there Chamber plaque or window sticker in the window.

It depends on the number of employees you have, but if you have 1-4 employees the dues are currently $309 + a onetime processing fee of $50. That's about $25 a month, so if you only get 1 repair a month that you can attribute to your membership it more than pays for your investment. Included in your membership is a listing on the Chamber website, access to the Chamber mailing list, discounts on advertising and trade show space, etc., but where I see the real value is in getting to know other local business owners.

Again, I'm not necessarily advocating the Chamber of Commerce; in fact I have let my membership expire, but I still do business with people I met 20 years ago. What I'm saying is that finding a business networking group of some kind in your local area will help you get your foot in the door with other local business owners. When cold calling on a business you are just another salesman, but if you know the owner of the business personally because you belong to the same networking group, you now have a leg up on the competition. Business owners tend to know other business owners, so meeting someone in a networking group can often lead to introductions to many other business owners who are not part of your group, but are otherwise hard to meet.

The membership itself may not be all that beneficial. It's what you do with it that counts. Meetings, media events, and most importantly the lunches with other business owners have helped me the most. Many business networking organizations do ask you to pay dues, but the same benefits can often be had by joining less formal networking groups. I've met a lot of great contacts through various church groups over the years, and it has cost me nothing.

[Roo]

I already know I can walk in to a chamber members store and I most likely will not get a major disc. from them. I will do some asking next time I see there Chamber plaque or window sticker in the window.

They only give the discount to fellow Chamber members.

[just chippen away]

I already know I can walk in to a chamber members store and I most likely will not get a major disc. from them. I will do some asking next time I see there Chamber plaque or window sticker in the window.

They only give the discount to fellow Chamber members.

I was talking about if I was a member already...... I have never seen or heard anyone flashing a member card if such a card exest of says they want the member disc.

I did have a customer long ago ask if I was a member, I said no, and they said they only do business with members only.... Now that is milking it out.

[ChipMaster52]

I belong to my local Cahamber. For my business it cost me $50.00 per year because of the number of employees that I have besides myself. I have one. But the prices go up to the high end at $500.00 per business.
I think it is a great organization to belong to as long as you don't join just to try to get business. They tend to frown on this. But, there are always opportunities to introduce yourself and your business. I introduce my business to 3 to 5 new people per month.
I also belong to the Lions Club. It is also a great networking forum. I offer to repair windshields at a discount for members of either group.
I have repaired a few windshields for members. But most have full insurance and I DON'T Discount that.
Horace