Get Connected: Join Your Local Chamber

This week I decided to join my local Chamber of Commerce. I would’ve joined a few weeks ago but just as I headed to the door of the building, someone talked me out of it. Someone made me think twice about forking over a few hundred dollars for benefits I may or may not receive. His logic made sense so I decided to keep my $300 in my purse a little while longer.

But then, in another conversation I had with someone else I was told, “You get what you put into it.” He said it’s one thing to be a part of any group or organization but if all it means is your name and business is listed in a Directory, you’re definitely wasting your money. The key is networking. How is anyone going to know about you and your business if you’re not actively involved by putting your name and face in front of the movers and shakers?

That means you must attend functions hosted by the Chamber or any other group you’re a part of. Notice I said functions. You need to become a regular so that there will come a time when people can identify you without looking at your name tag. You should also carry a sufficient amount of business cards and pass them out, along with any other little trinkets or sample products you have. Don’t be shy. Initiate conversations. Being a cute wallflower won’t get you any business.

Networking is a great way to get connected.

Here’s who I got connected to from my first Chamber Event:
Jennifer Conaway
Carissa Drauss
Meredythe J. Holmes
Vanessa Petty
Lauren Braun
Pam Riley
Denise Forney-Maitland
Del Mattioli

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