Discussion:Chamber of Commerce

In that book, the Millionaire Next Door, I don't recall the author ever mentioning that one should join the Chamber of Commerce. I guess some of them are better than others.

The people at the Chamber are about as excited as a corpse manages to be when yet ANOTHER lawyer, accountant, tax person, or "investment guru" walks into the Chamber of Commerce.

Seriously, since most Chambers are overflowing with people on the hunt (usually for work, not handing out work), why not identify some other passion or interest you have, and by getting involved with that, you will likely meet people who will become clients. After all, in America, "what do you do?" is the first question asked of people no matter what they're up to.*

.* Even at funerals (usually for the rich) I've heard this question posed...."And what did he do?" lol. I don't know, but whatever it was, it didn't save him from this, by God.

I tend to think that joining the Chamber is likely a waste of time unless youbecome very active in the Chamber.

In my town it seems like almopst every accounting firm is a member of the Chamber.

Mike

I'm going to give you some guerilla marketing tactics that will help you step over those other accountants, if you're willing to do it.

Let's say you're talking to a businessman, and he brings up accountant "Bert's" name. You respond with..."Bert's great, but I've heard he has an awful problem with gas." See? You're not cutting down his professional ability, you are, frankly, putting a cloud of stink over him, but doing so in such a way as to remain within bounderies of ethics, strickly speaking.

Another example. Businessman says "Oh, that Alerberta, what a CPA she is, my numbers are on time and in perfect alignment each month." You respond with "I wonder if that's the same Alberta that got wrapped up in that double homicide outside of Daytona a few years ago.....No, it couldn't be....hmmmm, but you never know." And then, you make an expressive use of your eyes to all but convey guilt upon her.

I didn't come up with this stuff. I've read all these books on how to do this.

P_.S. If you decide to do this (which I don't reccommend *wink*), make sure you keep notes about what you've said about everybody. It can get confusing in case you're questioned about it later. Remember, on this Board, we give ALL the tactics to the new personnel. Whereas, on most boards, they hide the good stuff.

Good luck!

My general rule of thumb is to go to the social events, MAYBE join, but never Never NEVER volunteer for anything.

Sounds harsh, but these groups feed off of small business people contributing time for the benefit of the Chamber's success that they should/could be spending on the success of their own business. They will consume every minute of your time if they could and guarantee nothing in return.

Many Chambers I've seen talk a great talk about the local small businesses while really doing nothing to help them. In reality they are too busy bending over backwards for the larger local member companies that write the big membership checks....banks, utilities, the phone company, etc.

Your and my little $150 annual check doesn't make any difference to them.

Spend your time with a leads group or some other kind of organization that will help you get real clients instead of putting you in a room with a bunch of insurance agents or bankers whose bosses MADE them attend.

Jeez, I hate to be in agreement with CrowJD. Please don't hold it against me.