The most common question we receive here at the Jefferson County Chamber is, “Why should my business join the Chamber of Commerce?” This question is commonly coupled with, “Is it worth joining the Chamber of Commerce in 2020, with the abundance of online networking tools available to modern business professionals?” Our answers are obviously a little biased, but we thought we’d share the multitude of reasons why to join a chamber of commerce and how it can benefit your business.
Chamber Business Highlights
Many chambers, including the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, regularly promote business members in “business highlights.” Essentially, the chamber is providing your company with marketing and advertisements.
Membership Directory
Speaking of marketing, joining the chamber of commerce will mean your business name and contact information will be in their online directory, providing your organization with more advertising. Many fellow chamber members will go directly to this membership directory when looking for business services, giving your company a competitive advantage when compared to those who aren’t members. Some chambers will even offer member-to-member discounts to extend the benefits of membership further.
Leads Lists
The membership directory actually works two-fold; not only does it place your business name out in the mix, but it also gives you a list of potential leads to work through to gain new customers. The Jefferson County Chamber not only provides both online and printed directories to its members but will also provide one set of mailing labels for the directory each year.
Chamber Newsletter
If you pride yourself on always being in the know for local business activities and keeping up to date on local trends, then the chamber of commerce is definitely for you. When you join a chamber, you’ll have access to local and regional information through various forms. Chambers typically put out a print or electronic newsletter at least once a month. Because the chamber is often the epicenter of local business news, you’d be hard-pressed to find more current news.
Added Credibility
When you join a chamber of commerce, your business will automatically gain credibility among consumers in the market. The idea behind this added credibility is that shady or illegitimate companies won’t bother joining the chamber of commerce or won’t be able to produce the information necessary for membership. Thus, the chamber will reassure consumers that your business will serve them to the best of your company’s ability.
Obtain Referrals
Like many networking groups, one of the main functions of a chamber is to produce referrals among its members. Referrals act as yet another form of free marketing where you give your business opportunities to obtain new customers without additional advertising costs.
Make Important Business Contacts
Networking opportunities are plentiful in a chamber of commerce. With introduction meetings, expos, mixers, networking events, meet-and-greets, trade shows, and business seminars, you’ll have an abundance of chances to meet new fellow business owners and representatives who can further your ambitions and form meaningful relationships. New members who get involved in their local chamber tend to meet important business contacts almost immediately after joining.
Make an Impact
Making an impact is easier when you are involved with local issues that the chamber regularly deals with. When you join the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, you integrate yourself into the community and have a platform that you can use to enact meaningful change.
Business Development Assistance
Chambers regularly put on seminars, classes, workshops, and other types of training opportunities. These business development opportunities could range in topics from tax requirements, to accounting issues, to government contracting, to using social media. These chamber events are not only a wealth of information on how to start or improve business but also offer opportunities to meet other entrepreneurs in your area. Business development assistance provides free or low-cost continuing education so you can stay on the cutting edge of business strategies and tactics.
Super Charge Your Start-up
If you have a business you are just beginning, the chamber of commerce can drastically increase your time to market. A chamber gives you access to loads of business assistance, mentors, business loans and grants, and investors. Chambers also host ribbon-cutting ceremonies at your office or place of business, which brings chamber members, local officials, the media, and potential customers to officially kick off your opening.
Discounted Services & Products
Besides free swag and coupons at events, some chambers set up member-to-member discounts that can save your business money. Many times, you can find these deals on the chamber website or by contacting the business and asking if they have a chamber of commerce discount.
Join the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
While not every member receives immediate ROI from joining the Chamber of Commerce, the benefits are so numerous that it just makes sense to join if you are serious about becoming an established business. The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce offers members a variety of benefits including hosting ribbon cuttings with exposure in two local newspapers as well as on social media accounts. If you’re interested in improving your business visibility and becoming a part of the broader business community in Jefferson County, TN, visit our membership section to fill out an application or contact us online or by calling (865) 397-9642 for additional membership information. We look forward to welcoming you to our Chamber Family!
