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Health & Fitness

Getting the most from the Branford Chamber

How The Branford Chamber can help your business.

Your Keys To Unlocking The Potential of the Branford Chamber

 

You are thinking, should I sign up with the Branford Chamber? Perhaps because a friend recommended that you do so. They told you “That is what you are supposed to do and it will help your business”. When you join you get your Chamber sticker, placed proudly on your door, and you are just waiting to see people stream into business. Unfortunately, as much as I wish it was true, the Chamber Logo on your door is not the silver bullet that will fix everything.  It may however, if you use the Chamber correctly, be a vehicle that significantly enhances your business.   The Chamber is a lot like going to college, you are going to get out of it what you put into it. Like anything important in life, you will need to work at utilizing the opportunities that are provided.  No one will do it for you. Let us take a quick stroll on what you might do to get the best use out of a chamber membership.

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ü  Yippee, I have joined the Chamber!  First call and arrange for a photo shoot so that you will have your business highlighted in the Shore newspaper (wow, you just saved $300!)

ü  Go to your Facebook account (yes, if you don’t have one get one and “like’ the Branford Chamber and look for your business announced as a new Chamber member with your web site link. Now you have hit about 2500 people Need help—call us!

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ü  Get to your first Business after Hours. You will be given the opportunity to introduce yourself to about 100 people. Don’t just wave and say hi!  Be prepared and practice your best elevator pitch. This is your first opportunity to make an impression.  No pressure!

ü  Next, check out the Chamber’s web site. You have been sent a password so plug it in and the magical world of your personal dashboard appears. Don’t shut it off!  Look for the video and begin the process of building your micro site or lead traffic catcher. This is your second presence in cyber space! If you can’t build it, hit number one on your speed dial which is now the tech support line and they will build it for you! (Your mobile site too)

ü  Now announce yourself! Write a piece about your business and send it to the Chamber. It will go on the news and notes board. And guess what? It also shows up in Google searches. Good stuff!

ü  Create a coupon with the tools on your new dashboard and post it for all to see!

ü  That BAH was great but 100 plus people can be a little scary. Take a hard look at the committees. This is one of the best ways to network. Find a committee that you have an interest in, maybe Government Relations is your thing or you’re just a social person and want to be part of the Lobster Clambake Committee. Each committee brings together an eclectic group of people who are working together towards a common goal. These relationships are often beneficial professionally and many times socially. Being on a committee will make you part of the fiber of the Chamber. Can you feel the energy flow?

ü  I need to get my name out what can I do? Well you well never find a cheaper way of doing direct mail. You give us 800 folded pieces of your literature and we will do the rest for only $75 (For those without calculators that’s 10.66 cents apiece.) to a targeted audience.

ü  You have done direct mail, let’s try an e-mail blast to over 2500 e-mail addresses for $50! Don’t forget to ask for the stats about how many people opened it!

The Chamber is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide opportunities for you to: market your business, grow professionally and personally, to make relevant government information available to you. Finally and maybe most importantly, help make Branford and the Shoreline a better place to work and live.

No, the Chamber isn’t the silver bullet (stop looking because it is does not exist) that will save your business, but it can be an important aspect in strengthening your personal and businesses profile. When you become an active part of the Chamber community you will develop professional affiliations that can last a life time and you will interact with a group of people who once they know you, will always want to help.  So it is true, you get out of a Chamber exactly what you put in. Oh, and by the way, never be shy about calling, stopping in or e-mailing any one of the Chamber Staff. We want you to succeed just as much as you do!

      

 

                                                                                                       




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