5 Ways a Chamber Membership Is Completely Overrated
by Christina R. Green
Have you ever waited a really long time for something like a
movie to come out, only to be disappointed? Or maybe a friend told you how
wonderful a particular city was. But when you went there it wasn’t nearly as
fantastic as your imagination—and your friend—had made it out to be.
Are you worried chamber membership will turn out the same
way? A lot of talk and not much value? You’re probably right. In fact, I have a
feeling you’re always right. Am I right?
Here are 5 ways a chamber membership is totally overrated.
1. The Learning Resources Are Free or Nearly Free
Everyone knows that business experts who are willing to give
of their skills and knowledge for the cost of membership must have something up
their sleeves. The fact that these chamber people want business owners in their
community to be able to grow their business through educating them on pertinent
topics like social media, building your own website, and mitigating risk just
doesn’t make sense.
Everyone knows it’s best to not share any information
because if someone knows you’re successful, they’ll think you’re an industry
thought leader. The fact that the chamber is giving away information and
serving as a helpful community resource shows that they know nothing about
business. If they truly wanted the economy to thrive, they would throw everyone
into the deep end of the pool to see who could swim not provide learning
resources for all like Lunch and Learns, free articles, and professional
advice.
2. They Offer Networking to Increase Business Revenue
Chambers offer networking groups, some of which are tailored
by industry or level. There are mastermind groups and leads groups and
sometimes these business people get together just to have fun. I’m not sure why
anyone would want to be a part of a group that promoted business in ways that
could increase growth.
That sounds pretty boring. Although, the growth part could
mean more business revenue, which could mean you could afford to do something
more exciting. But who wants more revenue? Then you’d have to go out and find a
hobby.
3. They’re Off Campaigning for Business
As if those chamber folks aren’t busy enough collecting
drink tickets and cutting ribbons with giant scissors, they’re also busy
talking to people at the state capital asking for their support for their
community on business issues that affect their local business owners. Who wants
to support issues that benefit business and the economy? Not you. You have
other more important things to do like run your business.
Of course, I suppose if these chamber people weren’t off
doing that, we might have some issues. Good thing they are.
4. It’s Always the Same People
Those chamber events are always full of the same people
dedicated to improving the local business climate. They work on shop local
programs and support member to member patronage. All they think about is how
they can grow their business and help others in the community do the same. A
lot of them will even give you their suggestions on how they can help you based
on their business experience.
This just proves a chamber membership is completely
overrated. We need more people in town talking about the Kardashians. Our
economy is fine the way it is. More successful businesses would mean more traffic,
anyway.
5. They Keep the Light On
When visitors come to town, those chamber people are there
to greet them. They strike up a conversation with those travelers and then they
even give them suggestions based on what those visitors are looking for. Could even
be your business.
But a chamber membership is overrated because those
referrals take all the fun out of those weary travelers just stumbling across
your place right before you close. Don’t you love the serendipitous moment of
someone coming in like that? There you are just wondering if you’ll get a
customer and some days one appears. Who wants to join the chamber and have
referrals walk in all the time? No one with any sense of romance or fate.
Yes, a chamber membership is truly overrated. Having access
to the inside track for new jobs or economic opportunities, having someone
who’s actively advocating for your business when you don’t have the time nor
the inclination, being a part of informal mentoring, and having access to free
or nearly free learning opportunities certainly doesn’t sound like it would
help you grow your business at all. You
know what you should do instead? Spend more time on Facebook watching cat
videos. I read that 96.7% of people who spend the better part of a day on
social media watching videos of furry cuteness have a unicorn delivered to
their doorstep on the vernal equinox.
It’s true. It was on the Interwebs.
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