Why Join a Chamber?
Joining a Chamber of Commerce can offer a range of benefits for businesses of all sizes. Here are some key advantages:
1. Networking Opportunities: Chambers often host events, mixers, and meetings where members can connect with other local business owners, potential clients, and community leaders. This networking can lead to new partnerships, collaborations, and business opportunities.
2. Business Referrals: Chambers typically receive inquiries from people looking for products or services, and they often refer these inquiries to their members. Being listed as a member can increase your business's visibility and attract potential customers.
3. Community Involvement: Membership often provides a platform to engage with and contribute to local community initiatives, enhancing your company's profile and goodwill within the community.
4. Advocacy and Representation: Chambers advocate for local businesses on legislative and policy issues. Membership can give your business a voice in local government and public policy discussions.
5. Marketing and Visibility: Many Chambers offer promotional opportunities such as advertising in newsletters, sponsorship of events, and listings in online directories. This can increase your business’s exposure and credibility.
6. Educational Resources and Training: Chambers often provide workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various business topics, helping members stay informed about industry trends and improve their skills.
7. Discounts and Savings: Members sometimes receive discounts on services such as insurance, shipping, office supplies, and other business-related expenses through the Chamber's partnerships and programs.
8. Support and Guidance: Being part of a Chamber can provide access to business mentors and experienced professionals who can offer advice, guidance, and support for overcoming challenges and achieving business goals.
9. Credibility: Membership can lend credibility to your business, as it demonstrates your commitment to the local business community and adherence to ethical business practices.
10. Access to Business Tools: Some Chambers offer resources like market research, business planning tools, and access to business consultants that can aid in growth and development.
Overall, joining a Chamber of Commerce can be a strategic move for expanding your business’s network, gaining valuable resources, and increasing its presence in the community.
You might have seen information about chambers of commerce and wondered if it was worth it for your business to become a member. You don’t want to spend money on a membership that won’t help your business.
Joining a chamber of commerce can be a great decision. Below are some of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce membership benefits, along with ways you can get the most out of your membership.
What is a Chamber of Commerce?
A chamber of commerce is an organization that looks out for business interests in a particular area. There are national, state, and local chambers of commerce.
Local chambers of commerce are businesses joined together to improve their value, visibility, and credibility; share news, ideas, and best practices; qualify for higher negotiated group savings on the products and services they use; and become better connected with the markets they serve and the resources they need to serve them.
How to get the most out of your investment
Chamber of commerce membership comes with a price, but there are ways you can maximize your return on investment.
Compare Costs
Membership costs vary between chambers. The cost is typically based on the size of your business.
Some chambers will have multiple pricing levels. As the cost of each level increases, so does the number of benefits you can receive. If your chamber has a pricing tier, you can choose a level that matches your budget and the benefits you wish to receive.
Get Involved
When you get involved with your chamber of commerce, you will become better connected to your community. You will become more aware of community and business issues. You can help solve problems, and members can help you solve your problems.
“The more you engage, the more you get to know the other community and business leaders that can advocate for your interests too"
Earn Marketing
You can obtain marketing through your chamber. Free marketing will expose customers to your business with no extra cost to you.
Take advantage of free positive brand recognition and exposure on the chamber’s website and larger social networks, and the many cost effective advertising and sponsorship opportunities offered by chamber newsletters, digital marketing campaigns, and events to reach more of your market for less.
Take Deductions
You might be able to deduct membership fees as allowable business expenses. This helps counteract the cost of the membership. To learn more, see “Club dues and membership fees” under “Miscellaneous Expenses” in IRS Publication 535.
Your Takeaway
While chamber of commerce membership has a price, there are many benefits to joining. Chambers provide you with opportunities to get involved in your community and to better your business. And, there are ways to make the membership cost more manageable for your small business budget.
In addition to the direct savings and growth benefits, membership also supports community and non-profit projects that keep the local market strong and growing (and able to buy!), and supports efforts that provide a top-of-the-line workforce.
Joining the Hollister Chamber of Commerce could be a smart business decision for you.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 674
Hollister, Missouri 65673
Phone: 417.334.3050
E-mail: Info@HollisterChamber.Net
Executive Director: John Hagey
Phone: 417.334.3050
Cell Phone: 417.239.4273
E-mail: Director@HollisterChamber.Net
Chairman of the Board: Brian Wilfong
Phone: 417.334.3050
E-mail: Chairman@HollisterChamber.Net
Administrative Assistant: Alice Yeager
Phone: 417.334.3050
E-mail: AdministrativeAssistant@HollisterChamber.Net