Your Partner in Commerce
Your Partner in Commerce
Do you ever wish you had a powerful business partner, one
that could offer advice and counsel, as well as work to improve the local
business climate? Well, you just might have access to one.
An often untapped resource for graphic design firms and
their clients is the local chamber of commerce. Chambers of commerce offer a
variety of services for their members, such as a directory of local businesses,
monthly networking events and access to discounted rates on health insurance to
name just a few.
A chamber of commerce is an organization, typically at the
state or county level, whose primary purpose is to improve the business
environment within their given geography. The missions of local chambers of
commerce include lobbying local or state governments on behalf of local
businesses as well as offering its members
Not all chambers offer the same services, but graphic
artists might be able to take advantage of their chamber to promote their and
their clients’ businesses. Your local chamber of commerce might offer you any
or all of the following:
• A listing in the local chamber’s directory of members (in
print, online or both) with contact information and primary business category.
Web directories might also include links to members’ own sites.
• A monthly newsletter highlighting chamber events and
activities as well as notable news about member companies. If your firm has
landed a major account, completed an important campaign, won an award or
accomplished some other achievement, you can highlight this to other local
businesses.
• Chamber members might bundle promotional flyers with the
chamber’s local newsletter mailing. Chamber Web sites and local directories
might also offer display advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
• Frequent networking events, such as breakfasts, luncheons
or cocktail mixers are a good way to “press the flesh” with other chamber
members and might also offer a place to leave brochures or other promotional
materials.
There are fees involved with most of these services, but
many businesses have found that they pay for themselves in increased visibility
in the community and in increased business. In addition to these promotional
activities, chambers of commerce also offer small business services, such as
one-on-one counseling, human resources assistance, programs to help reduce
energy costs and many more. Chamber members might also offer discounts to other
members, allowing businesses to save on a wide variety of products and
services.
Your own chamber of commerce’s Web site can detail all the
services that are available to you.
Remember, a good chamber of commerce is like having a powerful business
partner. Be sure to take advantage of all the things that this partnership can
do for you and your business.
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