Chambers of Commerce, any benefits?

[lawn hopper]

Does any chamber members think that it's a good idea for small businesses to join? Have you networked and recieved benefits from the chamber?

My goal is to get landscaping as my only service instead of maintenance.

[Phil Nilsson]

Go directly to the customers ... homeowners, developers, real estate, etc. don't expect an "organization" to be your salesman.

[Ric]

Lawnhopper

The Chamber is an excellent source of networking. Try and make all the business card exchanges. You will be meeting all of the major business people in your area. They are the ones with the Money and contacts with those who have money. These are the type of clientele that want nice homes and are willing to spend money on that image.

The Chamber will get you "word of mouth" that all the advertisement in the world could not get you. In my area many people call the chamber for references, the Chamber gives them on a rotating bases of the member by business.

The Landscaping business is all about sales and reputation. Being a member of the BBB and the Chamber are credentials that will help you get and close sales. No they can not be your only source of advertisement. However for dollar spend to return, they should give you a high percentage.

However if your Business model is based on Low Ball Pricing just to get your phone to ring. Then professional business organization are not your cup of tea. In fact you would want to stay away from such professional forums. They would work against you because of your reputation. You would soon be banned by them.

[lawn hopper]

I agree with both previous posts about COC's. I've read some of Phils posts on the subject that were totally different. Thinking Phil believes that I fall into the catergory of low baller.

Good info Ric!

I'm working on ideas right now and the more the better. Been in maintenance for four years and ready to eliminate mowing service because of advantages of landscaping. Enrolled in design courses from PCDI and going to try and eliminate mowing at the end of this year. Mowing was a great way to start because I've got an awesome lifestyle but landscaping offers much more.

[Ric]

Lawn Hopper

In all Fairness to Fill, don't discount all of Fills advice. He provides advice for the Fresh Start up. Any Industry has a learning curve and one must start somewhere.

Read Fill's writings as well as other real industry consults and make your own game plan. The more you know the better able you are to make the right choices. Fill markets his stuff to newbies and writes to their level. he also gives them an outlook on future growth. His major game plan is to get people started marketing in a direction that will create enough accounts for them stay in business the first few years. Many start ups are uneducated in the ways of business and Fill provides a base knowledge to them. There comes a point in many peoples business, that Quality not Quantity of customers is desired. This where Fill's marketing Ideas and my start to differ. However Fill's Ideas are taken from large volume operations like Service Master. We may not like True Green's work but we can not knock their bottom line.

Fill unfortunately has a very strange sense of humor. Many of the posts we take offense too, are meant to be funny. Much like Jack D he posts for Shock value. His knowledge base and his sense of Humor are seperate factors. However his sense of humor hurts his credibilty.

[Elwood]

The chamber is a GREAT place to network and gain new work. As stated above, word of mouth is the best advertisement and when you have other businesses in town refering you, it is a very good thing. Of course, it is a two way street.

Who you know will open and close doors in this world. Mostly open. If there is a new project going on in town, the businesses in town will know about it and if there is any work in your area available, odds are you will get first chance at it or just get the job itself outright. I have used (refered and used as subs.) electricians, concrete masons and others for projects. Who did I call?? My other business friends who were in the same organizations as I. They call me as well.

The networking is priceless and the connections made will line your wallet.

[The landscaper]

What kind of price are you looking at to get in an organization like that?

[lawn hopper]

Thanks Elwood! Your post is helpful!

[lawnmuncher]

My company joined the local chamber of commerce this year and we have been very impressed with the results. However you will only get out of it what you put in. I attend meetings and social functions when ever possiable. It really makes a difference when you are bidding a job and you already know the owners of the business.

[Elwood]

Lawnmuncher: EXACTLY!!!

[Scaper-S2k]

Our Chamber allows you to get much lower health insurance rates by putting you into a small biz group with other local companies. They also allow you to sign up for lower workers comp rates as well.

[Ric]

I agree with both previous posts about COC's. I've read some of Phils posts on the subject that were totally different. Thinking Phil believes that I fall into the catergory of low baller.

Lawn Hopper

Filberts does tend to change his mind on more than a few subjects. I am not saying, Don't buy his books. I am saying read more than one source on any subject. These so called experts will have totally different answers to the same question. Anytime you see someone leaning totally to the left or totally to the right stay away from them. A good middle of the road approach is always the best. Each market is different and each business model is unique. How these two match up is the difference in success.

[lawn hopper]

I've heard from a longtime business owner in my area that the cities Chamber doesn't respect him and he has stopped his memberships after twenty year of three business' membership under him. He donated thousands over the years and free mowing for the chamber itself.

They never showed any apreciation. Beginning to think that this city isn't the one I want to member with. This suburb was build in the mid fifties and since many newer subrurbs have built around. Thinking this is just a good place to start.

But the positive remarks are overwhelming in general.