For a business with 1-15 employees the cost of being a member at the chamber is $325. That can seem like a big chunk of change for some of us and can keep you wondering if membership is really worth it. I checked up on all the benefits a business gets within just the first month of being members at the chamber. Here's a breakdown of what I found.
One of the first benefits you get once you're a member is a new member announcement on the Chamber Facebook Page. For this kind of shout-out you can expect some pretty decent exposure on social media and a warm welcome from some fellow chamber members.
Value: $100
When you sign up to be a member you get invited to the New Member Luncheon where you receive a Chamber Clock. This is the Chamber's version of a sort of practical house warming gift.
Value: $25
Also at the Luncheon you are given some shelf space in the Chamber lobby for your business cards/brochures/flyer to be displayed. Not only members will see this, but anyone who enters the Chamber for events or simply for information on the community.
Value: $25
Once you have attended the Luncheon you will get your photo, business description and your businesses logo in Coastlines. Coastlines is the official publication of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber, meaning all the other members of the Chamber who read Coastlines will see this.
Value: $100
You will also have your business listed in Coastlines. This doubles the amount of exposure you get just within one publication.
Value: $50
Your business will also be listed in the Business Membership Directory. This directory is listed online at the Chambers website as well as being an actual print publication that is distributed annually.
Value: $50
For 45 days your business will be listed on the new member page of the website for 45 days after you join the Chamber. Everyone who visits the Chamber website will see your business listed in this section.
Value: $50
A two week listing of your business will be posted up on the digital sign outside of the Chamber. So many different members of the community pass that sign that by the time the end of the two weeks is up you will have potentially had thousands of cars see your businesses name.
Value: $50
When you attend First Friday Coffee as a new member you are given air time, so to speak. You have the opportunity to introduce your business to over 300 people attending the event.
Value:$100
The final thing new members get is a ribbon cutting ceremony for their business. If you are just opening your business, want to do a reopening ceremony or just cut the ribbon for the experience, you can set up this appointment with the Chamber. They also put the photo from the ceremony in Coastlines.
Value: $250
Overall the biggest benefit a member has in joining the Chamber in my opinion is the networking opportunity. Meeting fellow business owners in the area will not only help you spread the word about your business but will also help you meet people who can help you or your business if you need their service. No dollar amount can be put on that.
BUT, we can put a dollar amount on all the other services we get from the Chamber in just one month, and that value is... $800. So if we compare that to the fee of $325, we are getting $475 worth of promotional benefits within the first 30 days of joining the Chamber.
