Happy Friday, everyone!
Here is this week's poll question:
Has your station received an award or other recognition from your Chamber of Commerce (or similar civic organization)? If so, what was the award for?
Looking forward to reading your replies!
No we are not recognized by the Chamber. After many years of dealing with the Chamber of Commerce, I've come to the conclusion that the Chamber is a profit making scam! I'm slow....... A new business opens and often before they open, they rush to join the Chamber. Then on down the road, I almost always hear "what does the Chamber do for me? Hasn't helped my business at all." Why can't the radio industry - and our radio station - do a better job at positioning themselves as the one to call first. The Chamber always has a hand out for money. And they call it "growing your business" . Ha.
We have a barter going right now with the Chamber in exchange for yearly dues. They get much more in air time than the amount of their dues, however, I use them for appointments. I air new member messages welcoming them to the Chamber. Then I call the business to tell them that we are doing this and at that point make an appointment to come talk to them about seriously growing their business. Not certain how long we want to do this. Any Chamber must realize that the local radio station could be their best friend or worse enemy! I'm always asked, should I join the Chamber? Do you recommend it?
Now, I've vented for a Friday morning ! Thanks !
YES! We were the "Member of the Year" in 2010
I'm a BIG fan of the Chamber!! (Vice Pres this year... I'll be the Pres in 2013)
I think you all need to look at what the Chamber is here for.... they are designed to be a support system for LOCAL business. We've put together a program that offers some free radio ads for every new member (the first year we did this program it was for every member so no one could complain that THEY didn't get the chance... only about 10 used them)
Here's the magic... now... when a new business joins (a few every month for sure) we get a call from them to put together their radio ads... we get a chance for them to tell us about their new business. We build a killer ad that they love... they run the free ads and USUALLY buy more! (there in NO obligation though)
The thing about a Chamber... or any other civic organization! You get out of it... what you put into it! Think of this membership like a Gym or Fitness Club membership! If I pay my dues every month... but do NOT use the equipment... it is WORTH it? (the answer is no of course)
Most of the time... people pay their dues... get their name on a list and wonder why it didn't work.
Instead... go to the mixers, meetings and events! MEET people... HELP them and earn their trust and business! You have to actually WANT TO HELP... you can't fake it!
Hope that helps!
BTW... we do not trade out our membership... we pay for the biggest membership available ($2000 per year) plus we buy into almost every program they do... and they buy ads from us every months to increase their membership numbers and promote their events. It is working VERY WELL for both of us!
I was the MC at the Annual Banquet last night (4th year in a row I got the chance to do that... I feel like Billy Crystal) and every year I meet more new members and help them grow!
Zig Ziglar said it best "You can everything you want in life... if you help enough OTHER people get what they want"
Our station just recieved a first place horticulture award from the state of Iowa for a call in talk show called "Lets get growing".
We have a the Reginal Director from our County Extension Office on once a week, he takes calls from listeners about landscaping and gardening.
It's an easy sell and they do it for free. A real win win
Our Station Manager was presented with the "Tickle Me Elmo Award" by our local Newcastle Area Chamber of Commerce for his on-air declaration that HE was the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby! Our listeners thought it was a hoot as well as our partners in the Chamber!
We have an excellent relationship with our Chamber of Commerce. They are an invaluable resource for learning about new businesses, and we work cooperatively with them on a variety of events. They regularly purchase ads on the radio and in the newspaper. Our Chamber Director always educates her new members about the local radio station and newspaper, and encourages those businesses to advertise! Our station staff has served on the Chamber Board, and we regularly volunteer.
I recommend finding out what your Chamber benefits are, and take full advantage of them. There are many. Also, get to know your Chamber Director! When your station works together with the Chamber of Commerce, it's a win-win situation for both of you!
Great John,
I know that my comments were harsh. Some Chambers are more progressive than others. We have worked hard on our relationship with our chamber for a long time just to be laughed at, disregarded, not recommended (because we are an AM station that plays bluegrass and classic country). We had a president who was the most disliked person in the county....so hopefully things will turn around and I'll soften up. I don't have much patience for ignorance. Our station does very, very well here and is the only station licensed to the entire county. I'll continue to work with the Chamber - they need us more than they know!
Sounds like our Chamber
The Chamber is a serious competitor for us. We are a member and have employees on committees. Yet, they are continuously soliciting sponsorship money, which comes from the advertising budget. They have a policy in place that they spend no advertising money locally but they will go 40 miles out of town and spend money. I just don't get it. We could really be helping each other.
Thank you Jack, I felt so alone with my comments. Our Chamber also goes out of town to spend. It's crazy....
Jack & Kathie,
I think you should visit with the Director to let them know how ridiculous it is for them to be an organization that's designed to HELP LOCAL BUSINESS... but they are doing the opposite by leaving you out... yet spending money elsewhere.
Many Chamber organizations have rules that they MUST be a member if they are spending $$ there (some do not)
I would visit with them about promoting a "Shop Local" effort.
I'm attaching three things... one is a package that we sell to the smaller clients in a small town... I also attached one of the ads from this effort.
The other file is something we are doing WITH our local chamber using our jingle (We actually paid for the jingle because we sold SO MANY ads in the other program)
The Chamber director records the ads (and hears from MANY people that it is working) and we just launched this "Caught Shopping Local" promotion... it is going well! We pick a different secret location each month and surprise a person that is shopping there! They tied in the newspaper (an ad with the person's photo) and our station is there to record a quick interview about why they like to shop local!
It's been a BIG hit!! The person wins a $50 local gift card from the chamber.
Get them on YOUR side... you will have a powerful partnership. You need to get that person that thinks no one listens to your local AM to be ON the radio for something...even if it is a FREE call in to promote shopping local... I would do that THIS WEEK! You can make them a HUGE believer!! Then they will be the one telling new members to call you too!
Sorry for the long reply! I just KNOW this is a match made in heaven!!
John Small - www.MySunnyRadio.com
WCAP in Lowell Ma. was named the "Business of the Year" in 2010. We also have a weekly radio show presented by the Lowell Chamber on Thursdays at 11am.
Yes. WFTM was one of the charter members of our city's Chamber of Commerce and was recently recognized for our 50th anniversary as part of the Chamber. We also are corporate sponsors for various Chamber events.
