Let the Chamber Market Your Business

One of the very first things I did when I started my business many years ago was to join the .

After leaving the corporate world, it was the first place I turned to connect to other businesses and resources I needed to get started.

The small membership fee has been returned to my business so many times over that I can't even count.

Next month, more than 10,000 copies of the chamber's 2011/2012 business directory will be distributed throughout the community — to City Hall, the library, dentist and doctor offices, area hotels in the area and chamber members.

Visitors who stop by the chamber office on First Street can request their own copy. It also will be available for people to download or browse online.

Other chamber benefits that help members market or advertise their business include:

As a member, you get a free searchable business listing on its website. The website generates about 3,000 visits per month, 75 percent of which comes from search engines like Google. You are listed alphabetically and by business classification. A link back to your website to help you on the search engines is included.

Ribbon cuttings for your business are free. You'll get a committee of ambassadors to welcome your business, and hear all about what you do. Your ribbon-cutting photo and business description are published in the chamber's monthly business journal, which is delivered to newspaper subscribers all over the Tri-Valley. The photo and your contact information also are published on the chamber's ribbon-cutting photo album.

If your business has some news, be sure to submit your press release to the chamber for publication and promotion on its website. Many chamber members post coupons or discounts through the website, too. Members have free access. 

Its weekly Monday Morning Blast e-newsletter is delivered to nearly 2,000 mailboxes every Monday, and promotes local business happenings, coupons, special deals and news.

As a central place for people to find businesses to do business with, the chamber has a large promotional display in its reception area, and you're encouraged to bring in your business cards and brochures. As long as you're a member, your cards will be on permanent display for visitors to pick up.

The chamber also gets about 100 requests every month for recommendations for businesses. Only members are referred.

Finally, newsworthy items are promoted every day through the chamber's social media connections, including its Facebook page and nuAlerts. A new blog is about to be launched. It will host all the chamber's news, as well as members' news and press releases.

As a business owner, it's crucial to have connections in the community, and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce should be your first stop after getting your business license.

Even if you've been in business for a lot longer, explore the many benefits and have a ribbon-cutting celebration! I can easily say that it'll be the best marketing dollars you could spend, especially if you're on a tight budget.

To learn more, talk to Nicole or the other staff at 925-447-1606. You also can join the chamber online directly through its secure web portal.