Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Reaching out to Businesses = Building Chamber Membership

     New businesses in a sluggish economy?  Yes, it's happening every day.  Despite the economic tight spot, new businesses are coming out of the ashes as the economy shifts and reforms from the hardships experienced over the last 3 years around the globe.  New businesses are being formed from the learning experiences of failed businesses before.  Marketing tactics have changed from the explosive growth of e-commerce, social media, and shifting production demands for consumer products.  With all of these changes, how does your chamber of commerce constantly adapt its promotional efforts so it remains relevant in the face of change?

That's where Keystone Specialties, a promotional marketing company specializing in helping chambers of commerce, can help your chamber adapt its promotional tactics for the sweeping changes of today.  From tourism development promotions to business mixer promotions, we have over 800,000 products available to customize your advertising.  Here is a list of promotional products most chambers of commerce should be using to help a statement in the region you serve:


Recognition Plaques

   Used to recognize outstanding business members, civic groups that make notable contributions to the community, or staff members who excel at their responsibilities, personalized recognition plaques can be presented in the media spotlight or at private events.  They show that your chamber of commerce is engaged with what's happening in the community.  They can help recognize owners and managers of new businesses who reach their 1 year anniversary or help bring innovative products and services to your region.


Avenue Banners

    Avenue banners bring public awareness to the vibrancy of your community by showing a colorful side of life in your region.  The street scene is where festivals, art shows, and public interaction takes place constantly, so why not have attractive custom street banners on display?  If your chamber sponsors the purchase of new street banners, each banner can be printed with your chamber of commerce name as part of the graphic design to bring recognition to the contributions your chamber is making to your region's attractiveness.  Street banners can be reserved for the most traveled streets, or an entire neighborhood to distinguish it as a special area of commerce.


Custom Printed Napkins/ Custom Printed Plates/ Custom Printed Cups

     Business mixers, parties, and grand opening events should be decked out with promotional plates, cups, and napkins provided by the chamber of commerce.  This is where your chamber can be sure to acquire new business members by providing these party goods for free as a courtesy and welcome package to the new business.
   
     Here's how to make this happen:  As soon as you hear of a new business being developed in your region, find out when the expected opening is, and who the manager will be.  Then contact the new manager or owner if they would like to have a grand opening party co-sponsored by your chamber.  Offer to have the chamber provide the plates, cups, and napkins for light refreshments along with some of the food as a welcome package if the business joins your chamber.  Who could refuse?  The business manager or owner will want to bring positive publicity to the business and meet other business owners in the community to introduce their products or services to everyone.  It's a win-win-win for the new business, the chamber, and the community as everyone gets introduced to others.

    As part of the package provided by your chamber, custom printed plates, printed napkins, and custom printed cups can be provided to promote the chamber of commerce for everyone to use at the event.  These can be environmentally friendly corn-based plastics and recycled biodegradable paper napkins to make a minimum impact on our environment.


Chamber Membership Plaques

     Make sure your current chamber members feel like they're part of something special by providing a custom plaque when they join your chamber.  The plaque can be molded with your chamber's logo, and have year tags below the logo for each year the organization is a member of your chamber.  From wooden plaques to engraved crystal to custom shaped plastics with bold colors, anything is possible to create your custom plaques.


Custom Lanyards and Name Badges for Events

     The next trade show or convention you attend, take a look at what everyone is wearing.  Clothes, of course, but notice the accessory around everyone's neck?  They're called lanyards.  If they're not wearing a lanyard, they're probably wearing a name badge clipped on their lapel or stuck to their shirt.  Of course we sync data and are used to pulling our smart phones out to exchange contact information on the fly, but the humble name badge and lanyard are hard to replace.  Why?  It's a quick visual reference to see the organization someone represents by looking at their badge and know their name when meeting for the first time.  That's an important exchange of information at a trade show or convention, so make sure your chamber orders custom lanyards and name badges to represent yourselves at every event.  The great fact about lanyards or name badges is that they can be ordered once and re-used for many events. 


Custom Collectibles to Promote Your Region

     Make the assets of your region stand out on custom collectibles everyone will enjoy.  Tourists will have something to purchase and remind them of your region, but more importantly residents can grow their appreciation of what your region offers.  Feature everything from architectural wonders to beautiful natural features.  Even feature businesses that have been well established and known throughout your community as an asset.  There are thousands of subjects you can choose for these collectibles to bring publicity and appreciation to your community. 


     After reading through these top promotional ideas to help bring new members to your chamber of commerce, it's time to take action.  Contact Keystone Specialties by phone or through our website.  See examples of fundraisers & promotions we've created for other chambers of commerce throughout our 28 years of business, or shop for promotional products by key word or category on our website.  Imagine the possibilities! 

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