15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I have a list of major Chambers of Commerce, what to offer them?

by misc92
13 replies
I have a list of major Chambers of Commerce in my country, I also have the contact information of their offices and atleast the name of the decision taker. I have his personal email in most cases.

I noticed most of this chambers have HORRIBLE websites, flash websites, websites designed in the 90s, etc...

I realized I can sell web-design to most of them. But this also made me realize that they probably dont have many other services or dont know they can automate several processes. What else can i sell to them...?

So far i plan to offer:
- Web design + hosting + domain + mantainance
- Purchasing a whitelabel CRM, branding it to my own and then selling it to them.
- what else?
#chambers #commerce #list #major #offer
  • Profile picture of the author payment proof
    Have you created a sample site yet? Maybe a generic Chamber of Commerce site so you can approach them and say, this is what your site looks like now, and this is how much better I can make it look. Let them see a side by side viewing.

    Having a sample of your talent to show them may help with sales.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6215102].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author af7850
    I am active in several Chamber groups, and my experience is that their biggest need is to validate their own existence. These people are always struggling to provide enough value to their members to justify membership costs.

    I would think that tying their website to a very membership-centric mechanism would excite them. Perhaps offer the option of a membership-type site? Local businesses who participate could create their own member page, participate in community blogging, log in to video chat networking events, share referrals, etc.

    Each feature module could be an additional up charge. Also they could negotiate a preferred rate with you and offer it to their members.

    Maybe this is over the top, but I hope it helps.


    Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6215608].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author misc92
      Originally Posted by af7850 View Post

      I am active in several Chamber groups, and my experience is that their biggest need is to validate their own existence. These people are always struggling to provide enough value to their members to justify membership costs.

      I would think that tying their website to a very membership-centric mechanism would excite them. Perhaps offer the option of a membership-type site? Local businesses who participate could create their own member page, participate in community blogging, log in to video chat networking events, share referrals, etc.

      Each feature module could be an additional up charge. Also they could negotiate a preferred rate with you and offer it to their members.

      Maybe this is over the top, but I hope it helps.


      Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
      Good ideas, Im also really interested in purchasing white label systems and upselling them with my own brand. Any idea of what type of systems chambers need? or could even resell for me under their own branding?
      Signature

      Affiliate links are not allowed in signatures

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6215632].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author af7850
    Mind you I know very little about white label products...

    Your crm idea is spot on. I know they could use epos, email broadcast marketing, event invitation and registration, etc.


    Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6215667].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nonin
    I agree with @af7850 -> offer them an option of a membership-type site
    Signature
    Shared Hosting & Dedicated Servers HostMaria ||| 22-24 Aug Domain Summit in London
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6215692].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Preeti
    How about taking it one step further...

    Chamber of Commerces are a powerful center of influence. They already are connected and stand as an authority in the minds of your target market: business owners.

    Perhaps offer them a discount in exchange for mailing out to their members about your services or have you published in their monthly newsletter or website?

    Then, start following up with the members, start making relationships and position yourself as "the guy/gal who is the marketing expert and helped the Chamber with their website.."

    Good luck!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216048].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
      Originally Posted by Preeti View Post

      How about taking it one step further...

      Chamber of Commerces are a powerful center of influence. They already are connected and stand as an authority in the minds of your target market: business owners.

      Perhaps offer them a discount in exchange for mailing out to their members about your services or have you published in their monthly newsletter or website?

      Then, start following up with the members, start making relationships and position yourself as "the guy/gal who is the marketing expert and helped the Chamber with their website.."

      Good luck!
      I have tried that... Maybe I didn't present it right, I am not sure...
      But, I was not a member of the chamber I was prospecting.
      Their answer was they only do business with companies that are part of their chamber.
      Signature
      Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
      - Neale Donald Wilson -
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216187].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author af7850
        Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

        I have tried that... Maybe I didn't present it right, I am not sure...
        But, I was not a member of the chamber I was prospecting.
        Their answer was they only do business with companies that are part of their chamber.
        You said "the chamber", in singular. I can understand why their objection makes sense, but I guarantee that every chamber is unique just as every chiropractor, dentist, plumber, etc is. Prospect 50 chambers and you'll get a better baseline.

        Additionally, that is kind of a weak objection. As a general rule, any objection that is presented in absolute terms (i.e. 'we never') is just a knee-jerk resistance to being sold something, esp. when it's the first thing they say to you.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216243].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
          Originally Posted by af7850 View Post

          You said "the chamber", in singular. I can understand why their objection makes sense, but I guarantee that every chamber is unique just as every chiropractor, dentist, plumber, etc is. Prospect 50 chambers and you'll get a better baseline.

          Additionally, that is kind of a weak objection. As a general rule, any objection that is presented in absolute terms (i.e. 'we never') is just a knee-jerk resistance to being sold something, esp. when it's the first thing they say to you.
          I understand your thoughts.. but this chamber serves a pop of over 500k.
          Not as big as Detroit, but they have several similar businesses within it. It's not a BNI, where there is one of each kind of niche. There are at least 3 of each kind of company.

          I chose not to join the chamber due to the fact that I don't like networking. My own personal beliefs. I enjoy meeting new people. I don't like having to kiss ass or prove my worth and my value.

          I prefer referrals, and being presented as an expert.

          Also, I believe you took my quote out of context.
          My other reply was directed to the quote, I quoted.
          There was talk of doing a mailing to the list.

          I was told only current members could advertise to current members.
          I go big or go home. I don't have time to mess around with this or that.
          I don't bother talking to 50 propects. I would rather talk to 5, and move on.
          Signature
          Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
          - Neale Donald Wilson -
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216328].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author af7850
            Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

            I understand your thoughts.. but this chamber serves a pop of over 500k.

            Also, I believe you took my quote out of context.
            My other reply was directed to the quote, I quoted.
            There was talk of doing a mailing to the list.

            I suppose I did misunderstand your previous comment, sorry about that.


            I was told only current members could advertise to current members.
            That's not surprising at all. Consider, though, that what was suggested was offering to discount services to the chamber in exchange for exposure. At the right price point, the discount could exceed the cost of membership. If it doesn't, and they don't want to deal, then charge them full price!

            Regardless, a job well done should at least warrant a couple of referrals. Or, a chamber-branded service (white label) that generates revenue for the chamber might not receive the same scrutiny.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216433].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
              Originally Posted by af7850 View Post

              I suppose I did misunderstand your previous comment, sorry about that.

              That's not surprising at all. Consider, though, that what was suggested was offering to discount services to the chamber in exchange for exposure. At the right price point, the discount could exceed the cost of membership. If it doesn't, and they don't want to deal, then charge them full price!

              Regardless, a job well done should at least warrant a couple of referrals. Or, a chamber-branded service (white label) that generates revenue for the chamber might not receive the same scrutiny.
              Not sure apology was accepted... :confused:

              I understand what was brought up in the OP.
              My first post, was geared towards the quote in my reply.
              My second post, was to clarify that my first post was geared towards the quote in my initial reply.
              This will be my third and final post clarifying that.

              I was just offering my opinion, in the feedback I received, on doing what was mentioned in the quote my initial reply.

              I think the idea the OP had was a good one.
              I would sell to the chambers, a white-label marketing option.

              Why not have the chambers offer your services, and outsource the work to you? The chambers gave provide sites as part of their membership, or at a certain membership level.
              Signature
              Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
              - Neale Donald Wilson -
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216802].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author misc92
                One could offer a white label version of enterprise sendible, with their own logo to the chamber of commerce so they can upsell a social media management tool to their memebers.
                Signature

                Affiliate links are not allowed in signatures

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6217369].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author af7850
    Preeti is exactly right. In fact, many of the members of coc's in less urbanized areas join as one of their old school marketing strategies. Many times they are far less net-savvy and are in desperate need of trusted advice.


    Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6216092].message }}

Trending Topics