In many cases, new members simply rely on the last option to grow their business through RBF, and are often surprised and disappointed when it doesn't happen as quickly as they'd like or not at all.
Seriously, you don't pay your membership fee just to get a mailing list. Or at least we hope you don't. Chambers of Commerce like ours encourage people to attend regular networking meetings for a reason - that being that people get to know you and like you, and refer you to their friends if they don't personally need your products and services.
It can take months to see the system working. Joining a Chamber doesn't guarantee you instant wealth like winning Lotto does. This is common across all Chambers of Commerce, not just RBF. If you met a car salesman at a party would you buy a car from him that very night? No, you'd arrange to meet again and discuss it. At the very least you'd exchange business cards. It might take you a few months to decide that you really do want that new car. But at least you know someone you can buy it from, whom you met initially in a no-pressure situation. Imagine that party is one of our events. You'll meet lots of people at it, and get to know them and their business, as they'll get to know yours. That's a much greater positive impact on your business than simply emailing everyone on the membership list and not attending any events.
It's easy to sit back and email people. Putting in the time to go to events and chat to other members takes an effort sometimes, particularly when you're in the middle of a project or rushing from a late meeting, but it's an effort that's worthwhile.
Your business will grow, but it needs the old-fashioned face to face contact to kick-start it. If you haven't been to a Business After Hours in a while, come to our next one. We've also got a couple of keynote breakfasts and luncheons coming up this spring to offer you extra networking opportunities.
See you soon!
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