Mastering the Membership Maze with Glen GouldI noted in a recent article that the first part of the year is the time when chambers and other membership organizations see a rise in
attendance. And true to form this has been the case this year.
Nearly all of the chambers I work with have reported record attendance at their programs for the first part of the year. Even in these challenging times many chambers have had record renewal and conversion rates as well.
There are many reasons for the jump in attendance, retention, and conversion. The resulting audience at chamber functions is full of people who haven't participated in networking groups before or who haven't been in quite some time. Now is a great time to attend chamber events and meet new people. Because many people at the chamber are new, you should be aware that most of them have limited networking skills. Many people new to chambers in this economy have come from industries where business came to them naturally. They never needed to network so they never learned to network. Here's where you can help them and help yourself in the process.
Try to remember what it was like when you attended your first chamber networking event. Chances are you felt intimidated, unsure of what to do or how to do it. For me, I was blessed to have Kathy Lehner, a professional realtor in Venice, Florida greet me at the door. What she did those many years ago has left a powerful impression on me. In my estimation, Kathy saved me from myself and from many of the mistakes most new networkers make. She greeted me at the door and asked, "Who do you need to meet?"
Of course I didn't know who I needed to meet because I never gave it much thought. Then she introduced me to interesting people, most of whom I would have never had access to without her introduction.
New members of the chamber are hungry for results and full of energy.
They need help channeling that energy into a positive experience. You can help them. Greet a new member at the next event. Walk up to someone you haven't met before and ask them, "Who do you need to meet?" Even if you don't know the person they are looking for you can help them connect with someone who probably does. Either way you can help them in their quest to be successful
And what about you? How does this help you? We've all heard of "paying it forward". But often we become impatient, seeking immediate results. When you help someone today, they will remember it for a long time to come. Need proof? You just got it. Kathy Lehner greeted me at the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce in Venice, Florida nearly ten years ago and I am still promoting her to this day. You must trust the process. If you help someone find success, success will certainly come to you.
Glen Gould
770-745-5102
attendance. And true to form this has been the case this year.
Nearly all of the chambers I work with have reported record attendance at their programs for the first part of the year. Even in these challenging times many chambers have had record renewal and conversion rates as well.
There are many reasons for the jump in attendance, retention, and conversion. The resulting audience at chamber functions is full of people who haven't participated in networking groups before or who haven't been in quite some time. Now is a great time to attend chamber events and meet new people. Because many people at the chamber are new, you should be aware that most of them have limited networking skills. Many people new to chambers in this economy have come from industries where business came to them naturally. They never needed to network so they never learned to network. Here's where you can help them and help yourself in the process.
Try to remember what it was like when you attended your first chamber networking event. Chances are you felt intimidated, unsure of what to do or how to do it. For me, I was blessed to have Kathy Lehner, a professional realtor in Venice, Florida greet me at the door. What she did those many years ago has left a powerful impression on me. In my estimation, Kathy saved me from myself and from many of the mistakes most new networkers make. She greeted me at the door and asked, "Who do you need to meet?"Of course I didn't know who I needed to meet because I never gave it much thought. Then she introduced me to interesting people, most of whom I would have never had access to without her introduction.
New members of the chamber are hungry for results and full of energy.
They need help channeling that energy into a positive experience. You can help them. Greet a new member at the next event. Walk up to someone you haven't met before and ask them, "Who do you need to meet?" Even if you don't know the person they are looking for you can help them connect with someone who probably does. Either way you can help them in their quest to be successful
And what about you? How does this help you? We've all heard of "paying it forward". But often we become impatient, seeking immediate results. When you help someone today, they will remember it for a long time to come. Need proof? You just got it. Kathy Lehner greeted me at the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce in Venice, Florida nearly ten years ago and I am still promoting her to this day. You must trust the process. If you help someone find success, success will certainly come to you.
Glen Gould
770-745-5102
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