#lovemychamber - The Return on Investment on my Chamber Dues --- Every Tuesday - Reason #7 - Membership in a Chamber of Commerce Positively Impacts That Consumers will Patronize Your Business in the Future

How Chamber Membership Impacts a Small Business - When consumers know that a small business is a member of the Chamber, the business enjoys a 49% increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51% increase in consumer awareness, a 57% increase in its local reputation, and a 63% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

The 2012 study, conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, found consumer perceptions of chamber members to be positive in many ways: 

 If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., is a chamber 
board member), consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products stack up better 
against its competition. 
 When consumers know that a national restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of 
commerce, they are 68% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months. 
 When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of 
commerce, they are 36% more likely to think favorably of the company. 

Major Impact on Small Businesses 
Small businesses represent the largest segment of most local chamber membership rolls, and the study indicates that chamber membership has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members—if consumers are aware that the small business is involved with its local chamber. 

For example, if respondents know that a small business is a member of its local chamber, the 
business enjoys a 49% increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 73% increase in consumer awareness, a 68% increase in its local reputation, and an 80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future. 

For more information about this study and the Shapiro Group (TSG), http://www.schapirogroup.com/eUpdate/eUpdate_summer2013.htm

Sources: Multiple, including TSG, ACCE Release, Nov 2012

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The Value Proposition - Chamber annual dues: Around $250. Value of the Chamber of Commerce brand benefit #7 with no other participation in the chamber; $500 - Return On Investment Features #1-#7 = $3950; Total Return On Investment for Chamber Membership - 1540%.