One of the main reasons that businesses join the Howard County Chamber of Commerce is to get noticed in the community and build their customer base. Chamber membership comes with a variety of opportunities to market and promote a business’s products and services. For more information, start at www.HowardChamber.com or contact [email protected].

Web Site Presence

One of the most useful marketing tools is automatic when a business joins. Every month, more than 1,000 people use the Chamber’s online database of members to search for local businesses that have the products and services they need. Chamber members enjoy increased online visibility, with improved tools to make sure listings appear more often and more highly ranked in online search engines.

Enhanced Listings

With so many potential customers looking at the directory, a business might want to ensure it gets noticed. For $100 per year, the Chamber will add an eye-catching border and a company logo to the business’s online listing. When visitors view all the businesses organized by a keyword or category, an enhanced listing stands out from the crowd.

Member Discounts

Members can post discount offers at no cost. Members have offered 20% off to new clients, a free consultation to fellow Chamber members or a half-price bottle of wine with dinner as ways to promote their goods and services and attract new customers. It takes only minutes to use the “Member Discounts” link on the Chamber homepage, enter the member login and password, and fill out the online form with all the details.

Member Events Calendar

Members can post their events to the Chamber’s calendar at no cost. After the business logs in with its member number and password, it may use the “Submit an Event” link and fill out the online form with all the details.

Advertising

With more than 3,500 unique visitors viewing the Chamber web site every month, advertising on the site — a benefit available only to members — is a cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience. Year-long placement is available for $75 per month, with the option to refresh the ad content over that time.

Advertising is also available for a week, a month or several months in the Chamber’s E-weekly newsletter. This electronic publication is sent to more than 3,000 e-mail addresses every Thursday, giving member businesses an effective, affordable opportunity to get their message out.

Mailing Lists

A member may purchase the Chamber’s list of its 700 members’ U.S. mailing addresses as a spreadsheet or as printed labels. The list is useful for targeted marketing and making valuable connections with other people who want to do business with fellow members.

Proud Member Logo

Members are encouraged to display the “Proud Member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce” logo on their company web site, business letterhead and company business cards.

This logo lets others in the community recognize the business as a Chamber member and impresses customers with the business’s support of and involvement in the local community. The logo and its user agreement are easily accessed in the “Members Only” section of the Chamber web site with member login and password.

Table Displays

When more than 200 business and community leaders attend a Chamber breakfast or Member Luncheon, it is a perfect opportunity to showcase one’s company or organization with a display table. These highly visible spaces are perfect for distributing materials and making personal connections during designated networking time. Table rentals range from $175 to $225, depending on the location, and include a ticket to attend the event.

Ribbon Cuttings

The Chamber offers its members all the tools they need to hold a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate a new location, renovation or other major change. A bright blue ribbon, use of the Chamber’s giant scissors, publicity in Chamber publications and contact lists are all part of the package. Combined with the business’s efforts to offer refreshments, tours, door prizes or other activities, a ribbon cutting is a great way to put that business in the spotlight.

A Chamber membership will work best for you when you make active use of all the benefits the organization has to offer. More information is online at www.howardchamber.com, and Chamber staff members are happy to answer questions when you call 410-730-4111.