Tom L. from Boise here. Thinking about joining the local chamber to network for utility audit clients. Membership is $480/year plus breakfast meetings are $25 each. For those who've tried this route, what's been your ROI? Worth it or better to spend marketing dollars elsewhere?
Chamber of Commerce networking - worth the investment?
Stan A. also in Boise. I've been chamber member for three years Tom. Got two solid clients from networking events - one restaurant that I saved $8,400 annually on Idaho Power Schedule 9, and a small manufacturer where we found $12K in demand charge errors. Membership paid for itself several times over but you have to work the room consistently.
Theresa K. from Bozeman chiming in. Chamber networking works but it's a long game. Most business owners don't wake up thinking about utility bills until they get hit with a big increase. I've found success positioning myself as the "energy expert" first, then following up when rate changes happen. NorthWestern Energy just announced increases and I'm getting calls from chamber contacts made months ago.
Karen W. from Charlotte here. Chamber has been hit or miss for me. The breakfast crowd tends to be insurance agents, real estate folks, and financial advisors all trying to sell each other services. I've had better luck with industry-specific groups - restaurant associations, retail federations, manufacturing councils. These folks have similar utility challenges and actually talk shop.
All good perspectives here. I'd say chamber networking works best as part of a broader strategy, not your only approach. The key is becoming a resource, not a salesperson. When someone mentions high electric bills, don't pitch immediately - ask good questions, offer quick tips, then follow up later. I've found chamber connections are more likely to refer you to others once they trust your expertise.
Pete M. in Boise jumping in. Tom, if you do join, volunteer for committees. I'm on the energy and environment committee and it positions me as the utility expert automatically. We review local energy policies and I get to share insights about commercial rate structures. Led to consulting work with several committee members' businesses.
Great advice everyone. Think I'll try it for a year and track results carefully. Stan, would you mind if I mentioned your name when I contact them? Always helps to have a warm introduction.
Absolutely Tom, happy to introduce you. I'll email you the contact info for Sarah at the chamber. Mention the utility audit work I do and she'll get you connected with the right committees. Good luck!
Six month update for anyone interested - chamber membership has been worth it. Got two audits so far totaling $6,800 in fees, plus three solid referrals I'm working on. The key was Pete's advice about committee work. Being seen as the energy expert makes all the difference. Breakfast meetings are still mostly sales pitches but the committee work is gold.