Being a small business owner and entrepreneur means being part of a community of like-minded people, all of whom are aimed at fulfilling their own mission and goals through growth and opportunities. Joining a chamber of commerce is a great way to further those networking options, either with local businesses or those within your industry. Here's a look at just a few of the major benefits you'll enjoy with membership.

Why Business Owners Should Be Chamber of Commerce Members

1. Marketing 

With the advent and growth of social media, building a large following and making your business known online can be difficult. A local chamber of commerce often advertises for its members, casting a wider marketing net than each individual business is likely to have alone. This increased visibility is important for sales and for building a community with customers, clients, and the area you serve. 

2. Networking

A lot of business is figuring out who your competitors are, but so much more of it is learning how to help each other grow. Business owners tend to run into a lot of the same problems, and the best people to brainstorm with are those who get exactly what you're going through. A chamber of commerce tends to host networking events for its members, allowing for an increased sense of community for entrepreneurs, as well as the chance to socialize and decompress from the demands of owning a business. 

3. Credibility 

There's a lot of paperwork to file in order to become a legal, recognized business, but the surefire way to increase that credibility is to join the local chamber of commerce. It's essentially a stamp of approval from the most business-focused sector out there. This membership will help propel a business forward with a better customer-facing acknowledgment than any competition without this valuable membership. 

If you're a business owner or rising entrepreneur in East Point, College Park, Hapeville, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills, or another community in the Southwest Atlanta, GA, area, it's time to join the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce Inc. Since 1947, they have been providing business development services, including networking events, marketing, and government advocacy, to exciting new local startups. Call (770) 964-1984 or visit them online to learn more about the chamber and the benefits of membership.