Should you thank a member for investing in their own business? Probably not, but showing appreciation to members for renewals is not as simple as that. Plus, you’re not thanking them for renewing. You’re thanking them for being a part of something larger than themselves in your community. You’re thanking them for investing in your town and helping you advocate for others. And you’re thanking them for continuing the partnership you’ve started together. A heartfelt show of thanks can go a long way in making them feel valued and part of the business community.
But every chamber has a budget and limited resources, so how do you show appreciation without breaking the bank or making your board wonder if there’s a return on investment in what you’re doing?
A simple “thank you” is a start, but truly impactful appreciation goes beyond the surface. Let’s explore some effective ways to show your members that you value their contributions.
1. Personalized Recognition: Know Your Members
Thank you acknowledgments don’t always have to be about gifts. There are ways to make everyone feel special without purchasing something. Keep the following in mind:
- Don’t feel like you have to treat all members the same. Segment your membership based on tenure, engagement level, industry, or contribution. Tailor your appreciation to reflect their specific involvement. A new member might appreciate a welcome call and a social media shoutout, while a long-standing member might value an exclusive invitation to a leadership roundtable.
- Celebrate anniversaries, business successes, and personal achievements. Send personalized cards, make public announcements, or offer small, thoughtful gifts.
- Regularly solicit feedback and demonstrate that you’re listening. When a member suggests an improvement, acknowledge their input and, if possible, implement their idea. If the idea wasn’t anonymous, reach out to them and let them know you heard their suggestion and that you’re incorporating it. They’ll feel like a VIP. Speaking of…
2. Public Acknowledgement: Amplify Their Voice
Showcase your members, making them feel incredibly important.
- Feature members in your newsletter, website, or social media channels. Highlight their achievements, share their stories, quote them (great for thought leadership), and promote their businesses.
- Showcase how members have benefited from their Chamber membership. Share their success stories to inspire others and demonstrate the value of your organization.
- Establish formal awards programs that recognize outstanding contributions to the community or industry. Host a gala or ceremony to celebrate the winners. If your members prefer something more casual, consider hosting a Member Appreciation BBQ or Open House at the Chamber.
- Actively engage with members’ social media posts. Share their content, leave comments, and tag them in relevant posts. Most businesses struggle to be seen on social media. Engaging with their content can help improve that and get more eyes on their content.
3. Exclusive Opportunities: Provide Tangible Value
Sometimes, the best way to show appreciation is through exclusive opportunities just ask social media influencers. They’re experts in this area. You can provide:
- Early Bird Access: Offer members exclusive early access to events, expos, or resources.
- VIP Events: Host members-only behind-the-scenes tours or meet-and-greets with influential speakers.
- Industry Roundtables: Provide exclusive access to industry roundtables that address specific industry needs and introduce them to C-suite execs.
- Referral Programs: Create a member referral program that rewards members for bringing in new businesses.
4. Sincere Gestures: Show You Care
If you’ve ever perused Pinterest, you know it’s a hotbed of ideas for thank you gifts and sentiments. But if you don’t have time to look there, we compiled a few of our favorites.
- Handwritten Notes: In a digital world, a handwritten note stands out. Take the time to write personalized thank-you notes for significant contributions or milestones. Michael Throne from the Chilicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce shared that, “We do cards to all new members signed by our board members and staff. It’s a simple thank you, but it gets great feedback.”
- Personal Calls: Schedule time to call members and check in. Ask about their businesses, listen to their concerns, and offer assistance. Don’t have the time? Delegate this to your Ambassadors.
- Small Gifts: Consider small, thoughtful gifts that align with your members’ interests or industries. Local products, branded merchandise, or gift certificates to local businesses are excellent choices.
- Volunteer Appreciation: If members volunteer for Chamber events or initiatives, host a volunteer appreciation event or send personalized thank-you packages.
Appreciation Gifts for Chamber Members
If you’ve decided “a little something” is the way to go in showing your members how much you appreciate them, take a cue from these chamber pros and what worked at their chambers.
“Our chamber does Operation Thank You to all of our members. We spend three days going out to all of our members with their new date stickers and our members are allowed to put swag in the bags (no coupons or papers). Our members love it. The Ambassadors and Staff get to go out and meet everyone it is so much fun.” – Vicki Galford Keibler, Barrow County Chamber of Commerce
“I did bags of popcorn and said, ‘Just popping in to say hello’ on the tag. It was well liked, low cost and delicious!” – Sarah Christine
“Chocolate was still our most popular.” – Stacie Bratcher
“For growing you can also do seed cards that can be planted.” – Lisa Bonnington
“Local honey. (Let us help you with your sticky situations.) Local lavender sachets. (Relax and engage with your chamber friend). Locally made soap.” – Sharon Mitchell
“For prospects, we have done the ‘Let’s have coffee’ and brought them a coffee gift card and we have also done the ‘Popping in to say hi’ with popcorn.” – Roseann Bailsely, Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I got the plants for $1.50 each and the container for $1.25. I made and printed the graphic and stapled it to a straw, with my card on the back, and stuck it in the plant. Our Ambassadors delivered them with an envelope containing all of their business cards. Our members loved it!!” – Jen Marshall, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce
Key Takeaways on Effective Member Communication
Whether you decide it’s items or actions that will impress your members and make them feel valued, it’s essential to remember:
- Authenticity is paramount. Genuine appreciation resonates more than generic gestures.
- Consistency is key. Regular and ongoing appreciation fosters stronger relationships. A delivery once a year is nice, but it alone is not going to improve your relationship, any more than a grocery store bouquet every Valentine’s Day will make a good marriage.
- Personalization matters. Tailor your appreciation to the individual member.
- Value creation is essential. Yes, you want to thank them for their commitment to the business community, but don’t forget to show members how their membership benefits them.
To be the most successful, cultivate a culture of appreciation within your Chamber, strengthening member relationships and fostering a thriving business community.
Remember, showing gratitude is not just good manners, it’s good business.
