As a chamber exec, you’re juggling events, advocacy, member needs, and board meetings. The last thing you have time for is a deep dive into tech skills. Digital relevance isn’t optional—it’s essential.
The good news?
You don’t need to become a coder or digital marketing wizard overnight to lead effectively in this space. You just need to adopt a few quick, high-impact digital skills that can immediately boost your chamber’s visibility, engagement, and efficiency.
Here’s a breakdown of the most useful digital skills every chamber professional should know—and how to learn them fast.
1. Master the Art of Simple Content Creation
You don’t need to hire an agency to post engaging content. Tools like Canva, CapCut, and ChatGPT make it easier than ever to create branded, scroll-stopping content in minutes.
Quick Wins:
- Create on-brand social graphics with Canva’s templates. Look for “event flyer,” “Instagram post,” or “infographic” templates.
- Use ChatGPT to brainstorm captions, blog post outlines, newsletter intros, or even welcome emails. You can type something as simple as “Write a welcome email for new chamber members in a friendly tone.”
- Record and caption short videos for event promos or member shoutouts using CapCut or Canva’s video tools.
Time Investment:
- 30–60 minutes to explore Canva tutorials or ChatGPT prompts.
- Use a single lunch break to level up your social media visuals.
Pro Tip: If you’re using Canva Pro, you can build a Brand Kit with your chamber’s logo, colors, and fonts. This makes it incredibly easy to keep everything consistent—whether you’re designing a new member welcome post or a legislative update graphic. No more hunting down hex codes or logos—just click and go.
2. Use Email Marketing Like a Pro
Email is still one of your strongest tools—but only if you use it strategically. Automation helps you save time and boost results. Here are a few things chambers can automate:
- Scheduling: Send emails or post content at optimal times—no manual clicks needed.
- Retargeting: Re-engage members or event attendees based on their past actions.
- Segmentation: Group your audience automatically based on behavior or interests.
- Personalization: Pull in names, interests, or member types to make emails feel one-on-one.
Quick Wins:
- Segment your audience into new members, renewing members, and event attendees for more relevant outreach.
- Set up an automated welcome series for new members and one for renewing members six months before renewal.
- Look at open and click rates to see what topics your members care about most.
Time Investment:
- 2–3 hours to set up a basic automation and segment list.
- 15 minutes weekly to check your email performance stats.
3. Understand Basic Analytics
You don’t need to be a data scientist to make smarter decisions. Learning how to interpret your Google Analytics, social media insights, and email reports can help you prioritize what’s working.
Quick Wins:
- Check your website’s top-performing pages in Google Analytics. Make sure those pages are up to date.
- Review social media post insights weekly to see which content drives the most engagement—replicate what works. Check topics, post time, and media to see what gets the views and interaction.
- Track link clicks in emails to see what topics members respond to.
For a really quick win, run your results by AI and ask it to analyze and give suggestions.
Time Investment:
- 1 hour to watch a beginner’s Google Analytics video.
- 15 minutes weekly to check and act on your data.
4. Get Comfortable With Casual Video (Selfie Style)
Video doesn’t have to be polished to perform well. In fact, members often engage more with authentic, low-production videos that feel personal. Reels that show a moment in time or make people laugh are also popular “watch getters.”
Quick Wins:
- Shoot short selfie videos from your desk or at events to promote programs, welcome new members, or answer FAQs.
- Use a simple script: “Hey chamber fam, just a quick reminder that our mixer is coming up Thursday at 5:30. We have a big announcement. See you there!”
- Use captions—most people watch without sound. Canva or CapCut can add them easily.
Time Investment:
- 10 minutes per video. Quick note: videos can take MUCH longer, but they don’t have to. Go for quick and real.
- One video a week is a game-changer for engagement.
5. Leverage AI to Save Time
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a “future” trend. Tools like ChatGPT, Otter.ai, and Grammarly can help you do more in less time.
Quick Wins:
- Generate draft emails, event titles, email subject lines, and/or blog posts with ChatGPT. You can even use it to summarize board reports or member surveys.
- Transcribe meeting notes using Otter.ai so you don’t have to write them from scratch. Otter will also answer questions about the content and summarize it for you.
- Polish your communication with Grammarly’s AI suggestions to ensure your tone is professional but approachable. Always double-check the suggestions. They aren’t always correct.
Time Investment:
- 15 minutes to set up and explore these tools.
- Use them daily to cut hours off your weekly workload.
6. Run Better Virtual Meetings & Webinars
Whether it’s Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, you want smooth and engaging online gatherings.
Quick Wins:
- Learn breakout rooms to encourage networking or deeper conversation in committee meetings.
- Use polls or Q&A features to keep virtual attendees engaged.
- Record and repurpose snippets of webinars or forums into social media content.
Time Investment:
- 1 hour to explore platform features.
- 15 minutes before each meeting to add one new engagement tool.
7. Update Your Online Presence Regularly
Your website and social media are your chamber’s digital front door. Keeping them fresh builds credibility and trust, not to mention search engines like new content.
Quick Wins:
- Keep your events calendar current and include links to register.
- Spotlight a member on social media with a quick photo and quote (weekly or monthly).
- Link your newsletter archive on your website so non-members can see what they’re missing.
Time Investment:
- 30 minutes per week for basic updates.
- Use templates or repeatable content themes to make it easier.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to stay digitally relevant—you just need to be a little more intentional with your tools and willing to experiment with new ones. Start with one or two of these quick-win skills, block time on your calendar, and build digital confidence step by step.
The world (and your members) are online. It’s time to meet them there—strategically, creatively, and efficiently.
Pro Tip: Want to build these skills without adding more to your plate? Assign a “Digital Day” once a month where you test new tools, watch a how-to video, or improve one system. Small steps now will lead to big wins later.
