Chambers of Commerce Need to Tell Their Story

Chambers of Commerce often struggle to effectively communicate their value and impact to their communities.

Telling their story is crucial for attracting new members, engaging existing ones, and building stronger relationships with stakeholders.
 
Here's why and how Chambers of Commerce need to tell their story:
 
Why Storytelling Matters:
 

Humanizes the Chamber: Stories connect with people on an emotional level, making the Chamber more relatable and less like a faceless organization.

 

Demonstrates Impact: Stories can showcase the tangible results of the Chamber's work, such as businesses thriving, jobs created, and community improvements.

 

Builds Trust and Credibility: Sharing authentic stories builds trust and credibility with members and the community, demonstrating the Chamber's commitment and effectiveness.

 

Creates Engagement: Compelling stories capture attention and encourage engagement, fostering a stronger sense of community and participation.

 

Differentiates the Chamber: In a crowded landscape, stories can help the Chamber stand out and communicate its unique value proposition.

 
How to Tell the Chamber's Story:
 

Identify Your Audience: Understand who you are trying to reach (businesses, residents, community leaders) and tailor your stories accordingly.

 

Focus on Impact: Share stories that demonstrate the positive impact of the Chamber's work on businesses, individuals, and the community.

 

Highlight Member Successes: Showcase stories of how Chamber membership has helped businesses grow, connect, and succeed.

 

Share Community Stories: Tell stories about how the Chamber has contributed to community development, improved quality of life, and addressed local challenges.

 

Use Multiple Channels: Utilize a variety of channels to share your stories, including website, social media, newsletters, videos, podcasts, and events.

 

Be Authentic and Relatable: Share genuine stories that resonate with your audience, highlighting both successes and challenges.

 

Encourage Member Participation: Invite members to share their stories and testimonials, creating a sense of community and shared success.

 

Use Visual Storytelling: Incorporate images, videos, and infographics to make your stories more engaging and memorable.

 

Measure and Evaluate: Track the reach and impact of your stories to understand what resonates with your audience and refine your storytelling strategy.

 
By effectively telling their story, Chambers of Commerce can strengthen their position as a vital resource for businesses and communities, driving economic growth and community development.

Storytelling: Connect and Engage

I recently attended a seminar, on the title of this blog, conducted by Carol Buckland with The Communication Center.

This blog post are based on my notes from her presentation.

She started with the six powerful words – let me tell you a story!

Telling stories affects different parts of your brain and that’s why they are remembered.

Studies suggest 90 percent audience retention using stories

An old adage but is still true today

• Tell them what you’re going to tell them
• Tell them
• Tell them again

Crafting messages using key facts/statistics – or said a different way, proof points is a sound way to go when shaping your story.

The following "Story Formula" was handed out by Carol and is a great tool to use when constructing your STORIES.

• Select - a compelling story from your personal or professional life
• Tailor - it for your audience
• Offer - useful content: a lesson, inspiration, etc.
• Relate - it to the main message of your presentation
• Illustrate - your point with unique details
• Edit - fiercely keep it clear and concise
• Seal - the deal with a strong takeaway

What is the purpose of your story? You must have a purpose!

You must also know your audience – their knowledge, attitudes, expectations, in order to tell a story that will connect and engage.

Expectations is key, you must deliver on this – think of the radio station we all listen to, WIIFM – what’s in it for me!

The Story - can your audience relate?  Does it reinforce your goal?

Imagine is a great word to start a story!  Fill in with details.  Talk about senses (smell, sound, etc.), sequence (start at the end) and always edit your story.

Storytelling is a performance – be engaging, be expressive, be passionate and be memorable.  Her final comment:

• Start strong;
• Finish strong; and
• Connect the dots

For a resource on storytelling go HERE.

Good luck!

You Have a Great Story: Tell it Like a Pro!

I attended a great session recently on storytelling conducted by Brian Harrison, SEMA and Kate Sigety, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at an ASAE Annual Meeting.

The following are my notes taken from their presentation.

They started by telling the history, the process and the different perspectives of telling a great story for your members, associations and your career.

Here we go!

History

• 8.7 million species in the world, only 1 can tell a story, us!  Cave scrolls to books, to TV to Facebook walls.
• Purpose has not changed in storytelling.
• What has changed is the delivery (Think social media, instant communications).

The Process

• Three steps (connect, create, communicate)
• Connect - with your audience, what are their values, what are their needs and how can you reach them?
• Create - remember the basics, keep it simple, show, don't tell, build from your mission (think child stories that we remember).
• Communicate - pick your platforms, produce a dialogue, get feedback, analyze results.

Storytelling Perspectives

For your members - make them care.

• Stories vs messaging.
• Messaging without stories equals cold and inauthentic.
• Stories in support of messaging equals connection and motivation.
• The best story is one that doesn't require you to tell it.
• Your stories need to be: engaging, emotional, entertaining and scalable.

For your association - stories will always be told by your members, make sure they are the stories you want told.  Attach emotion to your association's:

• Member benefits;
• Annual meeting;
• Research; and
• Education opportunities.

For your career - you are responsible for your story, own it!

• Do you believe in your story?  If you don't, no one else will.  Think passion!
• What is the "Why" in your story?  The "How" will not survive without a strong "Why."
• Your story doesn't have to be perfect!
• Attitude - your attitude affects your story, which is your prophecy.  Create your own narrative.  Integrate into your resume and LinkedIn and be persuasive.

At the end of the day, create stickiness with your stories.  It was a great presentation and their final words - Lead with a story!

3 Tips for a Great Presentation

Start with a bang.  Tell a story.  End with where you began.

All successful speakers have mastered these three techniques in addition to their own experiences on delivering the goods on a great presentation.

Here's three I'd like to focus on:

1. Know your subject matter;
2. Tell a story; and
3. Keep it simple.

Know your subject matter:

You're not credible if you don't know your subject matter.  Don't fake it!  They will see right through you. The key is to stay focused on your presentation and subject matter and don't get off on a tangent.

Tell a story:

If you've ever read anything about giving a top-notch presentation, it's all about storytelling.  Begin with a story and end with a story that ties back to the original story that you told.  The stories is what your audience will remember, not the other stuff, unfortunately.  So it's key to bury your main message in the story.

Keep it simple:

I'm reminded by a blog post I did, and you can find it HERE, that if you want them to remember something keep it to three topics, if you want them to remember nothing, than tell them 10 things.

It's so true.  Keep it simple and they will remember your message. So don't push that theory!

Figure out what you want them to leave with and deliver that message.

I'm also reminded by a recent blog post I did on "If You're Creating a Start-up: Find Your Three Words" to describe your business?  You can find it HERE.

It's true, keep it simple and they will remember your message.

Are You Clearly Explaining Your Value? Learn to Tell Your Story Better

First, you must have a story to tell.  We all do.

Now let's focus on what your story is!  In other words what does your chamber stand for?  Once you can answer that question, then it's time to build your story around it.

Once you've built your story - tell it!  Tell it everywhere and often.

The key.  State your story and don't change it.  One of our Institute faculty members, Tony Rubleski, used to say "use the COPE theory," create once publish everywhere.

That's something to think about.

If you have a consistent message your audience (your members, your community and your legislators) will know what your chamber stands for.

I hope your story is about advocating for your membership at the local, state and federal levels of government and building a stronger community.

Never forget we're here to serve our members.

Here's a great resource on tips written by Jasmine Henry on storytelling found on Writtent.  That blog post can be found HERE.

Does Your Chamber Have a Story To Tell?

Competition is everywhere!

The Internet, the chamber in the next town, even some of your members could be providing similar programs to your members.

What’s a chamber to do?

The key is you need to be able to tell your story to your members, your nonmembers and your community.

What is your chamber doing that is unique and a story you can tell to your members, nonmembers and your community?

Tell that story!  And tell it again, again and again.

I was at a conference recently and the following example was given to illustrate the story of this blog post:  An association for landscaping companies cleans up Arlington National Cemetery every year.

Who would not want to be part of that deal?

What a story, and it was suggested that many members of the association join just to be a part of that experience.

What story do you want to tell about your chamber?