Fundraising 100K in 45 Days For a Chamber (Case Study)On the sandy Gulf Shores of Florida
This Florida Gulf Chamber of Commerce had 380 members when we started. We raised over 100K in 45 days time. We did this only by creating and cross-selling their local area guide and map.
Challenge
The greatest challenge was that we were a new sales team in the area introducing some new products, while also selling an established publication. We were given the challenge of rebuilding 2 websites, selling and producing their membership directory and giving it a new look, while also introducing and selling a new highly interactive digital and print map. This mean 2 publications and 2 websites within a short window. Despite a few set-backs relating to hurricane season, we were able to break sales goals and complete our projects.
Solution
The solution our team put into place was initiating our multi-step sales process.
- We explored the demographics, personality, and previous work of the chamber to determine a solid strategy for approaching the Perdido Key community.
- As with every project, we take a personal approach. We had the chamber send out an email announcing the start of the sales process and introducing our team members.
- With the email sent out, our team went straight to the community, where we settled up in a cozy hotel and got to work. We started our outreach campaign where we individually contacted every member advocating for the chamber. That’s how we filled out schedule with meetings for the rest of the month.
- We met with as many local businesses that we could during the time period, we acted as an outreach arm of the chamber. We advocated for them to get engaged with the chamber, attend a few events that were going on, and to simply get involved.
- We attended every single chamber event, mixer, and round table during our stay. There we were able to integrate into the community and resourcefully network.
- All of the advertisers who signed up with us were put into our design and scheduling process to have us design their ads hassle free, when necessary.
Throughout the entire process, our sheer dedication to reaching out daily to businesses in the area, our constant involvement in community events, and our resourceful networking were able to land us sales of over $100,000.
Results
- Drastically increased fundraising numbers, blowing those of previous years out of the water.
- Created a local business culture of purchasing yearly ads from the chamber
- Gave the chamber an online home base for the local business community
- We broadened the horizons of the board by proving that the chamber can grow successfully through fundraising
- Educated the board and chamber on a variety of income streams that the community needed, and made it easily accessible.
- Increased the value of the chamber to its membership and community.
We Raised $100,000
We Created:
- A beautiful 116 page community profile & directory (Print & Digital)
- An interactive digital map, and high quality printed folded map
- A cutting edge chamber website, fully integrated with chambermaster. (www.perdidochamber.com)
- A visual and navigational overhaul of their visitor’s bureau site. (www.visitperdido.com)
Let’s get in touch. We love strategizing and learning about how your chamber operates and introducing new fundraising ideas.
“The Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry has had the pleasure of working with Dave & Suzanne Harris of Harris Chamber Team to produce our most recent map of Niles. This was genuinely an enjoyable experience. Dave & Suzanne took the time to get to know our members and their needs. They were not just concerned with filling the map with ads, but with meeting the needs of our members and community. It was a privilege to work with such and invested team. We are honored to call them partners!”
