How to make the most out of your TACC membership

Being a member is all about getting out what you put in.

by Hannah Fell

Tahlequah LOVES its local businesses, and we at the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce love to help your business capitalize on the community's support. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and the same notion goes for building up a strong business. So, the first step to a thriving business is to find those resources that can help you succeed, resources such as a TACC membership. 

Once you are a member of the TACC it doesn’t stop there. Like any relationship, you get out what you put in. Here are some tips to help you maximize your benefits as a TACC member and build up your business stronger than ever before.

Networking

Networking is a crucial step in building up knowledge, support, and credibility within the community. It is not only an opportunity to learn, but to be inspired by other business owners and entrepreneurs as well. The TACC hosts events throughout the year that will give you the opportunity to put your name and face out there, build local relationships, and learn from the advice of others. So here is how we recommend you make the most of your membership by networking:

• Attend the Monthly Mingle. During the beginning of each month the TACC hosts a monthly meeting at a members' venue that is catered locally. The event is free to attend for all members! Come out and enjoy free snacks and drinks and mingle with your peers.
• Attend TACC events. Throughout the fiscal year the TACC holds several large events including the Annual Banquet, State of The Community, and a golf tournament. Memberships have the opportunity to purchase tickets to all TACC events, you are encouraged to come and show support for the TACC and build up your networking skills.

Advertising

Marketing yourself to new, potential, and even regular customers is so important to the development of building a relationship with the public. How you present your business, ideas, products, and self to the community is how they will think about you. When it comes to advertising the TACC is here to help you with some valuable resources. Here’s how to get the most out of advertising with the TACC:

• Put a FREE ad in our Chamber Chat weekly newsletter. The TACC sends out a weekly newsletter to over 3,000 subscribers every Wednesday morning. All members are able to send in their advertisements every week to be featured. All we need is a digital advertisement in PNG or JPG format sent by each Friday and we will include it in our following newsletter.
• Buy a sponsorship at any of our events. In June of every year we offer all of our members the opportunity to become sponsors for any of our events throughout the fiscal year (July-June). We offer several levels of sponsorships that include differing benefits. But being a sponsor at any level offers you the opportunity to build your recognition at TACC events with your logo. 
• Interact with our official TACC social media pages. So much advertisement happens online nowadays. Especially for younger generations, they consume more social media than any other form of media. A great way to build a connection with customers is to have a very active social media presence. Comment on and like TACC posts, and the rest of our followers will see your name on our page.

Stay up to date

Don’t let valuable opportunities and information pass you by. Keep up to date with what is happening in the Chamber and with the information we provide for you and your business. Every week we have something new for you, so here’s how to keep up:

• Read our weekly blog, just like you are doing now! Each week we will be posting new blogs, containing educational, fun or interesting information for you. Stay tuned in to learn some tips and tricks to help boost your business.
• Subscribe to our newsletter and social media pages. Just like our blog we have our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our newsletter and social media pages to keep up to date with Chamber happenings and members events and news.
• Get involved with Chamber happenings. We love our members who donate their time and effort to help us out at events and other happenings. Get right into the middle of Chamber business and volunteer at our events. 

With all of these tips, tricks, and ideas you will be a super star TACC member in no time, and your business will thank you for it. The TACC is here to help you connect with the community, Tahlequah business is our priority. So help us help you by staying an active member in the Chamber!