Is anyone registered with the CoC? If so, how did it help your business?
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I was registered in Florida before moving to NC and I met many people, got food and drink, and had privy to all the new businesses in the area that also joined the chamber, plus we had get togethers with other chambers in other towns. But it was not free - I checked it out here in NC but they want even more and the cost for just a signing agent to pay is prohibitive unless you have more than one thing that you do and have the time to socialize alot. It however, did not help my notary business but did help my accounting and income tax business.
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Thanks for the insight. I’m seriously considering joining my local CoC as part of my marketing strategy for my Tax Business.
I joined the Chamber this year. It hasn’t helped my notary business at all. I thought it would be a great idea. I got a list of all the real estate agencies in the chamber and emailed them. None of them know how to use me. Even after I explained how they could put me in their contracts, they didn’t bite. I haven’t gone to any gatherings. Maybe COVID is changing that? In hindsight, it did seem like a good idea in theory… But, ultimately no-one cares haha. Similar to my expensive university degree. It’s not relevant to my business.
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Yeah, I joined my Chamber of Commerce and got absolutely nothing out of it. I volunteered to be a speaker (I’m very experienced) and never even heard back other than the president of the chamber said he got my email. Local realtors seem kinda oblivious to notaries, I’ve also found. Gotta keep after them, I guess.
I’ve also attended mixers and everybody is selling to everybody. No leads can be had there, I’m afraid. I was warned this would happen. Maybe some Chambers are worth the bother, but I quit mine after two years (I joined when I had another company) and I don’t feel any the worse for it. Put your time elsewhere.
I get the University Degree situation. Mine are in Engineering and Physics. Did my post grad work in Applied Electromagnetics and later BioPhysics. After I retired from ‘Corporate America’ I took a year off to figure out what my next step would and started closing loans to keep busy. This evolved from a hobby to a business that now includes Federal Taxes and Small Business Consulting. I tell some of my Tax Clients they’re getting their taxes done by a Rocket Scientist. 
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My direct experience with the local Chamber of Commerce [CoC] mirrors the scenarios shared above.
It’s very expensive to join and ‘attend’ the CoC ‘seminars’ & mixers as there is a fee associated with all activities. True, you receive food and a beverage (non-alcoholic). I did consult with the Director of the CoC to ask how it was that they ‘helped’ small businesses & why there were such high fees. I was advised that is how they generate revenue. I asked if there was a more reasonably priced program with the CoC, but there wasn’t one. I did learn about new businesses in my area that joined the CoC.
The monthly cost is prohibitive for this business sector, unless you own & operate multiple businesses (other than notary/certified notary signing agent [CNSA] business entities). You’ll also need to dedicate a large chunk of your time to socialize & mingle. So, being an extravert is beneficial. I discovered that everyone was marketing and not interested in buying or partnering, etc. It was like speed-dating with all attendees only interested in the amount of your income . . . no genuine interest or community creating. 
I requested a listing of title companies & real estate agencies that were members of the CoC. I sent professionally created concise, attractive informational introductory packages to each via USPS (identifying the benefits for them & their schedule). The result? No replies at all . . . I was a member for over 2 years and proved to be NOT financially lucrative for my CNSA business. Live & Learn.
I’d recommend investigating your local CoC to determine how their revenue is generated and attending a few events to chat with current CoC members to ask about their results & the actual benefits. Results may differ, of course, contingent upon your region or location in the US. Wishing you the best in your decision. 
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I’m looking into my local chapter to assess if membership is worth the investment.
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@RiverpointeTax The local CPAs & Tax Service business owners found the CoC to be an EXCELLENT use of their time & funds. 
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My chamber has done wonderful things for my business
What type of things did they do?
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So I’ve been apart of my chamber for 5 months. Every Friday there is a networking event. My chamber has a lot of Realtors, insurance brokers, banks, small businesses (from health care to junk removal) ans many senior homes and social service sectors.
I paid $300 for my annual membership. I’ve effectively established myself as the notary for the senior homes, the local newspaper, and many realtors and legal offices.
Recently I decided to be an ambassador for the chamber, as well as a referral partner to the chambers business resource center.
I believe you get out of it what you put in. Network, network, network.
Before joining, make sure you find out if there are any other notaries? What are the businesses who are members? You can find this out on their website.
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