Chamber of Commerce vs. Referral Networking Group: Which Should You Join?

The short answer: a chamber of commerce connects you to the whole local business community; a referral networking group connects you to a small team who send each other customers every week. A chamber is wide and occasional. A referral group is narrow and weekly. Many business owners belong to both, and they do different jobs.

What a chamber of commerce does

A chamber is a membership organization for local businesses. Most offer:

• Events open to all members: mixers, breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, award dinners
• Visibility: a listing in the chamber directory and on its website
• Advocacy with local government on issues that affect businesses
• Programs such as leadership classes, young professional groups and seminars
• Credibility with customers who look for chamber members

Membership is usually priced by the size of your business. You can attend as much or as little as you like, and several people in your line of work may belong.

What a referral networking group does

A referral group is a small group, often 10 to 40 people, who meet every week or two to pass each other qualified referrals. Most share a few rules:

• One member per business category, so the people in the room are referring to you, not to your competitor. See one member per category.
• A regular meeting with a set agenda and a short introduction from each member. See how to run a weekly networking meeting.
• Attendance that counts, because referrals come from people who know you. See attendance policies.
• Referrals and closed business tracked and reported back to the group.

It asks more of your time, and it is built to produce a steady flow of warm introductions. See how referral networking grows a small business.

Side by side

• Size: a chamber has hundreds of members; a referral group has a few dozen at most.
• How often you meet: a chamber has events when you choose to go; a referral group meets weekly or every other week.
• Competitors in the room: common at a chamber; usually not allowed in a referral group.
• What you get: a chamber gives visibility, community and advocacy; a referral group gives introductions to people who need what you sell.
• What it asks: a chamber asks for dues and as much time as you want to give; a referral group asks for dues, a weekly meeting, and giving referrals yourself.

Which one fits

Choose a chamber first if you are new to the area, sell to other businesses across many industries, or want a voice in local issues.

Choose a referral group first if most of your work comes from word of mouth, you can commit to a weekly meeting, and you want a predictable source of introductions.

Join both if you can. The chamber widens who knows you. The referral group turns a few of those people into regular sources of business. Many referral group members find guests to invite at chamber events.

How to try a referral group

Most referral groups let you visit once or twice as a guest before you apply. Check whether your category is open, go to a meeting, and ask a member what the group has done for their business. See what a qualified referral is so you know what you would be expected to give. Groups that run on Ecoferral are listed on find a chapter.