Use this Badge on Your Website
For chambers of commerce, which for years have built their memberships by providing networking opportunities and business training, social media is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it makes networking easier, providing additional tools for the chamber to connect with its membership. On the other hand, those same tools enable potential members to make those connections on their own—without the chamber—much more easily than they could have just five or ten years ago.
When used correctly, social media can make membership in the chamber of commerce even more attractive to area businessmen. What’s the trick to making this happen? According to Frank J. Kenny, a social media expert who frequently speaks to chambers and their members, the chamber’s social media efforts must be primarily about the members, not about the chamber itself. This makes members feel valued, and shows that the organization cares about their success.
To determine the most social media friendly chambers of commerce in the U.S., the staff at OnlineMBApage.com, didn’t evaluate the content of the messages being put out. That would have been much too time-consuming. Instead, we relied on numbers. We searched the most popular social media sites and recorded the number of followers, likes, pins, etc. for around 550 chambers of commerce that met our minimum requirements for consideration.
The formula we used to compute the final scores was designed to give the most weight to the social media platforms that were most frequently used by the chambers on our list. There were 100 points possible, with 27 for Facebook, 26 for Twitter, 21 for LinkedIn, 19 for YouTube, and a total of 7 points for Flickr, Google Plus, and Pinterest.
If your chamber made the list, feel free to use the top 100 badge on your website or any of your social media accounts, and let the country and your members know about this wonderful accomplishment.
#1) US Chamber of Commerce – Washington, DC
Overall Score
99.8
As the largest business organization—not just in the U.S., but in the world—it’s not much of a surprise to see the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the top of the social media friendly list. With a membership list of more than three million, the U.S. Chamber represents the interests of small and large businesses alike in Washington, D.C.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
1
Facebook
27.0
325,716 likes, 6,204 talking about, 6,312 were here
1
Twitter
26.0
102,127 followers, 7,810 tweets
1
YouTube
19.0
748,817 views, 550 subscribers, 738 videos
1
LinkedIn
21.0
3,685 followers, 3,447 group members
2
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.8
126 Google +1′s, 1,069 followers on Pinterest, 4,307 Flickr photos
#2) Greater Oklahoma City Chamber – Oklahoma City, OK
Overall Score
90.9
Following the devastating tornado that killed at least 51 people on Monday, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber posted instructions for people to text “Red Cross” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to help with recovery efforts.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
44
Facebook
23.1
6,992 likes, 440 talking about, 97 were here
44
Twitter
23.8
9,000 followers, 2,034 tweets
3
YouTube
18.3
504,710 views, 619 subscribers, 110 videos
88
LinkedIn
18.8
848 followers
3
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.8
192 Google +1′s, 97 followers on Pinterest, 25 Flickr photos
#3) Dallas Regional Chamber – Dallas, TX
Overall Score
90.8
The Young Professionals program offered by the Dallas Regional Chamber is a rolling, twelve-month program that features educational breakfasts, CEO luncheons, volunteer projects, and more for emerging business leaders between the ages of 25 and 40.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
24
Facebook
24.0
1,975 likes, 174 talking about, 175 were here
21
Twitter
24.2
5,268 followers, 5,689 tweets
27
YouTube
17.0
11,781 views, 61 subscribers, 98 videos
50
LinkedIn
19.1
410 followers, 941 group members
10
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.6
65 Google +1′s, 136 followers on Pinterest, 2,676 Flickr photos
#4) Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce – Las Vegas, NV
Overall Score
90.4
The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce is pushing the Clark County Board of School Trustees to search far and wide for the next district superintendent rather than looking only at local candidates in order to find the best possible candidate.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
13
Facebook
24.1
3,604 likes, 144 talking about, 600 were here
8
Twitter
24.6
12,403 followers, 5,027 tweets
40
YouTube
16.9
11,894 views, 46 subscribers, 49 videos
59
LinkedIn
19.0
863 followers, 264 group members
26
Google Plus, Flickr
5.8
175 Google +1′s, 2,361 Flickr photos
#5) Knoxville Chamber – Knoxville, TN
Overall Score
89.3
Upcoming sessions of the Bright Ideas professional development series at the Knoxville Chamber include “Fundamentals of Strategic Planning” and “How to Attract, Retain, and Reward ‘A’ Team Employees.” The cost of admission includes lunch.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
52
Facebook
22.6
2,213 likes, 186 talking about, 92 were here
57
Twitter
23.7
5,343 followers, 2,681 tweets
13
YouTube
17.2
29,859 views, 83 subscribers, 171 videos
48
LinkedIn
19.1
432 followers, 984 group members
8
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.6
113 Google +1′s, 205 followers on Pinterest, 200 Flickr photos
#6) Charlotte Chamber of Commerce – Charlotte, NC
Overall Score
89.2
The Member-to-Member series features events hosted by fellow Charlotte Chamber members. Upcoming events include “Affordable Health Care Act Seminar,” “Re:Imagine/Re.Focus/Re.Boot Conversations for Women,” and “Hike N Soak,” a 1.5-hour hike followed by a 2-hour hot tub soak.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
92
Facebook
21.2
3,302 likes, 43 talking about, 323 were here
12
Twitter
24.4
10,415 followers, 4,997 tweets
4
YouTube
17.8
66,243 views, 121 subscribers, 410 videos
5
LinkedIn
20.0
1,508 followers, 2,009 group members
28
Google Plus, Pinterest
5.7
158 Google +1′s, 106 followers on Pinterest
#7) Greater Memphis Chamber – Memphis, TN
Overall Score
88.5
The Greater Memphis Chamber offers a luncheon series called “A Conversation With…” that features guest speakers who impact the local business community. Past guests have included Dr. Jack Truong, President and CEO of Electrolux; Memphis Mayor, A. C. Wharton, Jr.; and Michael Heisley, owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
82
Facebook
21.6
1,593 likes, 134 talking about, 70 were here
9
Twitter
24.5
6,463 followers, 6,543 tweets
61
YouTube
15.8
6,846 views, 31 subscribers, 59 videos
15
LinkedIn
19.6
543 followers, 2,077 group members
1
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
7.0
317 Google +1′s, 142 followers on Pinterest, 202 Flickr photos
#8) Greater Omaha Chamber – Omaha, NE
Overall Score
87.8
Exhibiting at the Buy the Big O! Show allows you to connect with more than 5,000 business professionals for as little as $625. The show exists to help business owners establish new business relationships and develop leads to build their businesses.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
37
Facebook
23.3
1,969 likes, 101 talking about, 311 were here
52
Twitter
23.7
5,401 followers, 2,832 tweets
37
YouTube
16.9
10,577 views, 40 subscribers, 67 videos
34
LinkedIn
19.2
217 followers, 1,478 group members
83
Pinterest
4.6
157 followers on Pinterest
#9) Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce – San Antonio, TX
Overall Score
87.2
Leads Explosion is like speed dating for businesspeople. You have two minutes to introduce yourself to a small group of people, and when the gong sounds, you start all over in another group.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
40
Facebook
23.2
3,873 likes, 96 talking about, 258 were here
41
Twitter
23.9
9,223 followers, 2,124 tweets
51
YouTube
16.5
16,428 views, 13 subscribers, 81 videos
18
LinkedIn
19.6
543 followers, 1,982 group members
137
Google Plus
4.1
45 Google +1′s
#10) Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce – Springfield, MO
Overall Score
86.9
As part of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partnership for Sustainability, business owners can sign a pledge to assess their organization’s impact on the environment, take action to embrace policies that support sustainability, and help the initiative grow by sharing their progress and the lessons they learn along the way.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
25
Facebook
23.9
1,735 likes, 129 talking about, 166 were here
60
Twitter
23.7
4,122 followers, 3,019 tweets
102
YouTube
13.8
4,026 views, 24 subscribers, 24 videos
20
LinkedIn
19.5
561 followers, 1,853 group members
24
Google Plus, Pinterest
5.9
238 Google +1′s, 134 followers on Pinterest
#11) Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce – Nashville, TN
Overall Score
86.6
Monthly events include the Chamber East and Chamber West networking coffees, an interactive media meet-up focusing on the use of mobile and web technology, and a social enterprise shared interest group.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
175
Facebook
19.3
2,964 likes, 34 talking about, 87 were here
7
Twitter
24.8
11,466 followers, 6,630 tweets
8
YouTube
17.3
26,773 views, 83 subscribers, 219 videos
14
LinkedIn
19.6
1,422 followers, 1,271 group members
35
Google Plus, Flickr
5.6
80 Google +1′s, 7,244 Flickr photos
#12) Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce – Phoenix, AZ
Overall Score
86.5
Upcoming workshops include “How to do Business with the State of Arizona” by Jean A. Clark and Jennifer Woods, “Having It All…Making Time for What Matters” by Nicole Stanton, and “10 Ways to Maximize Your Marketing Budget” by Scott Harkey.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
28
Facebook
23.7
1,704 likes, 136 talking about, 134 were here
46
Twitter
23.8
6,139 followers, 2,917 tweets
18
YouTube
17.1
17,170 views, 60 subscribers, 151 videos
84
LinkedIn
18.9
391 followers, 482 group members
192
Google Plus
3.0
23 Google +1′s
#13) Oceanside Chamber of Commerce – Oceanside, CA
Overall Score
85.9
During September, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce presents Harbor Days, a two-day festival featuring arts and crafts, a Pirate’s Cove, and fun family activities. The event is free to the public.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
60
Facebook
22.3
4,424 likes, 322 talking about, 74 were here
38
Twitter
23.9
2,953 followers, 4,559 tweets
9
YouTube
17.3
23,174 views, 42 subscribers, 240 videos
195
LinkedIn
15.7
167 followers, 143 group members
7
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.7
128 Google +1′s, 59 followers on Pinterest, 1,137 Flickr photos
#14) Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce – Allentown, PA
Overall Score
85.5
The full-day Lehigh Valley Women’s Summit will feature actress Kathy Najimy. Best known for her work in the Sister Act movies, Kathy is a supporter of women’s rights and provides inspiration for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
150
Facebook
19.9
5,550 likes, 103 talking about, 8 were here
74
Twitter
23.5
2,697 followers, 2,751 tweets
31
YouTube
17.0
11,578 views, 31 subscribers, 108 videos
8
LinkedIn
19.9
572 followers, 2,698 group members
59
Google Plus, Flickr
5.2
32 Google +1′s, 314 Flickr photos
#15) Salt Lake Chamber – Salt Lake City, UT
Overall Score
85.3
The Great Salt Lake Business Expo is an annual event that got its start in 1987 as a five-hour after-hours trade show. This year’s expo was a two-day event with around 6,000 attendees. The keynote speaker was Dan Clark.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
203
Facebook
18.7
1,895 likes, 49 talking about, 48 were here
42
Twitter
23.8
3,979 followers, 3,940 tweets
17
YouTube
17.2
13,584 views, 65 subscribers, 167 videos
42
LinkedIn
19.1
275 followers, 1,243 group members
12
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.5
36 Google +1′s, 38 followers on Pinterest, 9,480 Flickr photos
#16) Grand Rapids Area Chamber – Grand Rapids, MI
Overall Score
85.3
At the Grand Rapids Area Chamber’s Chef’s Table events, not only do you get to share a meal while making connections with other local businesspeople, but you prepare the meal yourself. One of Grand Rapids’ finest chefs will guide you as you learn new culinary skills and meet new people at the same time.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
91
Facebook
21.2
5,218 likes, 99 talking about, 61 were here
13
Twitter
24.4
4,502 followers, 7,108 tweets
16
YouTube
17.2
24,967 views, 41 subscribers, 180 videos
41
LinkedIn
19.1
580 followers, 962 group members
174
Flickr
3.4
200 Flickr photos
#17) Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce – Asheville, NC
Overall Score
84.9
The Asheville Area Chamber’s community event calendar features several events hosted by the Billy Graham Training Center, such as “Pastor’s Institute: True Spirituality: How to Move Your People from ‘In’ to ‘All In.’” Other events include photo tours and 5k runs.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
106
Facebook
20.9
1,840 likes, 37 talking about, 409 were here
82
Twitter
23.5
4,237 followers, 1,893 tweets
34
YouTube
17.0
13,194 views, 68 subscribers, 79 videos
30
LinkedIn
19.3
408 followers, 1,508 group members
118
Flickr
4.2
2,438 Flickr photos
#18) Austin Chamber of Commerce – Austin, TX
Overall Score
84.7
The Austin Chamber of Commerce offers a brown bag lunch series called “Now Serving” that meets on Fridays. Upcoming topics include Business Planning, Hiring for Small Businesses, Guerilla Marketing, and Avoid the 9 Branding Mistakes that Can Kill Your Business.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
78
Facebook
21.8
2,148 likes, 68 talking about, 132 were here
32
Twitter
24.0
10,803 followers, 2,166 tweets
125
YouTube
13.1
1,895 views, 18 subscribers, 23 videos
4
LinkedIn
20.3
1,353 followers, 2,994 group members
38
Google Plus, Flickr
5.6
66 Google +1′s, 2,343 Flickr photos
#19) Destin Area Chamber of Commerce – Destin, FL
Overall Score
84.3
Start your summer with Destin’s Memorial Day Concert Celebration, followed by Sunday evening fireworks. The fun continues with weekly Rock the Docks concerts every Saturday night and Pardi Gras parades every Tuesday night.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
55
Facebook
22.6
5,642 likes, 142 talking about, 82 were here
80
Twitter
23.5
4,214 followers, 1,915 tweets
77
YouTube
15.2
4,688 views, 17 subscribers, 72 videos
166
LinkedIn
17.5
385 group members
33
Google Plus, Pinterest
5.6
109 Google +1′s, 152 followers on Pinterest
#20) Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Austin, TX
Overall Score
84.1
Established in 1973, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s primary goal is to continue the advancement and progression of a strong and stable economic culture for Hispanic Businesses. The Chamber strives to reach these goals by developing business and management skills and bridging access to financial capital and maintaining our cultural values and integrity.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
46
Facebook
22.9
2,123 likes, 143 talking about, 103 were here
78
Twitter
23.5
2,003 followers, 2,785 tweets
73
YouTube
15.4
5,467 views, 15 subscribers, 87 videos
169
LinkedIn
17.3
375 followers, 3 group members
64
Google Plus
5.0
343 Google +1′s
#21) Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce – Los Angeles, CA
Overall Score
83.5
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce hosts annual events throughout the year, beginning with the Small Business Awards and World Trade Week breakfast in the spring. Other events include Access Sacramento during the summer, the Cash for College Convention in the fall, and the inaugural dinner during the winter.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
76
Facebook
21.8
2,181 likes, 60 talking about, 650 were here
111
Twitter
22.5
12,726 followers, 1,366 tweets
57
YouTube
16.0
7,512 views, 31 subscribers, 58 videos
121
LinkedIn
18.7
598 followers
103
Pinterest, Flickr
4.4
22 followers on Pinterest, 200 Flickr photos
#22) US Green Chamber of Commerce – Newport Beach, CA
Overall Score
82.9
The Cities for Change campaign is a grassroots movement to unite 100,000 businesses in a common cause: to prove that sustainability can be profitable. During the 100 Cities for Change campaign, membership in the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce is reduced to $197 per year.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
310
Facebook
16.3
2,849 likes, 7 talking about, 15 were here
3
Twitter
25.3
26,058 followers, 3,902 tweets
59
YouTube
15.9
12,826 views, 114 subscribers, 24 videos
114
LinkedIn
18.8
119 followers, 517 group members
6
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.7
89 Google +1′s, 323 followers on Pinterest, 37 Flickr photos
#23) Aspen Chamber Resort Association – Aspen, CO
Overall Score
82.8
The Aspen Chamber hosts several special community events throughout the year. The first is WinterskölTM, a “toast to winter” that is held in January. The Food & Wine Classic is held in June, the Aspen Arts Festival in July, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in August. The year ends with 12 Days of Aspen, a festival celebrating the Christmas holiday.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
9
Facebook
24.3
6,283 likes, 375 talking about, 250 were here
14
Twitter
24.3
6,514 followers, 5,879 tweets
50
YouTube
16.6
11,522 views, 34 subscribers, 33 videos
282
LinkedIn
10.9
104 followers
5
Google Plus, Pinterest, Flickr
6.7
5 Google +1′s, 315 followers on Pinterest, 20 Flickr photos
#24) Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – Seattle, WA
Overall Score
82.8
The Toast of Seattle is a networking event that is conducted in three rounds over breakfast. The event is normally held at one of the local restaurants, but the May session was held at the chamber office with boxed breakfasts brought in by Gourmondo Catering.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
187
Facebook
19.1
1,952 likes, 70 talking about, 31 were here
16
Twitter
24.3
8,695 followers, 4,925 tweets
29
YouTube
17.0
20,613 views, 81 subscribers, 77 videos
54
LinkedIn
19.0
533 followers, 791 group members
175
Flickr
3.4
200 Flickr photos
#25) Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce – Fort Mitchell, KY
Overall Score
82.5
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has several educational sessions coming up, including “Effective Workplace Investigations,” “The Fearless Front Line,” and “Leadership: Build a Better Business Owner.”
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
43
Facebook
23.2
1,655 likes, 103 talking about, 167 were here
89
Twitter
23.4
2,128 followers, 2,406 tweets
53
YouTube
16.3
9,148 views, 13 subscribers, 185 videos
17
LinkedIn
19.6
466 followers, 2,083 group members
#26) Sacramento Metro Chamber – Sacramento, CA
Overall Score
82.4
The 16th Annual Consular Corps Luncheon will recognize businesses that have contributed to the growth of the global marketplace. The theme is “Thinking Globally: The Economic Impact of Foreign Investment and Exports.”
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
138
Facebook
20.2
1,926 likes, 21 talking about, 208 were here
51
Twitter
23.7
4,243 followers, 3,299 tweets
74
YouTube
15.3
5,372 views, 21 subscribers, 44 videos
10
LinkedIn
19.7
736 followers, 2,076 group members
176
Flickr
3.4
200 Flickr photos
#27) Manhattan Chamber of Commerce – New York, NY
Overall Score
82.3
In partnership with the Small Business Administration, the Harlem Community Development Corporation is hosting a series of workshops to celebrate Entrepreneurship Development Month. The series includes “Determining and Developing Your Entrepreneurial Potential,” “How to Start a Small Business,” “The Basics of Marketing on a Budget,” and more.
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
329
Facebook
15.9
1,322 likes, 16 talking about, 32 were here
5
Twitter
24.9
3,108 followers, 10,473 tweets
49
YouTube
16.6
9,563 views, 35 subscribers, 58 videos
91
LinkedIn
18.8
266 followers, 560 group members
19
Google Plus, Pinterest
6.0
291 Google +1′s, 26 followers on Pinterest
#28) Loveland Chamber of Commerce – Loveland, CO
Overall Score
82.3
Loveland’s calendar of events includes Memories in the Making, an artistic program for people who have Alzheimer’s, and a Lunch and Learn with Lori Gama. Lori’s topic is “Which social network is right for me?”
Rank
Platform
Points
Stats
178
Facebook
19.2
1,503 likes, 50 talking about, 87 were here
36
Twitter
23.9
5,122 followers, 3,918 tweets
55
YouTube
16.1
7,653 views, 33 subscribers, 79 videos
145
LinkedIn
18.7
171 followers, 301 group members
104
Pinterest, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovelandchamberofcommer