Chamber Networking Fire Starter Guide
The Chamber Event Is The Spark—Here’s How to Build a ROARing Fire That Fuels Your Business
By Jason Tracey
Picture this:
You’re standing in front of a fire pit.
You’ve got some dry twigs, a lighter, and high hopes.
You strike the flame… a little flicker… then… nothing.
You shrug and say,
“Well, bonfires just don’t work.”
Sounds ridiculous, right?
But that’s exactly how I hear people talk about networking events.
“I tried the Chamber once. Nothing came from it.”
“I showed up, handed out some cards, and got nothing out of it.”
“Networking just isn’t my thing.”
“It’s too hard in my industry to stand out.”
Here’s the truth they’re missing:
The event isn’t the fire. It’s the spark.
What you do next?
That’s what determines whether it fizzles out… or becomes the flame that fuels your business.
Patience Builds the Fire—But Accelerants Make It ROAR
Building relationships is a lot like building a bonfire.
You need time.
You need intention.
You need to stack the logs, give it space, and let trust catch flame.
But let’s be real—if you’ve ever tried to build a fire with nothing but twigs and hope, you know what happens next.
You wait.
You blow.
You cross your fingers.
And then you go home cold.
Sometimes, you need accelerant.
Something to take that spark from the room… and turn it into a blaze of opportunity.
If you’re tired of walking out of events and hoping your phone blows up…
If you’ve been showing up, but nothing’s catching…
It’s time to take control of your follow-through.
These next few accelerants?
They’re how you go from “just another event” to building a business bonfire that ROARS.
Let’s go!
Accelerant #1: Compelling Conversations
Can you relate to that moment of anxiety or awkwardness when someone asks the inevitable question:
“So, what do you do?”
We all know it’s coming—at every Chamber event, every networking meeting, every social mixer—and yet so many of us show up totally unprepared to answer it in a compelling way.
It’s like the definition of insanity.
We keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
We know we’ll be asked, and we still wing it.
Here’s what I’ve seen—both in myself over the years and in countless others:
The Feature-Flooder: We spew a laundry list of features and benefits with no end in sight… until the poor soul across from us starts scanning for the exit, like it’s Coyote Ugly and they need to chew off their arm to get free.
The Vague Ghost: We keep it short and sweet—but forgettable. “I’m a business coach.” “I sell real estate.” “I’m in insurance.” Cool. So is half the room.
The Elevator Pitcher: We go full “Giggity Giggity” with our polished pitch, dollar signs in our eyes, sounding like we’re auditioning for Shark Tank. It’s professional… but robotic. It lacks soul.
None of it lands. None of it connects.
Here’s the fix:
Stop being unclear. Ditch the elevator pitch. And start remembering why you love what you do.
Seriously—why did you start this business?
Who is one of your favorite clients?
What difference do you make in their life?
What do you love most about the way you serve?
Now—tell that story.
Because the biggest mistake people make in rooms like this?
They talk about what they do… but never why it matters.
I’ve sat across from Difference Makers who were afraid to lead with their heart. But once they open up and share the real reason they show up every day?
That’s when people lean in.
I’ve heard stories like:
A business owner who watched his parents get crushed by junk fees—and now fights to protect small businesses from the same fate.
A caregiver who got sick of watching people treated like a checklist—and built a company where clients feel like family.
A real estate agent who doesn’t just sell homes—she helps people believe in what’s possible.
A father and son who started a remodeling company not just to build houses—but to rebuild their relationship and leave a legacy.
These stories aren’t perfect.
They’re real. They’re human. And they make people care.
That’s what makes you memorable.
That’s what builds trust—before a single transaction.
And that’s the accelerant that makes conversations catch fire.
Accelerant #2: Show Up With an Outward Mindset
Most people walk into a networking event thinking:
“Who can help me?”
“How do I pitch what I do?”
“How many leads can I land tonight?”
And let me be clear—there’s no shame in that.
That doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human.
We’re wired to think about our own needs first.
So when you walk into a room full of people all thinking the same thing, what happens?
Everyone’s talking… but no one’s listening.
Here’s the cheat code:
If you master the art of being genuinely curious—
Networking stops being scary.
It starts feeling like Jedi Mind Tricks.
I’m not saying that because I read it in a book.
I’m saying that as a guy who once sat in my car outside a Chamber event—nervous, sweating, watching the clock tick—and finally drove away because I just couldn’t do it.
My second attempt? I made it inside… but barely spoke to anyone.
I certainly didn’t make an impression.
Fast forward to today?
I've built my entire business—and my podcast—on the back of the relationships I’ve made from Chamber events and community networking.
The difference?
I stopped trying to be interesting. I started being interested.
Here’s the shift:
Go into the room asking:
“Who can I connect them with?”
“How can I serve them?”
“What can I learn from them?”
You’ll be amazed at what happens when you make someone feel seen, felt, and heard.
Because that?
That’s not just a business trick. That’s a human need.
The wild part is—we all say we care about others. We say we’re people-first.
But here’s the challenge:
How present are you really when you're in conversation?
Are you listening… or waiting for your turn to talk?
Are you focused on what they’re saying…
…or already rehearsing your response?
This is exactly why most people say they’re “bad with names.”
Not because their memory is broken—
But because when the other person says their name, they’re already thinking about what to say next.
Want a better way to remember names?
Actually listen.
A great example of the power of presence comes from a friend of mine.
Her mom had dementia. And for the longest time, she and her dad couldn’t leave her alone—not even with professional caregivers—because her mom would get scared and confused.
Until one day, they found the caregiver.
She didn’t check her phone.
She didn’t rush through a task list.
She sat. She listened. She laughed. She cared.
She showed up fully.
And even though my friend’s mom couldn’t remember her name, or who she is, she cried happy tears every time that caregiver walked through the door.
Why?
Because she felt safe.
She felt loved.
She felt seen.
That’s what presence looks like.
That’s what true service does.
And that’s what we can bring into every single room we walk into.
Accelerant #3: Social Content That Tells Your Story
Can you grow your business just using social media?
Yes—absolutely.
But here’s the truth most don’t want to admit:
Most entrepreneurs aren’t using it to grow.
They’re hiding behind it.
Because going to events, shaking hands, and making follow-up calls?
That’s harder. It’s vulnerable. It’s real.
So we hide behind curated posts, quote graphics, and the occasional humblebrag—then wonder why we’re not seeing results.
Let’s shift that perspective.
Social media isn’t the fire—it’s the accelerant.
It’s one of the most powerful tools in your business toolbox when you use it with intention.
Think of it like your living, breathing portfolio.
A digital campfire where your brand tells stories that warm people up to who you are and why you care.
Because here’s one of the toughest parts about sales and business development:
Becoming human in the eyes of your audience.
Most people don’t know who you are.
And they definitely don’t know why they should care.
But when your social presence reflects your story—your real story—
That’s when people start to listen.
They don’t just see what you sell.
They start to feel why you show up.
Here’s the biggest mistake I see:
They go quiet.
They show up to the event… maybe even make a good impression…
And then? Crickets.
Here’s the truth:
You don’t need to post every day.
You don’t need to be an influencer.
You just need to post with purpose.
Tell us:
What lights you up about your work
Stories about the people you’ve helped or what your team is proud of
Why you started this business in the first place
Who you’re here to serve—and how you do it differently
This is content with soul.
It’s fuel for the fire.
And it works while you sleep, while you work, and while you live your life.
It keeps the spark alive long after the handshake.
It builds Know-Like-Trust with the people who matter most.
And when it’s done right? It makes those follow-up conversations easier, warmer, and way more likely to lead to opportunity.
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Now, let’s take a moment and zoom out. Look at what you’ve built so far:
You showed up to the event (spark lit)
You shared a compelling story that made people lean in
You asked great questions and discovered who you want to know better
You followed up by connecting with those people on your social platform(s) of choice
You’ve started sharing your story online to keep the fire going
Nod with me if you're starting to see how this completely disrupts your old approach—in the best possible way.
You’re not just going to events anymore.
You’re building a fire.
And now?
Let’s throw Accelerant #4 on this baby… and watch it explode.
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Accelerant #4: Take Action & Follow Up (The Step Most People Skip)
You lit the spark.
You had the conversation.
You made a connection.
And then…
you did nothing.
Hey—I’m not here to guilt-trip you.
I’m here to tell the truth.
Because this is where most people drop the ball.
They go to the event.
They smile, shake hands, maybe even exchange cards…
Then they wait.
Wait for the other person to reach out.
Wait for something to “naturally” happen.
Wait for the Chamber, or the networking group, or the universe to do the heavy lifting.
But fire doesn’t just build itself.
Action is the oxygen. Follow-up is the fuel.
Let me break it down simply:
Intentions are nice.
But intentions without action?
That’s just a spark dying in the wind.
Have you ever been at a funeral or family reunion, standing next to someone you love and saying:
“We really should get together sometime—not under these circumstances.”
You both nod. You both mean it.
But then you don’t.
You don’t follow up.
You don’t pull out your calendar.
You don’t make it real.
And the next time you see them?
You say the same exact thing—again.
It’s the same thing that happens in business.
You meet someone incredible at a Chamber event.
You feel aligned. You know you should connect.
You say, “We should grab coffee.”
Then life hits.
You get busy. They get busy.
And next month, you’re back at the same event, locking eyes across the room, both silently thinking…
“Dang… I never followed up.”
That’s how opportunities die.
That’s how fires go cold.
So how do we fix it?
Here’s Your Follow-Up Framework:
1. Set the Intention Before You Walk In
Go in knowing what you want besides clients (because of course we want clients):
Strategic collaborators
Mentors
Referral partners
New friendships
A chance to learn something powerful
When you get clear on your desired outcomes, it’s easier to recognize the right people to follow up with.
2. Identify Who Lit You Up
Not everyone you meet is your person. That’s okay.
But who made you lean in? Who made you curious?
That’s who you follow up with.
3. Take Immediate Action
Not “sometime.” Not “next week.”
Right now.
Send the message. Pull out your phone. Connect on LinkedIn or Facebook in the moment.
Then book the coffee.
Or the Zoom.
Or the site visit.
Whatever feels right.
4. Build a Real Relationship (aka a Trust Builder)
This next meeting? It’s not a pitch.
It’s a chance to go deeper.
Ask better questions. Learn about their journey. Figure out where your stories intersect.
Sometimes it leads to a sale.
Other times, it leads to something better: a referral, a collaboration, a lifelong friend.
But it only happens if you show up again
You want to stand out in a sea of business cards?
Be the one who actually follows through.
Everyone says they’ll follow up.
You be the one who does.
Because once you do that—once you’ve shown up with fire, story, curiosity, presence, and now action—you’re not just networking.
You’re building a bonfire.
And this one?
It doesn’t flicker.
It ROARS.
Final Thought: You Are the Firestarter
Here’s where we get it twisted:
We walk into the room expecting to find the fire.
But that’s not how it works.
You are the firestarter.
It’s your energy.
Your story.
Your intention.
Your presence.
That’s what sparks the connection.
That’s what builds the flame.
That’s what fuels the fire.
So the next time you show up to a Chamber event, a networking breakfast, or any room full of strangers and possibilities—remember this:
The spark happens the moment you say hello.
The flame builds when you show up curious, lead with story, and make people feel seen.
The fire roars when you follow up, serve with intention, and stay consistent.
And the accelerants?
They’re in your hands.
-Compelling conversations
-Outward mindset
-Story-driven social content
-Meaningful follow-up
-Human connection built on trust
If you want to grow your business, your brand, and your impact…
You don’t need more tactics.
You need to build better fires.
Let’s make this the year you stop chasing sparks—and start building a bonfire that lights up your entire business.
You in?
Quick Note to Owners & Leaders
If you read this and thought, “Yeah, but I’m not the one out at events,”—that’s okay.
But someone on your team is… or should be.
Share this with them.
Your business can’t afford to blend in at the next networking event. Whether it’s your sales rep, community liaison, or the new hire you just onboarded—make sure they understand your company’s story, and how to build relationships that actually catch fire.
Because your brand’s story doesn’t live in your brochure—it lives in the conversations your people are having out in the world.
