It’s Time for a Network Update

If you feel strongly about a certain cause, chances are you want others to understand and feel the same way you do. But sometimes, others haven’t shown an interest in something because they simply aren’t educated in the subject. That’s why, if you have a strong belief in an organization or their mission, you need to be the one to get out there and make it happen. You’ll feel great knowing that you are not only helping out a mission that you believe in, but also the fact that your networking skills brought the people to a nonprofit you care about.

Back to the Basics
Before the technology we have at our disposal today that help us reach out to others, everyone did it the old fashioned way. There’s just something that can’t quite beat a face-to-face conversation with another person. It’s just more personal than emailing or Facebooking to communicate. If you’re passionate about what you believe in, you’ll have no problem gaining some new contacts by simply striking up a conversation. With small talk usually comes the question, “What do you do?”  Instead of simply telling people about your job, talk to them about what you’re passionate about. It’s likely a more interesting conversation, and you’ll have someone engaged in the nonprofit you believe in.

Partner Up
There are a variety of groups that host fairs where different organizations come to educate people about their mission and how they can get involved. Make sure you use those opportunities to network. Bring visual aids so that participants will remember you. This could include anything from flyers to a fun video that displays the key components of your organization. Whatever you choose, make sure that your information is best displayed to appeal to your audience. That way, you’ll make a variety of new contacts all in one day.

Keep it Within
While you can network on your own, there are also a variety of opportunities to network through your favorite nonprofit that supports a mission you believe in. One of the main goals of a nonprofit is to get out into the community. Because of this, when you’re volunteering somewhere or doing something in the community people are bound to ask you why you’re doing what you’re doing, or what organization you’re a part of. Don’t just give them the organization’s name. Instead, tell them why the mission is so special to you. That has a greater deal of leverage when it comes to making new contacts because hopefully, people will be able to relate to your mission. They may in turn wish to help out through their time or monetary contributions.