An absolutely fundamental aspect of nonprofit success is building networks. I learned this firsthand when I co-founded the company nonprofit youth development organization after playing skilled baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization.
But don’t take it just from me: 88% of nonprofit leaders agree that partnership and cooperation are essential to achieving their mission.
The first step to networking is to be in the same room with individuals who can support you in your mission.
For many entrepreneurs, this often means first establishing contacts in the local people. This may mean joining a local group of small business owners, becoming a member of your local chamber of commerce, or connecting with like-minded organizations. It’s necessary to get to know the key players in your community.
Once you are in the same room as other influential leaders in your community, the real networking begins.
So, in keeping with my baseball roots, here are 4 tips for scoring networking points:
First base: create a mission that folks can feel
Your first goal when it comes to networking is to give people a sense of what your mission is and what you wish your nonprofit to accomplish. We have a saying in the Black community: “can you feel me”? When we ask this, we don’t need to check if anyone is listening. Can you FEEL me, my passion and what I’m trying to achieve? The sooner you may get people to actually FEEL you, the sooner you may make an impact.
It’s necessary that before you walk into a room with an influential person, you learn a little about their goals, objectives, and passions. This may mean reaching out to each other for more details, checking them out on social media, or searching their website for more information. Understanding where other people are coming from will make it easier to connect on an emotional level in a way which you could truly feel.
Second base: Create a vision that folks can see
Getting another person to really see your vision may be difficult. The first step is to turn into absolutely clear on this vision. Then you’ll have to really paint a picture with words – using descriptive words to tell stories and share examples of what you imagine.
For example, my vision is to create a baseball field in the middle of a poverty-stricken area of Atlanta, with the stunning Atlanta skyline in the background. My vision is for disenfranchised black children who can go to the ballpark because it is conveniently positioned in their community (removing the geographic barrier to opportunity), and who, once there, can play with inspiration from Fortune 500 firms and inspiring skyscrapers in the background. If these kids can hit a home run and lead in Atlanta, they will lead the world.
Think of something tangible you desire to to achieve – and tell people about it in a way they’ll understand and also see.
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Third Base: Create an impact that folks will hear
If you’ve got made it to third base, you’ve got established a partnership, creating each an emotional bond and a shared vision. If you have done this appropriately, then the person you are connecting with will want to LISTEN more. This means they’ll start asking you questions about your mission, your passions, and how you propose to achieve your vision.
In a networking situation, you wish to be prepared for these questions. You need to know the cost, timeline and what variety of support you will want to achieve your goal. When someone asks you, “How can I help,” never let the answer be, “I don’t know.”
Motherboard: Make daring guarantees that get your feet moving
Remember that usually individuals who have vision and ambition do not at all times see every little thing. We all know that one that has a number of modern ideas but never seems to follow through on them. Don’t be that person. Instead, get involved.
Make daring guarantees and clearly define next steps. Set a date and time when people can expect further information from you.
Follow these steps and you may be rounding out the basics in no time. You never know who you’ll come into contact with and who may have the power to truly add value to your nonprofit; by spreading the word, introducing yourself, lending your expertise, or in many other ways. Networking may even make it easier to higher understand the need for your services in the community you serve and increase the level of labor you wish to do.