Business Networking - 12 Top Tips for Charity Fundraisers (and All Networkers!)
1.
Breakfast or Lunch business networking meetings are an excellent way to make contact with potential new supporters and particularly to create awareness about the work of your charity.
In the real world (as well as in the online world!) people matter hugely to charities and non-profits.
2.
Find networking groups in your area, either through searching online or asking your current contacts if they attend such groups.
Once you have found suitable groups, join them and attend regularly to get the most out of your membership.
3.
Business cards are an essential tool for all networkers as long as you do hand them out, not just at these network meetings but wherever you meet potential supporters.
If your charity has not provided you with any yet, arrange to have some printed.
You may find a local printer in your area that is happy to do cards for charities at a discounted price.
4.
Networking meetings generally have half an hour or so where coffee and tea are offered, usually as people arrive.
Use this time to talk to others who are there.
Networkers expect others to chat to them, so this is not an occasion to be shy! It is perfectly acceptable to introduce yourself to everyone there.
This is a chance for you to get to know people, and for people to get to know you.
5.
Networking is about making useful professional contacts that can develop as time goes by.
As with charity fundraising, networking is all about building relationships and not about making an instant sales or promotional pitch 6.
Networking groups usually offer the opportunity for each person to stand up and say a few words about who they are and what they do at each business meeting.
This is a good opportunity for people to associate you with your charity.
7.
When your turn comes to introduce yourself, once you have said who you are and what you do (briefly!), vary what you say each time you attend by introducing short, interesting facts and figures about your charity.
8.
While others are introducing themselves during this session, listen carefully to what others are saying and if it's helpful to you, make notes.
Getting to know others and what they do is a key element of networking.
9.
If at any time you can offer one of the other networkers a new contact name, from your own networks, or give them information that may be useful for their business, they will remember how helpful you are and will be even more willing to help you in return.
10.
Remember that all the networkers in your group have wider networks outside the group.
Their contacts may well be possible supporters.
Ask them if they could refer you to relevant contacts.
11.
Following up is very important - not only on any arrangements or promises you make to your fellow networkers but also on any referrals they may have given you.
Keeping in touch with your new contacts, through an emailed newsletter, is a good way of continuing to build an awareness of your charity.
12.
Networking is about cooperative working - you help others and others will help you! Networking is never an instant solution to finding new supporters, but it is a great tool for helping to develop relationships that will benefit your charity.
Breakfast or Lunch business networking meetings are an excellent way to make contact with potential new supporters and particularly to create awareness about the work of your charity.
In the real world (as well as in the online world!) people matter hugely to charities and non-profits.
2.
Find networking groups in your area, either through searching online or asking your current contacts if they attend such groups.
Once you have found suitable groups, join them and attend regularly to get the most out of your membership.
3.
Business cards are an essential tool for all networkers as long as you do hand them out, not just at these network meetings but wherever you meet potential supporters.
If your charity has not provided you with any yet, arrange to have some printed.
You may find a local printer in your area that is happy to do cards for charities at a discounted price.
4.
Networking meetings generally have half an hour or so where coffee and tea are offered, usually as people arrive.
Use this time to talk to others who are there.
Networkers expect others to chat to them, so this is not an occasion to be shy! It is perfectly acceptable to introduce yourself to everyone there.
This is a chance for you to get to know people, and for people to get to know you.
5.
Networking is about making useful professional contacts that can develop as time goes by.
As with charity fundraising, networking is all about building relationships and not about making an instant sales or promotional pitch 6.
Networking groups usually offer the opportunity for each person to stand up and say a few words about who they are and what they do at each business meeting.
This is a good opportunity for people to associate you with your charity.
7.
When your turn comes to introduce yourself, once you have said who you are and what you do (briefly!), vary what you say each time you attend by introducing short, interesting facts and figures about your charity.
8.
While others are introducing themselves during this session, listen carefully to what others are saying and if it's helpful to you, make notes.
Getting to know others and what they do is a key element of networking.
9.
If at any time you can offer one of the other networkers a new contact name, from your own networks, or give them information that may be useful for their business, they will remember how helpful you are and will be even more willing to help you in return.
10.
Remember that all the networkers in your group have wider networks outside the group.
Their contacts may well be possible supporters.
Ask them if they could refer you to relevant contacts.
11.
Following up is very important - not only on any arrangements or promises you make to your fellow networkers but also on any referrals they may have given you.
Keeping in touch with your new contacts, through an emailed newsletter, is a good way of continuing to build an awareness of your charity.
12.
Networking is about cooperative working - you help others and others will help you! Networking is never an instant solution to finding new supporters, but it is a great tool for helping to develop relationships that will benefit your charity.
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