Networking Made Simple: How to Effectively Network for Your NGO

By Taylor Kelly

M.A. Candidate 2019

For a long time, the NGO and non-profit sector was divided from the for-profit sector in terms of management practices. But today, they are moving closer together.

For example, organizations in both sectors now often have internal structures that are similar, including board members, presidents, financial advisors, in-house lawyers, marketing teams, etc.

Another example is that both assess accountability in the same way, using financial and other types of reports as well as yearly audits; the NGO sector has been adopting results-based accountability and levels of management professionalism that parallels the private sector.

Since both sectors are operated in a similar fashion, they can use the same professional tools to market and grow their businesses. With this notion, we can apply networking practices used by the for-profit sector to develop NGOs. Listed below are eleven tips that are useful both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, compiled from several valuable sources that are listed below.

12 tips on how to network:

1. Get into the mindset! Know what your goal is;

2. Prepare a brief “elevator speech” that includes the name of your NGO, the purpose of your NGO, and why your target audience should be interested;

3. Always carry business cards!

4. Dress to impress: make sure you look like someone who your target needs to talk to;

5. Attend conferences, networking events, and conventions to gain more networking opportunities (or throw one yourself);

6. When you go to these events, have a plan: look at who is attending and decide who are the key people or organizations to target;

7. Go to the receptions at these events; the work isn’t done at the end of the business session;

8. Be more interested, than interesting: Focus on listening before asking for something;

9. Follow up, follow up, follow up;

10. Ask and secure a second meeting;

11. Stay in touch with your already made connections;

12. Incorporate social media into your networking plan.

A disclaimer when using these tips: it is important to remember who your audience is.  Even though the non-profit sector is similar to the for-profit sector in this regard, the target organizations and people can be different. Therefore, it is pertinent to evaluate and make a plan that is tailored to the NGO sector. But in general, each of these tips are geared towards putting your NGO and you out in the networking community, and thus will assist you in successful networking.

Sources:

• https://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-emerson/tips-to-network-like-a-pr_b_6167598.html

• http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6420-entrepreneur-networking-tips.html

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2014/08/21/6-ways-to-network-more-effectively/#148339e2648e

• https://www.thebalance.com/better-small-business-networking-2951705

Photo: Ted X Monterey via Flickr