What common networking mistakes hurt community organizers?

Not having broadband access in rural communities. Benign neglect of impoverished communities in need of essential basic services.

Communities are defined more by who you exclude vs. who you include. Pandering to the wrong people is the biggest time sink. Be clear on who your community is built for then tailor platform, method and comms exclusively to them.

Common networking mistakes that hurt community organizers include: 1. Failing to listen actively to community members' needs and concerns. 2. Being overly self-promotional instead of focusing on building genuine relationships. 3. Not following up or staying engaged consistently with community members. 4. Ignoring opportunities for collaboration and partnerships within the community. 5. Underestimating the importance of diversity and inclusivity in networking efforts.

If we are just talking about networking the biggest mistake you can make is not following up. Once you make the connections you should schedule a follow up email or lunch to see how you can connect your business, future interests and engage in opportunities. This will help both persons to gain a better understanding of the network connection!

Networks have a life of their own. Organizations must be able to define which aspects of their organizational makeup give life to each network they engage with. Failure to do this will result in a situation where you are either giving less or too much to your network, which ultimately can be hurtful

research not only shows respect and genuine interest but also protects your and your community's image, making sure you connect with the right people for the right reasons.

It's not always possible to do a pre-networking research, especially when it's a kind of in-person meet-up, speed networking, event, etc. If it's your situation, just talk and listen to people, and show your interest (sometimes a boring guy can be exactly the right person, ha!). If you know in advance names or companies (i.e. it's an online event with profiles descriptions), so yes, try to find information and save important points prior the event. It will help you to tailor your message and tone while speaking to people. P.S. If you want to connect with people on LinkedIn, please, first read what your connections do, and don't send requests without explanation on why you would like to be connected :)

The first pitfall to avoid is inadequate research. Approaching individuals without understanding their background, expertise, or interests is a recipe for awkward encounters and missed opportunities. Before every connection, invest time in research. Explore their online presence, delve into their work, and identify areas of shared interest. This demonstrates respect, sparks meaningful conversations, and lays the foundation for productive collaboration.

If you are networking, in the non-profit space especially, knowing ahead of time if missions align can save a lot of headache. Especially if its with potential donors.

Es muy importante conocer el ecosistema en el que te encuentras, pero si recién estas iniciandote en ese ambiente te recomiendo que al menos logres vincularte estrechamente con una persona que tenga mas experiencia que tú en ese ámbito y pueda introducirte presentandote a las personas que son las indicadas para ayudarte a conseguir tus objetivos.

Networking thrives on nurtured connections, and failing to follow up after initial interactions leaves valuable opportunities hanging. Unfollowed-up connections leave individuals feeling undervalued and hinder the development of trust and rapport, essential for building strong networks. Missed opportunities for collaboration can limit access to resources, expertise, and diverse perspectives, ultimately hindering the impact of community initiatives. Avoid this detrimental misstep, community organizers must prioritize timely and genuine follow-up. A simple thank-you email, a reminder of a promised resource, or an invitation to connect further can significantly improve networking outcomes and unlock the full potential of collaborative action.

El correcto seguimiento es tan importante como conseguir el primer contacto, si no realizas un seguimiento adecuado todo el tiempo y el esfuerzo que invertite en los dos primeros puntos seran completamente una pérdida de tiempo. Dar seguimiento es la concreción de tus logros con el networking, para eso asegurate reservarte el tiempo adecuado en tu agenda para seguir el contacto brindando una conversación humana y honesta, sin dejar de lado en resaltar lo que necesitas, para lograr lo que te propones.

Again, sometimes it's hard to follow 24-hours rule due to circumstances, from my experience I'd say first three days are important, especially if you discussed any collaboration or knowledge sharing (so people are waiting your follow up). This is pure reliability and responsibility, so people see you really value the connection and are committed to continuing the conversation or collaboration. Follow up in-person like drinking a coffee together is also helpful, you can learn more about your new connection. If people don't reply to your follow up, alas, 9 out of 10, they are not your connections :) Don't insist, then.

Not following up implies the connection was transactional as opposed to relational. Treating community contacts as a means to an end does not build trust and may impact future efforts, not just in that particular community but others to whom they are connected. Following up shows an appreciation for not just their time and resources but their willingness to exchange ideas, grow their knowledge and engage you!

Adicionalmente, cuando creas una red colaborativa es de suma importancia atender los comentarios o participaciones, agradeciendo a los integrantes su contribución, procurando mantener el orden y la armonía entre los integrantes de la red.

Part of not being authentic is only engaging with the community when you are in need of something. When you are no longer there and the project concludes, the community will still be there to live in their reality and environment. Be intentional about your interactions. Are you there to check a box or are you there to become apart of the community? Genuinely make connections because you too are the community and whatever happens to them also affects you.

I think being honest, transparent, and true to yourself is the best way to be authentic. We are all different, with different backgrounds, experiences and expertise, so why to hide ourselves behind cheap psychological manipulation or flattering? By the way, pretending to be someone else shouldn't be your goal, because nowadays people can easily check your social accounts or mutual connections. Try to understand people without judging, be polite, express your passions and values. Networking is like relationship, you don't want to have a false-to-bone person by your side :)

I can’t emphasize enough how crucial it is to be your authentic self when networking. In my experience working with mostly male police officers, I found myself often surrounded by opposing viewpoints. However, I chose not to hide my true self for the sake of blending in. I spoke my mind, always with respect and openness to dialogue. Through this approach, they became my greatest community partners. Their collaboration led to initiatives that were more inclusive and effective, directly benefiting the community we served. My authenticity had not only fostered a stronger, more cohesive team but also demonstrated how genuine connections can overcome differences.

I've found that "People don't Care how much you Know until they Know and See how much You CARE..." So genuine interest in the needs or desires of those in a particular COI - Community of Interest should be paramount when engaging for research, study etc. CLD - Community Led Development, by the people and for the people is the best approach for a beneficial outcome

Not paying attention to what the real needs of the community are rather assuming or copying projects wholesale. Because Project A has worked in community B. So it should work in our community as well. We should stop copying projects wholesale rather we should be innovative. We really need to spend some valuable time to fine out through participatory methodology involving all key actors in the community before agreeing and deciding on projects. In so doing the community eventually owns the project and ensures it succeeds.

Every time you have lunch alone at your desk, it is a wasted opportunity. Invite someone to lunch with whom you have nothing in common. God gave you two ears and one mouth, and use them proportionally. Don't try to convert, just listen to them. Understand them. Read "Bridges Across Every Divide"

Every connection is an opportunity for growing the organization. Even connections with whom you might be in opposite sides of the table on some issues can be unlikely allies on other issues. Building respectful relationships with opponents is just as important as building relationships with allies.

An example I've seen in my own career is that innovation, that is, life-changing and meaningful innovation, cannot happen without diversifying your network. Collaboration and having an open mind and willingness to adopt a new approach and new ways of working/thinking can be the missing link between your ideas and executing them into working solutions. Staying within your boundaries stunts your growth as an individual and as a professional.

In my many years of coalition building experience I have learned that there has to be give and take. When meeting with a new potential partner my first step is to learn what they do and what needs they might have. My next step is to seek if I can fill some of those needs with the services the coalition provides or connection with another coalition member. I may even need to deliver on those services before I can expect the new partner to participate in the larger coalition. It has to be worth their while to participate and the relationship needs to go both ways.

Yes, as said above, networking is a two-way street. So if you expect other people do something for you, you should do the same. You can help with offering support or advice, sharing resources (articles, tools or similar), make introductions, etc. It may be 1-to-1 or even your personal meet-up in the future. Introductions are especially important for those seeking a job. Please, help when you can. It will help not only foster goodwill and reciprocity, but also boost your personal brand's reputation, as it's not just about your skills and achievements, but your character and how you engage with others.

Build in a plan for giving back, substantially - resources, time, networks. Build up their brand, strengthen it! Build into your plans ways you can give even if there a no immediate connections made!

They start very objective but end up doing nothing.by this I mean they don't give back to the community.it also a normal that mostly it's financial focus and not problem solving.

Time constraints and too many other obligations can be an obstacle when giving back to your network. Try your best to contribute in any way you can. If you absolutely cannot manage to add one more thing to your list of responsibilities, make sure to share a connection with someone who can be of assistance.

Networking is a very personal, individual experience, and it changes every single time. It's important to provide informal ways to help people engage, especially for those who are introverted or feel uncomfortable stepping into conversations with peers and strangers. For example, you can use an ice breaker with the name tags that sparks conversation. You can also identify a handful of people who can be ambassadors to connect people to each other to inspire networking. Third, you can create an optional activity that allows for a short break in the program (e.g. trivia).

The art of networking is quite subjective. It is still unclear if ongoing interaction leads to success and if latency supports progress.

Asking questions is powerful. I view networking as "connecting the dots," discovering new perspectives and solutions through inquiries, even seemingly unrelated ones. It is only when I actively seek to listen and learn through questions that I start to see these dots connecting. Additionally, I have found many people underestimate the interconnectedness of the world and their own network. Asking questions and sharing challenges often sparks collaboration and problem-solving. It is better not to conceal the reality of challenges in community organizing; instead, embrace a mindset of openness and collaboration to foster transparency and a common goal.

Recomiendo no caer en los errores listados, pero lo más importante es no dejar de actuar, es muy bonito, alegre y entretenido pertenecer a una red, pero lo que realmente mantiene unidos a sus integrantes es la acción, individual o colectiva.