How can you build strong relationships with industry professionals in Facilitation?

1 Find your niche

One of the first steps to building relationships with other facilitators is to identify your niche and focus on the topics, sectors, or audiences that interest you the most. This will help you narrow down your search for potential mentors, peers, and collaborators who share your passion and expertise. You can also use your niche to showcase your unique value proposition and differentiate yourself from other facilitators in the market.

2 Join online communities

Another way to network with other facilitators is to join online communities where you can exchange ideas, resources, and best practices. There are many platforms and groups that cater to different aspects of facilitation, such as design thinking, agile, innovation, education, and more. You can also participate in online events, webinars, and podcasts that feature facilitation experts and practitioners. By being active and engaged in these communities, you can build your reputation, credibility, and visibility as a facilitator.

3 Attend in-person events

While online communities are convenient and accessible, nothing beats the power of face-to-face interactions when it comes to building relationships. That's why you should also look for opportunities to attend in-person events, such as conferences, workshops, meetups, and hackathons, where you can meet other facilitators in real life. These events can help you expand your network, learn new skills, and discover new opportunities. You can also use these events to showcase your work, get feedback, and collaborate with others.

4 Offer value and support

One of the most important principles of networking is to offer value and support to others before asking for anything in return. This means that you should be generous with your knowledge, skills, and time, and help others achieve their goals and solve their problems. You can do this by sharing useful content, providing feedback, recommending resources, making introductions, or volunteering your services. By doing so, you will build trust, rapport, and goodwill with other facilitators, and they will be more likely to reciprocate and support you in the future.

5 Follow up and stay in touch

The last tip for building relationships with other facilitators is to follow up and stay in touch with the people you meet. Don't let the connections you make fade away after the initial contact. Instead, follow up with a thank you note, a compliment, a question, or an invitation to connect on social media or other platforms. Then, stay in touch by sending occasional updates, checking in on their progress, or sharing relevant information. By maintaining regular communication, you will strengthen your relationships and keep them alive and meaningful.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?