You’ve initiated contact with local organizations. How do you keep those relationships thriving?
Maintaining strong relationships with local organizations means more than just an initial contact; it involves ongoing interaction and support. Here's how you can keep these connections vibrant:
How do you keep your community outreach efforts effective? Share your strategies.
You’ve initiated contact with local organizations. How do you keep those relationships thriving?
Maintaining strong relationships with local organizations means more than just an initial contact; it involves ongoing interaction and support. Here's how you can keep these connections vibrant:
How do you keep your community outreach efforts effective? Share your strategies.
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You have to be a friend to get a friend. For new relationships invest time and effort in their endeavors. You get what you give. In community outreach, it’s fundamental to be part of other communities and people will reciprocate.
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Give them something they value without expecting anything in return. For example, sharing an article or project with a topic they are specifically interested in. Definitely don't sell something right at the start. That is a major turnoff. After building rapport, you may find that they are not the right customer for you but if they like you, they will be keen to introduce people they know who are suitable leads.
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Show interest in collaborating to solve problems for the other party. This will facilitate contact when you are not asking for something.
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The best advice I’ve received is to make friends before you need them. This helps to ensure that the relationships are genuine and reciprocal. When it’s comes to local organizations, the approach should be the same. Connect and learn each other’s needs first to create a solid foundation with mutual support.
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I think it’s about cultivating relationships—listen and support. It’s not important to keep others in your circle in case you need something in the future. It’s about learning from others and letting them have impact on you. It will only create a better version of yourself so that you can have impact on others…most of the time not knowing.
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Community outreach is about fostering relationships that are built on trust and mutual respect. It's not about grand gestures, but about showing up consistently, listening actively, and demonstrating that you truly value the relationship. Being real and authentic helps foster trust and connection, creating a foundation where both parties feel supported and understood. Authenticity allows for deeper conversations and more meaningful growth in the relationship.
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To keep relationships thriving with local organizations requires intentionality. One must look at creative methods of having the organization's mission, vision, and values be presented on your platform. Foster a collaborative spirit without any expectations other than building, growing, and developing from the relationship that's been established. Doing this provides the organization with someone they can trust and have confidence in over time. That becomes good business.
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I always look for ways to connect local organizations and identify ways to collaborate. Helping may mean introductions, monetary donations or in-kind services or supplies. I try to be useful, always checking in to see what is needed. Being "thoughtful" is the best way for me to assist.
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