An introvert’s guide to networking

When it comes to embracing digital technology, collaboration is essential. With emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) professing to transform the ways we work and live, charities must work together to co-ordinate a sector-wide response, learning best practices and sharing lessons along the way. Without specific frameworks to follow, collaboration helps charities move forward together with confidence, overcoming barriers, and in some cases, pre-empting them entirely.  

However, while the sector recognises that collaboration drives further impact, the mechanisms to facilitate it are harder. Charity professionals need to be able to form connections, build relationships, and develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing their organisations.  

Networking is a great way to do just that. It is a key part of professional development, helping charity professionals develop their skills and find support from people working in the same areas or areas they would like to move into. It helps people discover new projects where their expertise might be valued and learn from diverse perspectives to challenge their own thinking and come up with new ideas.  

In summary, networking brings people together to share knowledge and learn from each other – and what you put in is what you get out. “Yes, networking can help you land jobs and gain access to new opportunities,” explains the Harvard Business Review. “But it can also be about making genuine connections, knowledge sharing, and giving back to others. It just depends on what you want and how you approach it.” 

Below, we explore five essential tips to help charity professionals improve their networking skills and collaborate more effectively. 

Networking tips for charity professionals 

“Be a croissant, not a bagel” 

From the outset, the process of networking can feel daunting. Whether it’s networking online (such as via LinkedIn or online events) or in-person, approaching people can feel like a major hurdle, one that puts many people off before they’ve even begun.  

To overcome this barrier, and make the process more inclusive, networking expert Robbie Samuels advises that people aim to be “croissants, not bagels”, meaning that they take an open approach more akin to a croissant’s semi-circle shape, rather than the closed-off impenetrable form of the bagel.   

Physically, this applies to in-person networking, standing in croissant formation when in groups to allow others to join in easily. But the phrase can also apply to virtual networking in theory. The “croissant” mindset recognises that networking is essentially about people and as such, we should adopt a spirit of openness, being welcoming to others when making connections. It’s about acknowledging that networking is a task we undertake together, not alone. It’s not all about you.  

Share your own skills and support others 

One of the best ways to make networking less scary is to remember that you have something to offer too. In the same spirit of being a croissant, share your own skills and knowledge openly, but also form connections by building others up too. Share their events online, refer people to posts you’ve found valuable, and post about work that’s helped you with yours. By supporting others, you strengthen any network you’re a part of. 

“In essence, it’s about building relationships and investing in the communities you are part of,” explains Imperial College London. “It is a reciprocal process: you offer something to the community and ‘pay in’ and you take things and have benefits in return.” 

Know what you need 

If networking via platforms such as LinkedIn, you may be first introducing yourself in writing. In this case, clarity should be your priority. Be clear about what you are asking for, whether it’s advice, information about a role, or a chance to talk in more detail. It will make the chances of getting a response higher because people will know immediately what is being asked of them and whether they can help.  

However, do not sacrifice brevity for clarity. Charity professionals are busy – keep your introduction short but sweet, no need to go overboard with details of your employment history in the first message. Introduce yourself, add some context about your message (e.g. “I read your article on environmental sustainability”), and proceed from there.  

Join groups 

There are lots of online networking groups for charity professionals, where they can share ideas or ask for advice. These groups are designed to make it easier for charity professionals to connect and are usually hosted on social media sites people are familiar with such as LinkedIn and Facebook.  

Charity Excellence has compiled a handy list of networking groups to join in every area, from finance to fundraising. Each group will have its own set of guidelines set by its admins, so make sure to check those out before posting to ensure the best networking experience for everyone. 

Practice, practice, practice 

“Fake it until you make it” is an oft-repeated phrase when it comes to building confidence – and for good reason. Building confidence does get easier with practice, while the more you avoid a situation, the more daunting it becomes. Make time to work on your confidence by networking often at the start, as soon as you know it’s your plan to do so.   

Set yourself an achievable goal of how you’d like to network, such as how many events you’ll attend within a set timeframe. Attend other charity events, not just those explicitly designed for networking, to build your own experience and knowledge of the sector, and get chatting to other attendees – you never know who you might meet. 

Even outside of networking, practice speaking to others as much as possible. It may seem obvious but in an increasingly disconnected world, where social isolation is on the rise and we do everything from working to shopping from home, making conversation with people we don’t know can seem a more challenging prospect. So practice. Avoid the self-checkout, chat with your colleagues, and try to take advantage of every opportunity to hone your conversational skills. In turn, welcome the confidence as it comes.