Networking for zoos: 3 degrees of separation
Development ( ‘posh’ for fundraising’) is, in some ways, as simple as identifying those people in a position to make a major difference to your organisation, project or cause, and placing yourself in their path ( …again… and again…. and again)
One straightforward way of doing this is to obsess on list making and advice taking. Draw up an initial list of individuals who, in one way or another, might be of interest. Now contact that single well connected someone, who is most likely to give you a little of their time. Very importantly, all you will ask for is their advice. They will comment on your list and your project, tell you who is likely to be interested, add to the list, indicate which of these people they know personally, and ideally allow you to use their name to effect an introduction. Now you have the end of the ball of string. Each time you secure a meeting with a new individual, your network will ramify. You have begun to create a consituency, interested in and informed on your project.
The 3 degrees of separation theory will show itself especially true, when you come across just a few ‘nodal’ individuals who seem to have access to everyone.
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