Thursday, February 7, 2019

Useful Community Engagement Consultant Tips

By Christopher Jones


It is a common misconception, communities will adapt to policies without their engagement in decision making. The truth is policies, projects and decisions fail because target groups are not engaged in decision making and project implementations. To ensure policies work as designed, it is wise to engage individuals in project implementation. Although the process is not as easy as it sounds, with the right strategies in place you can engage a large audience. Read on to learn more about the strategies a successful community engagement consultant applies.

It is important to note, communities differ in many ways. Each community is unique in terms of customs and traditions, demography, geography and culture. Communities also have needs and desires which keep evolving. That is why as a consultant you need to design engagement strategies that are easy to adapt. Creating flexible strategies help you make an adjustment in certain areas if the desired results are not visible.

Local networks, groups, and organizations help consultants leverage during and after project implementation. Finding your way in a new environment can be overwhelming, but with the help of locals you can pass information and collect opinions easily. Contact reputable groups and networks ahead of time to discuss possible ways for audience engagement. Build strong relationships with locals to get direct connections to leaders and residents.

People love spending time in projects that offer rewards for their participation. Giving rewards to individuals who participate in projects is an effective way to attract more participants. It is advisable to give incentives in form of snacks or small gifts. That way, members of the society feel valued and in turn, engage in activities to ensure projects and policies succeed.

Respond to the needs of participants in the most effective way possible. Communities expect consultants to respond in the same way they respond to them. Responding to the needs of members should not be a difficult task. All you need to do is listen to what people need and apply the right methods to satisfy their wants. By doing so, you encourage many individuals to take part in policy making and project implementation.

Maintaining a group of audience for a long period has proven difficult for many consultants. To avoid low turnout during group meetings and activities, use informative and entertaining content. You can use readable materials, different forms of entertainment like music, acting, and comedy. Consider publishing emotional images to help the audience understand a specific topic. People respond effectively to images that demonstrate real-time events.

Talk is important when dealing with large groups in a specific community. People show interest in programs where real life talk is highly valued. Encourage members to share their life experiences. This tactic opens up room for discussion and promotes effective means of communication.

It does not matter if you engage in serious or entertaining talk if the information is relevant and straightforward people will listen. Most consultants fail to attract participants because they do not understand the needs of communities or add value to their needs. A successful consultant understands what communities want and add value to their current situation.




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