When it comes to creating a family through open adoption, how much networking is too much?
If you’re a waiting parent, the answer is simple: There’s no such thing as too much networking.
After all, the more you do, the more of a chance you have of getting yourself out there and eventually connecting with expectant parents.
How this translates into action varies from one waiting parent to another.
For some, it means telling everyone they know about their adoption plans with the goal of connecting with someone with an adoption plan.
For others, it means signing up with multiple agencies in the hopes of getting access to a larger pool of expectant couples.
For others, it’s joining a parent profile service like ours or creating a website to boost their visibility online.
And for yet others, it means launching an ad campaign to cut through the noise and grab the attention of the expecting parents who are looking for them.
But how do you know when it’s time to turn your outreach campaign up a notch and take it to the next level?
Once again, the signs are different for every individual. But here are some of the main indicators that it’s time to re-think your strategy.
1. Expectant parents aren’t reaching out to you
If you’re looking for a sign that it’s time to try something new, this is by far the most obvious one.
If you’re pleased with your profile but expectant parents aren’t showing an interest in it, it probably means it’s time to take your outreach efforts to new level.
2. You have a nagging feeling that your profile could be better
Not getting a response to your profile is disappointing. But at least you can tell yourself you gave it your best shot.
However, if something tells you that your profile isn’t up to snuff that’s an entirely different issue entirely.
And it’s another sign that it’s time to go back to the drawing board and re-think your outreach strategy.
3. Other waiting parents are getting chosen before you
Adoption isn’t a competition. Every situation is different and different waiting parents get picked for different reasons.
But if you get to the point where everyone else is getting picked by expectant parents and you’re not, you may need to re-evaluate your networking efforts and find ways to improve them.
4. You’re suddenly more willing to increase your networking budget
Finding a match can be expensive, and nobody has an unlimited budget.
That’s why it’s important to put limits on how much you’re willing to invest in your outreach efforts.
But if you suddenly get restless and find yourself ready to increase your budget, that could be another clue that you’re ready to take your networking efforts to the next stage.
5. You’re feeling frustrated and impatient
Waiting for a match is hard, and there’s only so much you can take before your lack of results leaves you feeling anxious and frustrated.
But wallowing in your sadness won’t change a thing. If you want things to happen, you’re going to have to make them happen.
And that means trying new things in the hopes of producing different results.
Because adoption is such an unpredictable process, sometimes it’s hard to know when to take your networking efforts to a new level.
Listen to what your gut is telling you and evaluate the pros and cons of striking out in a new direction.
If nothing else, taking your networking plan to another level will make you feel like you’re being proactive and make the time go faster.
And it may even help you reach your dream of becoming a parent!
Do you have an open adoption story? Share it with us today.