I know I keep talking about reaching out to your online community, but for a reason. I don’t see enough people doing it. Recent research shows that, even with the emergence of social networking, we ultimately interact in the way we always have. We have the same number of people (approx 4-8) in our “inner circle”, and we form relationships with people whom we make a more-than surface level connection.
Don’t get me wrong. Social networking has changed a number of things; most importantly, the length of our reach and the size of the net we can cast. The online community we create is significant in the same way as our offline acquaintances. We frequently hear about opportunities or learn information via a friend of a friend - online or offline, it’s pretty much the same.
But online we also cross paths with people who may be a good personal or business fit, whom we might not have met, otherwise. To truly benefit from our online community, we need to connect with some of these people offline. But which of your 5,630 followers and 1,216 friends should you contact? You will figure that out the same way you always have – gut instinct.
By reaching out, you increase the potential for more meaningful interactions. Not everyone you contact will be receptive. And not all of these relationships will develop past acquaintanceship, but the ones that do will pay off in the form of collaboration and friendship. So make the first move. You may be surprised how ready and willing people are to connect.
