Ask the Social Media Guy: How do I make new friends online?

• Dec 29th, 2008
• Posted by jhagy
• Posted in Social Media, Spring Creek Group

Q: How do I make new friends online?

A:
So you’ve popped onto Facebook, uploaded your email address book, and everyone you went to high school with has decided to friend you, even though they’d never speak to you back in the day.

But you want to meet new people—perhaps in your industry, perhaps in your town, perhaps you just want to connect with someone you admire. Fantastic!

And here’s the real secret as to why social media has taken off so quickly: we’re all only one email away from everyone else in the world. Forget Kevin Bacon and his 6 degrees. You’re only one digital degree—one email, tweet, poke, or link—away from everyone.

Now, to answer your question: Connect through the social media hubs you hang out on—it’s the best way to turn a cold contact to a warm one. If you can’t connect through those organic channels, sending a email or an IM isn’t something to be afraid of.

Tell whoever you’re contacting how you know about them. Where, what site, what friend-of-a-friend, or what company—make sure they know you’re not a spam-bot by proving you’re paying attention.

Then ask a question or offer something to the person you’re contacting. You want to start a conversation, not just send a digital postcard. If you can start a conversation, you can start a friendship.

Have a Q for us? Shoot it to askus@springcreekgroup.com