How to Win Friends Online
Posted on 22. Jul, 2009 by Tracy O’Connor in friendship
photo credit: HikingArtist.com
Making friends online can be a very rewarding and enriching experience as well as help those looking to network with other professionals in their field. Whatever your reasons, from making a good impression in the online dating world to making connections to enhance your business opportunties, here are some important tips to remember to be likable online.
Tip One: Be Yourself – Only a more positive, less whiny version.
Nobody is saying pull a Pollyanna, but ask yourself is it really necessary to tweet “Ugh, morning” on Twitter every day? How often do you need to complain about the weather or having to go to work or dishes that don’t wash themselves?
Share what’s exciting and positive about your life. As a bonus, focusing on the good can make you genuinely feel better, too!
Tip Two: Respond to other people. You have to give to get online. For every one post you make about yourself, make 10 more that aren’t about you. Ask folks about their day, give them a high five for good news, sympathy for bad.
Make it a point to show off great things that your online friends are doing. They’ll appreciate it and others will see that you’re a connected, enthusiastic member of your online tribe.
Tip Three: Take a moment to connect one to one. Email a follow up question. Direct message a compliment. Privately ask how a situation is progressing.
People appreciate the personal touch, however it’s important not to come on too strong. Don’t give the impression that you want to instantly become best friends.
Tip Four: Assume the positive. It’s a cliche for a reason: Tone is hard to read online. Ask yourself, what’s the worse thing that could happen if I assume the best possible interpretation?
This is not to say that you should put up with abuse or blatantly offensive behavior, however take a moment before reacting to see if there is another likely explanation. I’ve seen folks blow up over what seemed like obvious jokes and I’m afraid that it seems like the bulk of the damage was done to their own reputation.
Tip Five: Stay cool and calm. Again, give yourself time to think before reacting. Ask yourself, is there anyway this could be misinterpretated? Think twice, send once is a wonderful motto and should be engraved on all monitors.
Using these tips will make it easy to find friends online and develop real and lasting relationships. Treat others like you’d like to be treated and you’ll find they’ll do the same for you.
Tracy O’Connor is a writer and mother of five boys. Her sites include the I Hate My Message Humor blog and IHMMB Life and Style as well as the very active IHMMB discussion forums. You can connect with her on Twitter anytime!
12 Responses to “How to Win Friends Online”
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travit
22. Jul, 2009
Great tips. I admit that I often assume the worst in online communications, I need to try and flip that and err on the side of being more positive.
travit´s last blog ..WTH Rachel Ray?
Tracy
23. Jul, 2009
Travit, I often think I have the magic ability to suss out a person’s motives, meanings and personality from a 2 sentence paragraph. It’s possible I’m wrong about that.
Tracy´s last blog ..I had the perfect title come to me while I was in bed last night
Twitted by jhoggie
23. Jul, 2009
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Sheree Motiska
23. Jul, 2009
Those who are presenting themselves online as themselves truly shine among a sea of fakes and scam artists. You’re the ones who will persevere in the end, all the while having a blast with your friends.
@web20empire
Sheree Motiska´s last blog ..Wise Network Marketer Is The Guest Star Of The Giant Peach
Wassan
23. Jul, 2009
Very helpful tips, certainly looking at relationships as conversational and not just speaking “at” people helps.
Wassan´s last blog ..I Need a Break!
Nicholas Z. Cardot
24. Jul, 2009
Thanks for the great tips. Will you be my friend? LOL.
Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..Blogging Basics: What Exactly is a Blog?
Tracy
24. Jul, 2009
Hi Sheree! Yes, being genuine is the best policy for yourself and for those around you. I think everyone has a light that can shine if they let it.
Hi Wassan! I know, this post reminded me that even when I am busy to take a moment to really connect. It’s one of the most important things we do as people, yet the first thing we push to the back burner.
Hi Nicholas of course I will!
Ryan
24. Jul, 2009
Good blog. I recently wrote a blog on similar topic, tips for dating professionals
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18. Aug, 2009
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KJ Smith
21. Aug, 2009
Love the post. Good advice.
Twitter Trackbacks for How to Win Friends Online | EasySelfHelpTips.com [easyselfhelptips.com] on Topsy.com
29. Aug, 2009
[...] How to Win Friends Online | EasySelfHelpTips.com easyselfhelptips.com/friendship/how-to-win-friends-online – view page – cached photo credit: HikingArtist.com Making friends online can be a very rewarding and enriching experience as well as help those looking to network with other — From the page [...]
Audrey Burne
20. Oct, 2009
Here’s a quick and easy tip. Don’t mull over the bad times and what went wrong. Learn from these life experiences. Get yourself ready to approach the next date.
Audrey Burne´s last blog ..Interested in an American Singles Dating Site?