| I have built a business connecting with people online. But it's still really fucking weird when I tell people that I met my business partner on the internet. Or that I'm traveling with friends that I met online. That's certainly my own inner gremlins that I need to tackle, but it is what it is. And I won't let it stop me from connecting with people through the glory of the internet. My own icky feelings aside, I love that I've made connections with badass bosses all over the globe. I have regular chats with friends who live in other countries. I run a business with a chick who lives three states away. And I work with women all over the world. When I started my business, it felt odd to strike up a conversation with a screenname. Who's on the other side of that blog post? that newsletter? that Instagram post? A human being, that's who. The internet does some awesome things with giving us an avenue to connect, but some icky things by dehumanizing our connections. It's important to move past that, because the tribe you can build through this limitless connection potential is mighty. You just have to make the first move. - - - - 1 - Shoot a personal email to some of your newsletter subscribers. If you have a small list, shoot an email to all of your newsletter subscribers. Show them you're a person and that you're glad they've joined your online space. See what their struggles are and how they hope you'll help them. Strike up the conversation. 2 - Invite someone you've been emailing or Insta-commenting to join you for a Skype chat. If you've already begun connecting with someone online, whether it's by consistently rooting them on via Instagram or occasional email threads, take the next step by pitching a Skype date. There's nothing like having some face time with your fellow bosses to get the mojo flowing towards a really fab friendship. 3 - Send a love note to someone you admire. One of my favorite emails I've ever received was from a very nice man in a similar field just sending me a note to let me know that he saw what I was doing in the world, and wanted me to know that others (including him) were taking notice. It wasn't weird or creepy, but genuine and moving. We all just want to be heard. Let someone you admire know that their energy is not for nothing. 4 - Join a mastermind group. If you're not the kind to pitch and email, grow your relationships more passively by joining a mastermind group. Our Being Boss Clubhouse attracts mostly introverts who find it much easier to dive into online buddy relationships in this pre-planned way. You just have to show up with a smile on your face. - - - - TO-DO FOR YOU:
Make your next move! Connect with someone online using one of the tactics above. ALSO:
It's time to join the April session of the Being Boss Clubhouse, so if you're looking to take the pressure off, or simply gain 25 new friends at once(!!), then join us here >> ALMANAC:
These days I'm all about clearing space in my calendar for all the work I feel coming ahead. Whether you've backtracked on your New Years resolutions, or are simply working to begin a new project for the year, now's the time to begin putting the little pre-planning steps in action. | 