Quick Tip – Connecting on Social Media

Relationships take time – Issue #70

Social media is a double-edged sword. It can waste your time and introduce you to the darker side of society. However, it is also a useful way to connect with likeminded souls and people you admire.

For example, all of us have authors we’d love to meet someday. We’ve read their books for years and enjoy what they write. However, what are the odds that you’ll get to meet your favorite authors, much less have a conversation with them?

Love it or hate it, that’s where Twitter can come in handy. Some of the authors I follow are on Linkedin, as well. Of course, you can follow someone right away. But, they aren’t going to follow you back or answer a message that you might be tempted to send immediately.

Like any relationship, connecting with someone takes time. Social media has a strange effect on behavior. The easy access and instant nature of messaging make people skip all of the steps that would usually occur in the real world.

You would never go up to a famous stranger in public, introduce yourself, and immediately try to engage that person in an in-depth discussion. Ok, some people might, but they shouldn’t. You certainly wouldn’t ask for a favor or tell them to become your friend.

Yet, that happens every day on social media. I’ve had strangers DM me on Twitter and ask for a favor. Individuals message me on Instagram and ask questions that are way too personal. People message me on Linkedin and immediately ask if they can call me.

It’s a great way to be ignored or blocked.

Relationships take time!

If you’d like to connect with someone you admire professionally, start slow. Follow them and like their posts. Reshare their content as appropriate.

Write comments that are relevant and intelligent. Ask insightful follow-up questions.

This process can take several weeks or months. Some people are so busy that they may never follow you back or respond to you. Don’t take it personally. In some cases, people don’t run their accounts at all (e.g., they have a PR team), so this strategy won’t work.

However, success is possible. For example, I used this strategy to connect with an author I admire on LinkedIn.

People have used this strategy to connect with me after reading, liking, sharing, and commenting on the articles that I write. When they take their time, and I see that they’ve actually read my work, I’m happy to connect.

Who would you like to connect with online?