There’s no denying that technology dominates our lives these days. And while this comes with all sorts of benefits, it does make building meaningful connections difficult—we end up spending countless hours staring at our phones, and most of our conversations seem to be online. Here are some things you can do to limit your exposure to this.
Share Authentic Content
Sadly, there’s a lot of fake nonsense in the digital world, so make sure you’re engaging in this by sharing content that reflects your true interests and values, helping others to get to know the real you. This could be through personal stories, thoughtful articles, or meaningful photos; however you choose to do it, just make sure they’re authentic because people really appreciate that nowadays.
Be Consistent
Just like in the real world, you’re going to need to be consistent in your communication if you want to build digital trust and reliability. Regular check-ins, timely responses, and maintaining a steady presence in your messages or emails show that you’re dependable. This reliability can strengthen your connections over time, making them more meaningful.
Participate in Online Communities
There are so many incredible online communities today, with there seeming to be one for just about every niche in existence. So, find a community aligned with your interests, as this will allow you to meet like-minded individuals. Active participation in discussions will help you fit right in, and who knows, perhaps you’ll meet your online friends in real life some day.
Embrace Video Calls
As Augusto Correia explains via Linkedin, video calls are becoming way more popular these days, and it’s about time you embraced them. While they might not be quite the same as face-to-face interaction, they add a deeper layer of connection to digital communication. You can see facial expressions and body language, which enhances empathy. So, embrace them because regular video calls will no doubt strengthen your online bonds.
Personalize Your Messages
Even if your communication remains dominated by instant messaging, there’s nothing stopping you from crafting personalized messages to show that you care. Mention specific details, recall previous conversations, and ask thoughtful questions. This approach shows genuine interest and attentiveness, preventing your messages from feeling impersonal, which is a common complaint these days.
Engage in Active Listening
Just like in real life, active listening is incredibly important in the online world, so make sure you’re fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully during conversations. Show interest by asking follow-up questions and acknowledging the speaker’s points. This practice demonstrates respect and makes the other person feel valued and heard, which can never be a bad thing.
Show Empathy and Support
It’s always a good idea to offer empathy and support during challenging times, even if you’re unable to do so face-to-face. Even just a quick message containing some kind words of wisdom or support can make a huge difference because it shows that you care about others’ well-being.
Celebrate Milestones
Just because you can’t be with someone in real life doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate milestones with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a birthday, promotion, or personal milestone; remember these dates and consider asking if your friend would like to join you in a video call. Maybe you could prepare some virtual balloons as an endearing touch.
Offer Help and Resources
Being generous with your knowledge and resources will never be overlooked, even if it’s through the digital world, so don’t be afraid to offer assistance, share useful information, or provide support when someone needs it. This demonstrates that you’re a reliable and valuable contact, deepening your relationships even further.
Keep Your Promises
It should go without saying that digital promises are just as important as they are in normal life, so be reliable and stay true to your word. Following through on commitments and promises shows that you respect and value the other person’s time and trust, strengthening your credibility among your online friends.
Be Respectful of Boundaries
Believe it or not, boundaries absolutely exist online, so make sure you’re respecting those of other people, and don’t forget to make yours clear, too. Understanding and honoring their comfort zones regarding communication frequency, preferred platforms, and personal information helps create a respectful and trusting environment.
Practice Patience
You should never get frustrated if someone fails to message you back or open up to you online; building relationships takes time and patience, even in the digital world, so be patient. Allow relationships to develop naturally at their own pace, demonstrating patience and understanding, which will ultimately build your relationship on a more solid foundation.
Use Positive Language
Nobody likes to interact with a troll or a flamer online, so use positive language, ensuring your online friends feel welcome around you. Use uplifting and encouraging words, and your communication will be much more pleasant for everyone, attracting exciting new online experiences for you, just as it would in the real world.
Show Gratitude
Just because you’re interacting online doesn’t mean you shouldn’t express gratitude. Gratitude always does wonders for your positive thinking as well as for others; a simple thank you for someone’s time, help, or thoughtful message can go a long way. It will no doubt attract more people to you, giving you more meaningful online interactions than ever.
Stay Updated
It can sometimes be difficult to stay updated with someone’s life when you only interact online, so you need to make an active effort to stay informed about their latest developments, showing that you care. This can be achieved by keeping up with their posts, updates, or by simply asking about recent events.
Be Honest and Transparent
Even if you don’t know someone in the real world, honesty and transparency are non-negotiables when it comes to digital communication. Being open about your thoughts, feelings, and intentions will help you build trust and create an environment of mutual respect and understanding, ensuring that your connections are based on genuine interactions.
Avoid Overloading with Information
It’s a common problem these days when someone shares too much information at once through online mediums, such as spam messaging them or tagging them in too many memes. This can be completely overwhelming and put them off from interacting with you, so keep your messages concise and relevant, ensuring that your communication is clear and considerate.
Reflect on Interactions
Above all, taking time to reflect on your digital interactions is just as important as it is with face-to-face interactions. If a conversation didn’t go the way you wanted it to, ask yourself why that was. On the other hand, if you have a particularly meaningful connection with someone, assess what you did right, and that way, you can continue to improve the lives of your online friends.