Making Real Life Connection with Online Contacts

Sparkplugging is continuing our tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

This week we’re Sparking an Idea to Make Real Life Connections with People You Know Online

The great thing about the Internet is the ability to connect with people anytime and anywhere. I have friends and business contacts from all over the world. As wonderful as that is, the connections can be made even more powerful with in-person contact. And again, thanks to the Internet, its easier than ever to arrange meetings.

Attend Live Events

Support your online cohorts by attending events they are hosting or speaking at and invite them to join you when you’re speaking or participating in an event. Many of the social networking sites such as Facebook have features that allow members to post events and invite their friends. Its a great way to connect with your online buddies in a public setting.

Another options is to arrange with online friends to attend a conference or training together. Conferences are a great way to learn things and are made more fun if you already know people who are attending as well.

Arrange a Meet-up

Many online social networking groups are recognizing the value of face-to-face contacts and are setting up live events to encourage it. Tweet-ups or joining in groups through MeetUp.com are a great way to meet your online friends in person. The meetings can involve networking for business, but its not required. People can simply meet for good coffee and stimulating conversation.

Let People Know Where You’ll Be

If you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you can let your online buddies know where you’re going and arrange a meet and greet while you’re traveling. Even if you’re on vacation, your online buddy who lives in that area can be a tour guide and let you know the best attractions of the area. (You may want to be careful and selective about letting online groups know you’ll be out of town. Its not necessarily a good idea to let the world know when you’re house will be empty.)