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The Right Way to Make Friends in Cyberspace

When you send friend requests on social networks, it's important to introduce yourself, just like you would if you were meeting in person.

Most networks have a space in their friend invitation window to "add a personal message." Tell the other person who you are and why you want to connect. What interests do you share in common? If you know something specific about the person, say so. For example, "I'm a book marketing coach and I really enjoyed your article about selling on Amazon."

Remember, social networking isn't about trying to collect as many contacts as you can. It's about meeting and developing relationships with people who share common interests. Inviting friends the right way will increase your chances of making those connections.

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Comment by Dennis AuBuchon on January 28, 2009 at 8:37pm: I could not agree more with your statements. When I invite someone to connect as friends on any network such as this I try to add a personal message about information that I see on their page or web site. I may not always accomplish this but it is my desire to do so when making invites. Many times there is interesting information on a person's web site that may not be posted on their page. The more information that is posted on their network page, the more chance that someone will want to connect with them on common interests or needs.

Connecting with others on networks can bring benefits for individuals. One specific connection I made on a network was when I had a common interest with anothe member on an issue around elections. We connected and I supported the movement that he had initiated and collected some data it was posted on his site. You never know what type of connection you can make until you try. We as individuals have our opinions and many times it is shared with others in networks to which we belong.