Understanding Connections and Relationships Online

Many experts have recommended relationships as the number one key to online success. Building up a community in your niche drives the numbers for your website up to where you want them to be. These relationships open doors, guide your path and even give you a leg up when you need it most.

Recently I was told that I had crossed the line with an online request. My problem was that I did not even know there WAS a line. I know the lines in my face to face life. There are a few people that I know I can call if I need someone to watch my kids for a couple of hours. There are those people that I know I can call if I need some help with a particular activity. There are a few that I probably would never call, but if worse came to worse they would still do all that they could do to help me out if times got tough.

Understanding these limits when it comes to my online connections and relationships can be tough. Does a connection become a relationship with a few tweets and retweets? Are direct messages and emails required as well? Can a connection become a relationship instantly – the online equivalent of “love at first”?

There are no magic requirements for developing relationships online. Sometimes the connection is instantly a relationship. Edward Elliot was one of these for me. I believe I first met him on Twitter but it could have been Facebook. He has always been one to share links, blog posts or retweets without hesitation.

Amy Bayliss (of A Woman Inspired) is another instant relationship. I met her through her blog and now connect with her through emails, conferences, and Facebook. She has opened doors for me that I would never have imagined only a few months back.

Then there are those that I have emailed, tweeted with and even commented back and forth on Facebook but the relationship does not exist. It might feel like it at times, but the reality comes crashing in just when you are counting on that relationship the most.

How do I know the difference?

Reading people online is not all that different from reading people in person. It is what is said between the lines that has the most importance. If I had noticed that all the comments began from MY end then I might not have even been standing on the rug and definitely would not have been surprised when it was pulled away.

How do you judge between a connection and a relationship online? What do you expect before you make that distinction?

Knowing the limits of others is not always easy. Understanding your own limits might not be all that is necessary. You may need to clarify up front about a new relationship or connection about what is and is not acceptable and be ready and willing to offer an apology if you accidently cross that line that you did not see.