The different factors of forming relationships offline
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Kyle Lacy recently wrote a posting asking, when does a subscription turn into a relationship?
While I don’t think there is a simple answer for this question, relationships offline should be formed and encouraged. People that I follow through online social media, I follow because our interests are pretty much similar. There are at least several dozen or so people I network with online, that given the chance, I would network with offline. Communication online using tools such as IM, FriendFeed, Twitter is good for maintaining what’s going on or what is missed, but nothing beats talking shop in person.
The Internet is what connects us all, but it’s also the same thing that divides us all. Most relationships formed online probably never make it to the offline stage. I have not seen any data on this, it just seems logical. We are all bound by our geographical and financial limitations.
Friends that I have been developing and have a repore with online, I have been making an effort to network with offline. While I look forward to these opportunities, I am bound by my geographical and financial constraints. Most of the people I network with online, do not live in the state of Florida, much less the United States. In my circle of networking, there are about 3-5 individuals within a 60 mile radius. Granted if the economy was in better shape, it might kick start people driving more and flying. With the rising costs of air travel and gas, online relationships for the most part will remain online unless local, if there is a will.
I look forward to the opportunity to network offline if it’s within an hours driving distance. Kyle Lacy recently informed me he is coming to the state of Florida. Kyle is becoming very popular on FriendFeed, and overall seems to be a stand up guy. Like myself, he shares the sames interests and passion about social media. Kyle is definitely someone I would network with offline. Threfore, we came up with the idea of a West Palm Beach/Miami FriendFeed Meetup. This will be a great opportunity to meet and network offline with FriendFeed members. This of course is all geographically dependent. I will post more in detail about the meet up in the next week or two. Anyone who lives in Florida is welcome to attend. Venue is yet to be determined at this point.
Moral of the story, if you see an opportunity to network offline, seize it. Social media should brings us together online and off.
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