Making Online And Offline Connections

I’ve met all of my clients through online resources and networking. I had one local client in the past who found me online and we never met face-to-face (f2f). However, I recently landed a client and we’ve already had one f2f meeting, but I don’t anticipate another as it was to discuss the business overview.

Thank goodness for the virtual world. I don’t think I could’ve gone into business for myself without it. Most of you know I’m profoundly deaf. Although I speak, lip-read and don’t use ASL (American sign language), I’m uneasy in f2f situations where I know no one. I don’t understand everyone I meet. In Bionic Ear Blog, I explain these situations and why I’m uncomfortable around people I don’t know… yet.

I’m a member of a chamber of commerce… a virtual one. All of this doesn’t mean I avoid in-person situations. On the contrary, I go out more. I play mahjongg and take tennis classes. The real thing, not virtual. Virtual tennis classes don’t get your heart pumping. Having friends in the offline world is still important to me.

Last June, you may have seen articles around the Web and in newspapers like this one from The Washington Post report that we have fewer closer friends. This is disheartening. Growing up, I had three friends considered my closest. I’m still in touch with all of them. It took me a long time to make new friends when I moved back to Texas in 1995. I did gain one best friend and a few more friends — I wouldn’t call them close (yet, anyway). I’m working on it. But it takes two to grow a friendship.

Though I’ve met good friends and colleagues online — that I have yet to meet in person — it’s not the same as having a friend close by especially since I can’t connect with people on the phone. Having a relay operator in the middle of the call just takes away the personal aspect of a phone call.

The virtual world allows me to network and find more clients. The offline world allows us to have close and more personal connections.