How to Build a Social Network

Co-authored by Annie Lin, MBA

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 References

A social network comprises a group of friends and acquaintances that share similar interests, careers or both. Building a social network online can also mean gaining an audience that will in turn benefit your career or your political clout. Building an effective social network will mean that you will always have contacts to help you with your personal or career endeavors. In fact, it can help to have separate networks for both. Expand your social network through person-to-person interactions, and keep in touch via social media.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Networking Online and with Apps

1
Make profiles on popular platforms. Get established on popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Tumblr, Reddit, YouTube, and Flickr. Be careful what you put on any public profiles, as anyone can look you up.^{[1]
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Research source} You will find the broadest audience there.
- Ask people you know what social media they use.
- For professional social networking, try LinkedIn.
- Once you have a nice picture and a cute or accurate name on your platform of choice, add friends freely.
2
Download messaging apps to communicate with friends. To network with the people you have in your life already, check out communication apps that will let you send what are basically cooler text messages. Check out messaging apps that are popular in Asia, like WeChat or WhatsApp. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- Consider using separate phone numbers for different networks. For example, a personal cell phone and a work cell phone.
- If you're interested in privacy, download an encrypted app like Signal.
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3
Find your niche online. Search the platforms you have joined for causes you care about and other interests of yours. For instance, you can join groups on Facebook, follow organizations on Twitter. Post in these groups, reply to other members, and add other members with whom you get along.
- For instance, if you're in a Facebook group for Panda Habitat Conservation, and you always feel inspired by the jokes some man named Heinrich from Idaho posts, you can like his post, reply with a joke of your own, and then add him as a friend.
- Find message boards or online communities that focus on one of your interests. Post on the topic and share your knowledge. If someone on the message board has similar interests or can teach you something, then send them an email or a private message and get to know them.
4
Add people freely. Request connections with everyone you know and like in real life. If the network is a personal one, add only your close friends you would want hearing your unguarded thoughts. If the network is a business one, add the people you interact with, whether virtually or in person, so you can grow your reach.
5
Represent yourself. Be active on the sites you choose! Once a day or so, share a comment, photo, or article that interests you and that you think may interest others. If you only use your site to follow others, people will forget you are there.
6
Interact with your contacts.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Annie Lin, MBA
Life & Career Coach
Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.} The best way to strengthen your network is to interact with the people you are connected with. Take a few minutes a day to check the site and express enjoyment of various posts. Different platforms will let you do this different ways—you might comment or press "like" "heart" or "favorite." Only do this when you actually like something! Otherwise your feed will slowly fill with things that do not interest you.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Strive to be genuine in your interactions so you can find true common ground with others.
- On many platforms, you may post things and tag the people you think may be interested. Only do this on occasion, and try not to tag more than a few people—otherwise it won't feel personal.
7
Reconnect with former contacts. Go through your address book, day planner, or other contact information for your current friends and contacts. Make connection with them just to talk. The subject of your conversation isn't really important at this point. Just staying in touch works wonders and will serve as the foundation for the next steps.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Building Community

1
Throw a party. From a birthday party to a friendly get together, parties are a great way to gather your friends and expand your network. Ask all of your close friends to come and encourage them to bring guests. Speak with everyone at the party and get phone numbers and contact information from those you do not know and that you share common interests with.
2
Say yes to invitations. Attend weddings, funerals and parties that you are invited to. Showing that you care about the people in your network, even if you just pop in and say hi, will cause those that are in your 'network' to return the same courtesy. And, you could meet other people there too.
- If you have to say no to an invitation, send an event-appropriate gift or card.
3
Get active. Consider volunteering and joining a cause that you believe in. You might agitate for a change in election procedures, march against corruption, fundraise for the homeless in your neighborhood, or join an anti-deportation league.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
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- You will meet people who share your interests and do some good at the same time.
- Being active also shows that you care about something greater than yourself, which may help you meet new people.
4
Find in-person activities online. Meet new people by joining groups of strangers that gather for socializing. Sites like Meetup.com offer local volunteer-led hiking groups, poker parties, and other fun things. Since everyone is participating in the initial difficulty of meeting with strangers, the awkwardness is diminished.
5
Attend summits, festivals, conferences, expositions, and fairs. Go to large meetups that involve the topics you are interested in. Whether they are about technology, skiing or scrapbooking, you will meet new people that share similar interests. Introduce yourself to people in line, ask questions at panels, and add other attendees on social media.
- Try going to the same gatherings every year. That way, you'll make friends with other regulars.
- Create business cards that you can hand out to new contacts to stay in touch.
6
Give back by hosting. If you want to participate in a community, you have to give back! That means hosting parties and connecting people, promoting the interests of others within your network, and otherwise being a mensch to those around you.
- Consider starting your own activist, social, or artistic group. This can be a bit of a daunting task, but if you start your own group, whether an internet bulletin board group or an actual meet and greet group, people will be coming to you instead of you looking for them. This is a great way to meet new contacts and friends.
7
Work your network. Once you have established yourself in a community, and are known to give back to it, ask for favors. Should you be seeking a job, don't hesitate to tell everyone in your network about it. Send out resumes to those you are closest to or those that share business interest.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I build a social network if I'm not outgoing?

Annie Lin, MBA
Life & Career Coach
Annie Lin is the founder of New York Life Coaching, a life and career coaching service based in Manhattan. Her holistic approach, combining elements from both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, has made her a highly sought-after personal coach. Annie’s work has been featured in Elle Magazine, NBC News, New York Magazine, and BBC World News. She holds an MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University. Annie is also the founder of the New York Life Coaching Institute which offers a comprehensive life coach certification program. Learn more: https://newyorklifecoaching.com

Annie Lin, MBA

Life & Career Coach

Expert Answer

Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone! If you are at a party, don't just stand in the corner. Instead, try to make small talk with people.

Warnings

Get to know and trust people before giving out too much personal information. Although most relationships will be perfectly safe, it is possible to give too much information to someone who may ultimately cause you harm.

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