How Real Are Online Relationships ?

On September 19, 2011, in Fun And Pleasure, Gratitude, Lifestyle, Networking, Social media, Success in 10 steps, by Oliver

How Real Are Online Relationships ?

Marseille (and Genoa), we're coming...

Isn’t it interesting that there are two types of network marketers, some reject online marketing and build their business traditionally, some more successful, others less. They might tell you that online relationships are not real or superficial. Sounds familiar ?

Others rely entirely on online marketing and on their awesome tools like blogs, auto responders and lead generation systems on “auto pilot” – they reject offline methods such as phone calls and meeting people in person.

Do you want to know my take on that ?

I don’t make a difference at all between “online” and “offline” – they’re simply two ways of communication that can enhance other, when done properly.

When I meet someone offline at an event, I will check them out online after the conference – google them, look them up on social media and send them a friend request on Facebook. All of a sudden, we’re online, are we not ?

When I meet someone online, I might set up a Skype call with them or meet them offline at an event, and then, we already know a lot from each other so we can skip the introduction part

Chances are we fit into each other’s picture we created in our mind, or we don’t.

In any case, it will be an interesting experience.

It occurs more and more that people call me on the spot when they watch one of my videos.

I call people who download our free MLM e-book “Success in 10 steps” – some from my local area ask for an appointment and I might share some product samples with them.

I am thrilled to announce that I will meet my friends, mentors and business partners from North America next weekend in Genoa and Marseille – for the first time and after more than 1 1/2 years of being in business together.

In addition to that I will meet some business friends from other parts of Europe as well, for example from Italy and from France.

All of these relationships were founded online, built online and on the telephone and now we carry them into the “real world”, isn’t that awesome ?

None of these relationships was initially created offline, but does it really matter ? No, not at all.

I am sure that I will do some interviews with Michael Dlouhy – the author of the e-book mentioned above – and other leaders from our team like Marcello Lisi from Canada.

So I will keep you posted. (First post here: Can A Weekend Change Your Life ? About Faith…MLM Success With Think And Grow Rich And Oliver Tausend Pt. 18)

I am sure we will shed some tears.

What’s the moral ?

There’s no such thing as an offline or online world, there’s only one world. They’re simply two ways of communication and we’re always dealing with people.

Is it far fetched to say that it might be a sign of weakness when people glorify one or the other ?

What about your experiences with online and offline relationships ? How did it feel when you met people in person you only had known from the online world before ?

I will reward the most insightful and interesting contributions from you, my readers, by sharing them in a separate blog post and linking back to your blog.

Sounds like a good deal ?

I always love your reaction, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback.

And (yes, here’s my call to action) please share this post with your Twitter and Facebook friends by clicking on the share buttons. I appreciate you telling others.

To a prosperous life,

Oliver Tausend
+1 201 984 5664 office North America (anytime)
+49 1512 9125216 office Germany & other countries (anytime)
Skype ID: guernsey2016 (anytime)
wordpress@olivertausend.com
How to marry offline and online in network marketing

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26 Responses to “How Real Are Online Relationships ?”

Marc Reiß says:

September 19, 2011 at 08:27

Dear Oliver,
thank you very much for this blogpost. You cut to the chase by making no difference between online and offline. Great moral: There’s no such thing as an offline or online world, there’s only one world. They’re simply two ways of communication and we’re always dealing with people.
I feel lucky for you meeting your mentors soon. Have a great time!

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 09:08
Hi Marc,

thanks for your initial comment on my blog, appreciate that.

I am sure we will have a great time

Take care

Oliver

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David Haines
Twitter: davidahaines
says:

September 19, 2011 at 08:56

This is a great article Oliver! I love meeting with people in person after I’ve met them online through some sort of social media, be it Twitter or Facebook. Usually, if we’ve agreed to meet, we’ve already established some sort of relationship/friendship online, so it’s much easier to “click” when we meet in person. I also can’t wait to meet you in November!! That should be fun!

Take care,

David Haines
David Haines recently posted..Why Mentoring For Free? (Part 4) Affiliate Money

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 09:07
Hi David,

thanks for your comment. The same here: Can’t wait to meet you in person in New Orleans. I have my passport, my tickets and the hotel reservations ready

You mentioned on one of the last calls: People might have observed and followed you for a certain period of time without you even knowing it…

Take care

Oliver

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MegB says:

September 19, 2011 at 11:42

Talking about me, I have to first seprate Relationships and Online.
As per me relationships means we get to know each other and get connected by mutually, emotionally, physically, blood relation etc..and
As per me online means on net, on phone etc..means connecting with other with the help of technology thus online is just an technology which becomes medium to get connected.

Now your question is How real are online relationship?
So the answer is for ME its 100% REAL no matter we meet or not. To justify this say for e.g. One of my cousins in bloodrelation who lives away from me and I never meet him physically but we remain connected online so is it going to affect our realtionships that should I say or claim that as we have just meet online till now so it doesn’t mean that your are my cousin for this you have prove and meet me personally then only our relation would turns REAL.

Thus relation are just relation they are never REAL or FAKE while ON-line and OFF-line plays an role of mediator through which we stay connected.

Take our example only as we are never going to meet or might be little chance of it so it said that what we are communicating or interacting wiht each other daily at this place is totally FAKE. But yes right now we just online but yes if we meet offline then this relation becomes more strong and longlasting. So online and offline will just give EFFECTS to our relationships not make it TRUE or FAKE.

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 09:06
Hi Megan,

thanks for your insights, appreciate that. I love the example with your cousin, it nails it. This relationship is real, no “offline proof” required.

Online communication is a great way to stay connected, that’s also true.

And well, who knows, chances are we meet some day in person, chances are we don’t

Take care

Oliver

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Zhyra Bonete says:

September 19, 2011 at 15:34

For me online friends are not a waste of time. I consider them as a valuable part of a freelancer’s networking or for online business. They always connect us with individuals and organizations that we might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect with.

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 09:02
Hi Zhyra,

thanks for your comment. I appreciate your insights.

Take care

Oliver

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Radu
Twitter: radu_dascalul
says:

September 19, 2011 at 16:47

Hi Oliver,
Important points in this blog post:)
The idea is to connect with new people as often as possible and interact, no matter what channel you use. Either it’s offline (phone, events, meetings) or online (Skype, social media, blog comments) now you can communicate your message with ease. It’s important to invest in that relationship, to nurture it in the same way a farmer plant some seeds and take care of them. The benefits can be enourmous for both parts

I personally make no difference between them. In fact, you have an advantage when a relationship starts online.. the offline connection becomes just a normal step.

Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.
All the best my friend,
Radu
Radu recently posted..4 tips to cultivate meaningful business relationships

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 09:01
Hi Radu,

thanks for your comment. I, just like you, make no difference between online and offline relationships. I love the analogy of a farmer nurturing his plants…says it all.

Take care

Oliver

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Brock Blohm
Twitter: start_networkin
says:

September 19, 2011 at 17:31

How real are online relationship? I feel that they are quite real. Like you said, online or offline – it doesn’t matter. A relationship is a relationship. No matter which way you build one, it still takes time and effort on both parties. They are both great methods, if you ask me .
Brock Blohm recently posted..How A Man Kicked Fear In The Face!

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 09:53
Hi Brock,

couldn’t agree more…a relationship is a relationship. Both methods are great, neither of them guarantees success on the other hand.

Thanks for your comment.

Take care

Oliver

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Steve
Twitter: stevescott1
says:

September 19, 2011 at 18:24

Oliver,

Great insights here. Turning an “online” connection into a real world one is something I know I do not do enough of. But every time I have talked to someone on Skype or the phone, or even exchanged private emails it has certainly worked to bring me closer to people.

You can get to know someone online but the relationship and trust level is strengthened with a real world connection.

-Steve

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 08:50
Hi Steve,

thanks for your comment. Correct, an online relationship will be strengthened by offline contacts – and vice versa…

Take care

Oliver

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Sofia Saide says:

September 19, 2011 at 19:14

Hey Oliver, the online offline debate is always an interesting one. Network marketers who use the “traditional method” usually don’t agree with online methods of communication and that most of the time is due to the fact that they don’t know how to go about it, so they criticize it.

As for my experience I think the online method of relationship building is such a valuable tool for connecting with like minded people. The form of continuous comunication the internet offers us could never happen if we just stuck to the phone or relying on other people to introduce us to other people. I for one love flicking on to Facebook at any moment just to see what everybody is up to, it is so enlivening to be connected to the world in such a way.

Really we are all connected to everything, and this never seems more true to me as when I do connect with someone who is on the same wavelength as me, and even though the communication is brief you can capture a person’s essence and feel like you they could be there right in front of you. I have found this with you Oliver, our communication has always been online, we have never spoken and yet we have have a great rapport and a wonderful cameraderie.

Have a great time at your event
In appreciation of your friendship
Sofia
Sofia Saide recently posted..Is It Wrong To Want More?

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 08:49
Hi Sofia,

thanks for your wonderful comment and I also appreciate our online friendship. I fully agree that we can capture a person’s essence even in brief online communications. The reason for that might be: “How we do anything is how we do everything…”

Well, why don’t we do this…what about arranging a mastermind call on Skype ?

Just let me know what you think.

Be blessed

Oliver

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Zhyra Bonete says:

September 20, 2011 at 13:12

Hi Oliver. Thanks also for accepting my opinion.

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 22:43
You’re most welcome

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Marcus Baker
Twitter: marcus_baker
says:

September 20, 2011 at 15:34

Hi Oliver,

When one understands that real people actually drive the online word then it’s impossible not to value online relationships in the same way as one values all relationships if you value people in general.

Regardless of how you know someone, the relationship will be real or unreal dependent on the level of interaction your pursue with them.

I am sure you will have an awesome time at your event in the US Oliver!

~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Procrastination – Is This An Alternative Solution?

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 22:42
Hi Marcus,

as simple as it sounds, it’s the truth 100 %: The online world is driven by people and not by machines. Even bots are programmed by people, but that’s another story.

I agree that the level of interaction determines any relationship.

Thanks for adding value to the discussion !

Take care

Oliver

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Nathalie Villeneuve says:

September 20, 2011 at 18:45

Awesome post Oliver

I to agree with you…I don’t really make a difference in online offline…like you said…They are different way of communicating…but ultimately, when you pick up the phone and call someone you met online or offline… you are connecting and adding dimension to a relationship…;)

Nathalie
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Comment on 6 Key Criteria & Planning Tools For Becoming More Efficient by Nancy Shields

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 22:40
Hi Nathalie,

thanks for your initial comment on my blog and your appreciation. They’re simply two parts of the same equation, are they not ?

Take care

Oliver

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Janet
Twitter: janetcallaway
says:

September 24, 2011 at 04:02

Oliver, aloha. Looking at the date of this post, it must be about time for you to meet your mentors, business partners and friends. What an exciting time that will be.

Oliver, when you think about it, be they online or offline, the people with whom you connected are those you have attracted into your life. To me there is no difference between the two except some you interact with online and the others offline.

So glad we connected online, Oliver, and look forward to meeting you offline one day. Until then, here is a virtual ((Hug)) Aloha. Janet

People are people wherever they are. It all about the relationship and how we build it.
Janet recently posted..2 Words to Change the World

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 09:43
Janet, aloha.

It was a wonderful weekend and its benefits are beyond measure…I will be sharing my learnings and insights from this trip in several posts and videos.

I am grateful and happy that we connected and Hawaii is certainly worth the journey. As we’re exactly 12 hours ahead of you, I often think of you…and I say to myself:”Wow, in Hawaii, it’s still yesterday…”

Take care

Oliver

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Robert "Bob" Wieters says:

October 10, 2011 at 18:50

I have enjoyed reading your blog since being introduced via “youdofollow” and have been a networker since the mid 1970′s. Have not been that successful until now and like you read the book “Success in 10 Steps” by Michael Dlouhy.

Thank you for all your time and effort in writing your articles. They are very interesting and educating. Look forward to visiting often.

Bob

[Reply]
Oliver Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 11:45
Hi Bob,

thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoy “Success in 10 steps” as well.

Take care

Oliver

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