How to Create Meaningful Social Connections (Even if You’re an Introvert!)

Creating meaningful social connections is the most vital skill to success. If you don’t know how to make these powerful bonds frequently, you’re cutting yourself off from the biggest opportunities in life.

And yet, most people don’t have this skill.

For introverts, this can be especially difficult. But even highly social people can find themselves without connections. And this phenomenon is getting worse — Americans have fewer friends than ever before.

The problem is especially bad if you are trying to start something big. Remember the adage: net worth is network. If you don’t know the right people, everything is much more difficult if not impossible.

So let’s break down great ways to create those meaningful social connections. Don’t worry introverts, these will work for you too!

Join a Pre-Existing Community

People like to get together. In our society, they usually gather around shared interests or beliefs. This is a great way to make connections, because you don’t have to justify your presence or come up with something to say. You’re there for the same reason everyone else is. Plus, in most groups, they’ll be happy to see a new face.

If you are religious, go to services in your faith. If you like a game or activity, find groups that play. If you are politically engaged, find your local party or an activist group with your same goals.

It doesn’t have to stop at things you already believe or do. If you are interested in a new skill, find a local class — cooking is an especially good option, as food has a way of uniting people.

If you live in a less populated area, it might be challenging at first. But I promise you that if you look, you will find the others.

Volunteer

This is like the first strategy in hyper drive. When you show up to volunteer, everyone is happy to see you. Seriously, every volunteering experience I’ve ever had has been incredibly positive. You also meet people who are super engaged with the community — leaders of volunteer groups always seem to know everybody.

You’ll meet a lot of other people, and you’ll also feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. There’s nothing like feeling that you really helped out others.

Follow Up on Connections

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for the other person to initiate. You might have struck up a great conversation, exchanged numbers, and both promised to reach out later. And yet, a week out, you’ve heard nothing.

Well here’s the thing you have to realize: they haven’t heard anything from you, either!

Shoot them a text or email inviting them to come grab a coffee or beer with you. Once you get in the habit of initiating, you’ll find that some people are happy to be invited, others are super busy and can’t always come, and some won’t respond. Keep inviting those who are happy to come out, check in once in a while with the busy-bees (when you do catch them, they are usually grateful for a little friend time), and don’t worry about those who, for whatever reason, don’t respond.

One of the best ways to do this is by hosting events and dinners. This brings multiple people together at the same time. That special human alchemy can lead to really big things. And it also sets you up as a key point in a blossoming social network. If you get into the habit of not just making connections with other people but connecting people you know with each other — it’s like a networking superpower.

Follow up is key to building long lasting connections. Without this step, no matter how many people you meet, you’ll never build a network.