In this article, we’ll continue with the tips on how to avoid common mistakes and make more friends online.
Don’t forget about your profile. Start with a good username – it should reflect your personality, not just the name plus the year you were born in. Usernames are a common thing for internet forums and interest groups. With social media and networking sites, you may need to use your real name, which is fine too.
The next step will be writing a good profile description. No need for catchy one-liners that take hours, even days, to create. Make sure your text is well-structured, the style is appropriate, and it’s interesting to read. Also make sure that the text shows off your personality. You may want to include one or more of these things: hobbies and interests; life experiences, such as living in another country or volunteering; your views on friendship; what type of person you’re looking for. Avoid listing the negatives – people get easily put off by lists of “don’ts”, and you won’t get much traction for your profile.
Save time by using search tools. Many social media and networking sites will have a search tool. This tool will let you find potential friends based on certain factors (age, location, interests, etc.). A great timesaver if you’re looking for a certain personality type – or just a good match with your own.
Security Always Comes First
Nobody wants to be a victim online. But does everyone know how to protect their identity and welfare online? Follow a few simple tips given below and you’ll stay on the safe side while visiting various social media sites.
Password Update
How long ago did you change your password? Maybe it’s high time to do it? Protect your account with a strong long password, which mustn’t be written somewhere in plain view of course. Don’t forget to use different passwords for each social media platform, site, or forum you visit. And do we also need to remind you protect your mobile device with a strong password? Applications provide great opportunities for everyone including fraudsters.
Suspicious Accounts
Being an open personality online is only good to a certain extent. If you feel that someone acts suspiciously, for example, wants to make friends with you online, having no photo in their social media profile or asks you strange unexpected questions, don’t trust such a fake profile. Ignoring and reporting such suspicious people on the web should become a part of your security protocol. Fraudsters also like to pretend people in need very often and ask for financial help. It’s a popular trick, don’t fall for it.
Suspicious Links
Never ever follow a suspicious link online, especially the one marked as potentially dangerous by your browser inbuilt antivirus system or antivirus software installed on your computer.
Your profile picture and your bio create the first impression of you as a person and a potential online friend. If you still struggle to create a good profile description, we are here to help. Follow our 5 tips and make your bio stand out.
1. Fewer words, more meaning
In our fast-paced world, people get gigabytes of information every minute. They may even not have time or wish to read long passages of your autobiography. Your bio is a short introduction or a teaser. State the key points of your personality but keep the main intrigue for personal chatting.
2. Get creative
The internet is flooded with standard descriptions that no one likes and reads. Be original. Think of something that makes you unique, add a bit of humor, and avoid buzzwords. Ta-da, your bio is perfect.
3. Think about target
Think about your aim on the site. What emotions should your bio call? What type of friends do you want to meet here? If you aim for smarties, state some quote or your level of education. If you wish to have a good time together, it may be some witty description or a joke.
4. Show your real nature
The main rule is to be yourself. Fill your profiles with things that make you unique, like hobbies, fun facts, or personal stories. This will attract more people to you.
Despite the decades of internet, people are still skeptical about online friendship. True, the endless “buddy lists” can make us question its quality. Isn’t it superficial when we call someone a friend but don’t meet them in person? Let’s compare the two types, online and offline friends, and see how they stand against each other…
Online friends. These are the people you’ve met on social media and networking sites, in chats and interest groups. As many tend to be more open on the web, digital friends are your chance to discuss the issues you won’t be comfortable – or brave enough – sharing offline. The things to do with digital friends include playing video games, watching films or shows, listening to music, and any other suitable online activities.
Offline friends. Plain and simple; these are your real-life buddies with whom you can hang out, go to movies, take up hobbies, travel and so on. They know you better than online friends and can offer more support in difficult times just by being near you. Besides, you can be sure that an offline friend is a real friend even when you communicate on the web.
So, does this mean that offline friends are better? In some aspects, yes, but there’s nothing to prevent you from making real friends online. In fact, you should absolutely try it!
It is no secret that more and more people all over the globe prefer to spend their free time on social media sites. Thus, this paves the way for frauds and increases the risks and hazards. That is why it is necessary to put personal security first. Keep reading and discover five easy ways to make your social media profile safe and secure.
1. Use strong passwords
Your password should be strong enough, and it should not consist of the numbers or alphabetic characters only. Use a combination of symbols, numbers as well as capital and lowercase letters.
2. Change default settings
As a rule, these settings do not meet the security standards regardless of a social media platform. Thus, it is recommended to get rid of default settings and customize your profiles as much as you can.
3. Think before you post something
The information that you share, can potentially affect your security. For example, your post about an upcoming vacation could be a call to action for burglars.
4. Protect your physical information carriers
Your personal information will also be stolen, if your devices fall into the thieves’ hands. Thus, take care of your security – this is the best way to keep your social media information protected.
5. Delete accounts you do not use anymore
The owners of abandoned profiles do not work on their security, thus such accounts are the source of information that is available to would-be hackers 24/7.
Feeling lonely in your life? Making friends on the web is a great way out if you’re stuck with being alone. But how do you score more online friendships? Read the tips below to find out…
Common interests. It’s super-easy to connect with a person when you have something in common. Start by making a list of your interests. Do you love hiking? Travelling? Music? Your next step will be finding interest groups or forums. There you can connect with people based on common interests. Some services that host such groups offer additional features, such as voice chats.
Online gaming can also build bridges between you and other people. MMOs typically give you a great chance to find fellow-gamers to play with. Pick a game you’d enjoy playing – and start building friendships!
Pen pals. Remember this from your school years? Well, nothing stops you from trying this method as an adult. Check out the sites that allow you to write to people all around the globe. The best of them have powerful search tools and plenty of useful options. Choose which country, age and personality type work best for you. A good idea is to write to people from other cultures. Think of how much you can learn about the world!
In conclusion: the method that you choose doesn’t really matter. What matters is a starting point for you to make new friends.