During the past year we all spent more hours online, particularly on platforms like Instagram. Not being able to connect with people in person led many of us to seek them out online and suddenly the new business card swap became a DM.

For the last few years Instagram has been a  place for women who wanted to become influencers.  It also was also a place for celebs to give us glimpses of their lives. We learned what latest makeup we needed to purchase and how to wear it. It was where we went to see our friends’ pics and breakfasts and (maybe sometimes) even show off our own!

But now the Instagram woman is more grown up and creating a new life for herself by showing up authentically and ready to meet real people. Influencers are more transparent and honest, showing us how they really live. And career women and side-hustlers are rushing to Instagram with a new outlook, ready to find business inspiration as well as their ideal clients for networking and nurturing sales.

It’s like a virtual cocktail party, one you can enjoy from your home (and hey, having a good drink without having to change out of your pjs is always a nice evening, no?). This cocktail party is one where you can enter a room full of people who are excited to meet you and find out what you’re doing in business. You can meet those who want to work with you or hire you with ease and not worry about face-to-face interactions or rejections. 

If you really think about it, this is the greatest networking tool invented! You can create a beautiful feed, stories and to attract the kind of people you want to meet and look for those you admire as well. You can hit up anyone you want and say hi, ask about their job or ask for tips.  

Creating friends and meeting potential customers is at your fingertips when you are on Instagram! Whether you are new to a city or looking for a new job or clients, Here are some great ways to build authentic relationships with people you want to Insta-meet:

• DO comment with authentic emotion and words you would use to people you truly admire. Find them through other accounts, hashtag searches and on your discovery search page. People are likely to respond, even large accounts since they also want to meet other people here!

• DO also comment on the “stories” feature of others. Sure, you will slide into the DMs, but again most people who are posting want reactions from potential fans… especially when they ask questions and have polls and stickers. Have fun and again, be authentic!

• DON’T  mention anything you have to sell or offers about your biz or side hustle in these comments or messages. Use most of your time when starting conversations with others to be kind and offer positive comments and friendships. If you are creating your own content posts and stories about your offers, they are likely to see it and will ask when ready!    

• DON’T be afraid to offer that friendship to whomever you want, as well as block any unwanted advances you might get (meaning those fake and annoying as heck robots and slimy men, EW!). The worst that can happen is that you also get ignored or blocked… who says that even matters? Maybe you didn’t want to know her anyway, if she’s going to be rude to a nice person like you!

• DO seek out people who hang out at your favorite local places by searching the geotag locations list and comment on their post, asking what they like to do/eat/buy there and look for common ground. You will either have a new friend or learn something cool, either way… it works!

• DO search the city you live in, are moving to or will visit on a trip soon. Check out the places people tag a lot to learn about good places to work, network and search for new people to meet on IG.

• DO save your geographic hashtag searches and even turn on notifications to see posts in your feed and discover new people you might want to meet!

Alright, now that we know some DOs and DON’Ts for meeting and engaging with people in a new way on Instagram, I challenge you to use those tips to build authentic relationships this week.  

Be yourself. Don’t expect anything in return, but be happy when you get a good response. Share your kindness and friendship with positivity like  you would in person. Since so many of us continue to spend more time on the platform, it’s a great time to reach out and create new, authentic relationships online. Social distancing doesn’t mean the end of socialization altogether. There are plenty of people out there waiting to meet you. Have fun on the gram!