The Virtual Handshake

What does it mean and how do we achieve it with success?

 

I decided when I first became a work from home professional that I would take every opportunity to introduce myself and not miss any chance to meet someone new, I would make sure to personally engage with people even if I was doing it virtually.

In an age of information overload we tend to fall into the habit of those abbreviated words that become abbreviated messages which become absurdly quick answers to any question. We send and receive email that literally leaves out any sign of friendliness or genuine interaction. We have become a society of less than approachable conversations on all media and especially on social media. So here is how I created my version of the virtual handshake.

If you have become friends with someone new on any social media site it is time to reach out, introduce yourself and say hello. Take the time to get to know them by looking over their social media profiles and learn a thing or two about them. When you say hello genuinely greet them with a smile on your face, even if they can’t see it they can feel it and remember a quick compliment can go a long way to breaking any barrier.

By the way I do this exact same greeting in person so I am not straying from what I do out in the real world. It helps to break the ice and gets people to smile. SO my suggestion is to always be yourself, unless of course being yourself means you don’t say hi at all.  Be personable and fun be interested and interesting it can bring about a much friendlier conversation and frankly it makes for a much better handshake. The rule of thumb is to be genuine and yourself.

The Personal Handshake

At a recent cocktail party my husband and I attended I did not know a single soul in a room filled with professionals. But since I am a very social creature and tend to love conversation I never stand back in the corner and wait for others to come to me. I always pick out people in the room I truly want to get to know, I pay attention to the crowd and look for friendly faces and people who carry themselves with confidence. The more confident a person is in the room the more I want to meet them.

I will approach them after I have observed something about them and I prepare to introduce myself, I put out my hand for a shake and give a compliment or I ask a compelling question. Example: Hi my name is Toni Thomas, I saw you from across the room and I love those shoes, where did you find them if you don’t mind my asking?
I really did love her shoes and I really did want to know where she got them. Of course she smiled and was more than happy to talk about her great shoes and the great price she got them for. Never underestimate the power of the compliment.

The Virtual Handshake

So how is a virtual handshake different? I can honestly say the technique is the same but the approach takes a little more effort. In the world of social media we are constantly adding new people to our circle of relationships. In Facebook it is by adding friends, in LinkedIn it is by adding connections, with Instagram you have followers, and well you know how it works. Each one is a social media site but each one is very different in nature but I can assure you that a handshake is still a handshake if done correctly.

On social media it requires a little more time and effort. Let’s use Facebook as an example. On Facebook we have many friends, some we know, some we know real well and some we don’t know at all. If you are in the business of building relationships then a virtual handshake is very important to connecting with those unknown friends on your friend list and taking the time to do a virtual crowd look is much harder but can still be accomplished. Take the time go look at their profile. Scroll through and pick out something about them that you can relate to. Children, cats, dogs, motivational posts, inspirational posts, a hobby or one of the many things we see every day on other people’s timeline.

Once you have found a genuine topic to compliment or a compelling question to ask you are now prepared to make the virtual handshake. Example:  Hi my name is Toni Thomas, I noticed we are friends on Facebook and I love all the motivational post you make, thanks for sharing. I was wondering where you got that great scarf I saw you wearing in your post yesterday. I love it!!!!

Easy right?

Now how do we make a virtual handshake in an online event or party that you are hosting? This seems like an easy way to make a new friend and give a handshake. The attendees are in a virtual room that you have created, you have set the mood and they are watching (even if you don’t think they are) so never miss the opportunity to put out your virtual hand for a shake and give a compliment or ask a compelling question.

Take advantage of the occasion you created to make t heconnection.

The results will astonish you!

Cheers,

Toni