One of the greatest (and simultaneously worst) things about the Internet is that, online, everyone’s voice and opinion is equal.  If you’re socially awkward “in real life” (IRL), the faceless, shifting nature of Internet conversation may be just what you need to feel confident and ready to engage in new relationships.

Breaking the ice online is simple.  Here are a few ideas:

BLOGS:
If comments are open on a blog post, it’s because the author welcomes conversation.  Share your thoughts!  Whether you offer an anecdote, agreement, or respectful disagreement, commenting is a simple way to express your interest in what someone has to say.

FACEBOOK:
Many women have Facebook accounts that they use regularly.  If her account is public, you could comment on a post on her Wall, her current status, or browse through her pictures and find one to say something kind about.  If her account is private, try sending a friend request with a message letting her know you are a fan of her blog and would like to connect on Facebook.

TWITTER:
Assuming a Twitter account is public (which the majority are), you can simply follow her.  This will allow you to see whatever thoughts she sends out, which gives you many chances to respond and share your thoughts.  Remember that sincerity builds relationships.  You don’t need to reply to everything she says, just to try and establish a conversation; reply genuinely to tweets you are interested in.

However, just like conversation is easy to initiate online, it’s also easy to ignore.  Don’t get discouraged if your remarks are not replied to.  Sometimes the flow of chatter becomes overwhelming, but oftentimes, a blogger will send her thoughts out into the world just to get them out, not necessarily to initiate conversation.

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