Some of the deepest connections in my life didn’t start across a table. They started through a screen.
Years ago, I started following Chelsea Peitz on Snapchat. She was sharing real estate marketing tips mixed with real stories about her life, and she felt like a friend I just hadn’t met yet.
For months, I watched her content, cheered her on silently, and thought, “She seems amazing, but she’d never actually talk to me.”
Then one day, I got brave. I sent a DM. My hands were literally shaking. And guess what? She responded. Like a real human. No automation. No “thanks for following” template. Just a kind, genuine reply.
That one message turned into months of back-and-forth conversations. We learned about each other’s families, our work, our wins, and our struggles. We built trust through screens.
Fast forward a few months later, we finally met in person at a conference. I saw her across the lobby, yelled her name, and ran toward her like a long-lost friend. She looked both excited and slightly terrified (ha!), but that sealed the friendship for good.
That was ten years ago.
Today, she’s one of my closest friends. We talk daily across multiple platforms. We’ve vacationed together. We’ve supported each other through every season.
And all of it started with one message.
Here’s what that experience taught me:
✨ Be genuine, not strategic. Show up as you, not as your brand.
✨ Remember the details. People want to feel seen and valued.
✨ Lead with generosity. Add value before you ever ask for it.
✨ Move it offline when it feels right. Coffee, Zoom, or lunch. That’s where real trust grows.
We live in a world where connection often starts online, and that’s not a bad thing. It means our opportunities to build relationships are no longer limited by geography. What matters most is how we show up.
Because when you bring sincerity and care into your messages, comments, and conversations, that’s when digital relationships become real ones.
So here’s your nudge for the week…
Think of one person you admire but haven’t reached out to yet. Maybe it’s someone whose posts always inspire you. Maybe it’s a colleague you’ve lost touch with.
Be brave. Send the message. Tell them what you appreciate about them.
Because connection grows where courage starts.
💗 Barb
