The internet is a strangely beautiful place. It's the kind of "beautiful" that's subjective, where you have to tilt your head a little to the side in order to truly appreciate its hidden appeal. With the right social media post, you could be on your way to your next opportunity, meeting the love of your life, or even making a new friend.

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Have you ever visited someone's page and read her point of view on something, or maybe she posted a flawless #OOTD post and you think to yourself, Dang, we could totally be friends?Well, I'm convinced that some of us are still without our best friends because we're too afraid to make the first move. The worst that could happen is she leaves your DM on "seen", but that doesn't mean all hope is lost for you.

When I think about all the recent connections I've made over this last year, all credit is due to the internet. Whether it was through apps like "Hey Vina" or a simple, "Let's grab a coffee sometime," message, the interwebs have been the perfect matchmaker for friend connections.

Let's be clear: there is a certain protocol to follow when engaging in the shallow water of internet friendships. And I'm here to help:

Don't Be a Creep

There is a way to slide in someone's DM's without being a creep about it. Don't just flat-out say: "We should be friends!" in hopes that sparks fly. This may work in some cases, but it may come off as too thirsty. Start slow.

Send her a compliment. Comment on her new blog post. Inquire about her wash and go routine. Allow the conversation to take its natural course, and then when the window opens to exchange contacts, jump through it! But remember: there's no rush.

The Glass Slipper Effect

We all know the story of Cinderella. When Prince Charming set out on his quest through the entire kingdom for the one young woman who would fit his glass slipper. If you remember correctly, a lot of the candidates looked good and talked the right game, but when it came to the fit, it just didn't work.

Shooting your friend shot is quite the same. Not every girl you feel a connection with online is going to feel that way back, so don't force it. Do a chemistry test, go out, and see if you all can actually keep a conversation going for longer than five minutes. There's nothing wrong with trying, but if it doesn't it work, it just doesn't work. At least you tried though.

Get Personal

Just like dating, how are you expecting to get to know someone solely through texting and Instagram comments? You'll never understand her sense of humor, tone, or develop a natural flow between the two of you, if you don't hang out, or when distance comes into play, Facetime.

Not to mention that people can be whoever they want to be behind the shades of their social media account, so maybe the person you're allured to via her daily post isn't who she really is over lunch. Get personal and find out who they really are. Don't be shy. There may be some awkwardness to sift through, but once you all break the ice, the rest will be HERstory.

​Set Your Intentions

So you've gotten this far, what do you want out of this? Are you looking for the all-around girlfriend? A business partner? A spiritual companion? Say it! Sometimes we look for people to show up for us in areas that they aren't equipped to fulfill. Be upfront about what you look to get out of the relationship so that each party knows what they're getting into.

Build a Foundation

Every friendship starts with a good foundation and nothing happens overnight. Keep in mind that you're learning a whole new person with a distinctive personality and emotions, dislikes, and tweaks you may not be used to. That's okay. Give each other the space to learn about one another so that when it's time to really show up, you have the tools to be there for her.

*Article originally published on aleyarion.com

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