Stay Updated With Your Friends if You Don't Use Facebook

In today’s social media charged society, it is common to stay in touch with friends through websites like Facebook. Although plenty of people have migrated to these sites and enjoy the interaction, many people still prefer to keep in touch in other ways. Indeed, some prefer to not use Facebook at all. It is certainly possible to stay updated with your friends and maintain close relationships without a Facebook account.[1]

Steps

Staying in Touch

  1. Choose a preferred medium for communication and use it. Some friends may clearly express how they like to communicate, while others may not. Some people enjoy emailing whereas others prefer more personal communication. Ask your friends about the best way to stay in touch and use that mode as your basis for ongoing communication.[2]
    • Reach out to your friends on a regular basis. Everyone gets busy, which may be why Facebook has taken off like wildfire. However, you can still remain connected––it just takes a little more effort. Carve out time to discuss the important things that are going on in your lives.[2]
  2. Schedule one-on-one activities. Book a slot with one friend at a time, especially if you’d like to discuss personal matters. Visit an art museum, meet at a cafe, or go to a movie. Find an activity that allows you to have time to communicate. If you go to a movie, have lunch or dinner so you have time to talk.[3]
    • You may see your friend regularly (at school or at work). If so, remember that one-on-one interactions allow you to get up to date on things you may have missed. Quality time together can be more personal and rewarding than time on Facebook!
    • If you don’t see your friend regularly, remind them that you care about your friendship, and that you would like to catch up in person.
  3. Schedule multi-group activities. Have a party or go to an event with a group of friends. [3]
    • Ponder the group dynamics and how everyone will interact before assembling your groups. Some folks like to keep work friends and college friends separate, whereas others find that people from different worlds can mesh. [3]
    • Remember that many people use Facebook to schedule events. You may want to extend an invitation and later send out a written reminder to those you invite to your event.
  4. Call your friends on the phone or video chat. A call with a friend can bring you up-to-date pretty quickly. Be courteous and find out the best contact times in advance.[2]
    • Sometimes the only way you can ensure that you two connect is to schedule a date. Whether it’s scheduling a video call or a phone call, make sure you put forth the effort.
  5. Send an email or a physical letter. If you live far from your friend, written communication can be satisfying, especially if you include a thorough update on your life. [2]
    • Letters and care packages add a personal touch to written communication.
    • Email has the advantage of instantaneous communication.
  6. Text your friends. Texting can be used to check in or to have a long chat. Most people use their cell phones regularly, so messaging can often become a real-time conversation via text.
    • With group chats, voice messaging, and the ability to send pictures, text messages can be similar to some of the features of Facebook. While not as personal as phoning, texting is a common alternative to social media.
  7. Connect with friends who live in other cities when you travel. Reach out to friends who live in other cities if you happen to be in town. Ask for hotel recommendations and allow your friend to show you around his or her town while you are there.[2]

Organizing Contact Information

  1. Maintain stellar contact information for your friends. One of the best ways to stay in touch is to always know where your friends currently live and/or work. In addition to their home address, maintain cell and landline information, email addresses, and work information. [4]
    • Obtain family contact information if your friends are under 30. Young career go-getters tend to move around a lot, so it can be easy to lose pace with new apartments, phone numbers, and cities. However, parents will usually have this information handy.[5]
    • Remind your friends that you do not have Facebook, but that it is still important for you to stay in touch.
  2. Update your own contact information regularly. Alert your friends if you change your address, phone number, email, or any other communication method. This way you will remain current despite everyone’s changing lives.
    • If you use email, send an email blast to your contact list (create a group so you don't reveal everyone’s address) to confirm new emails, phone numbers, and any other preferred methods of contact.
    • Consider using holiday cards as a way to check in with snail mail addresses. Physical cards are also a nice way to show that you would like to stay in touch and that you care about your friendship.
  3. Keep track of your contacts. There are several ways to stay organized and keep track of the contact information you have for your friends. You can use a physical address book or create a virtual address book through your email or other websites. [6]
    • A virtual or physical calendar may be a useful addition to the address book. With a calendar, you can remind yourself of special dates such as birthdays and anniversaries. Calendars may also help you keep track of how often you get in touch with friends. After having a conversation with a friend, consider writing down the date in a calendar so you can quickly see how long it’s been since your last interaction.
    • Mutual friends may also help with keeping track of your contacts. Stay in touch with other friends who have access to contacts that you may have lost.

Facing the Challenges

  1. Be prepared to miss a variety of personal updates. It's your prerogative not to use Facebook but be aware that sometimes this may leave you out of the loop. You may feel the need to explain why you don't use Facebook (work privacy reasons, dislike of the site, bad past experience, etc.). However, you will still miss an element of social interaction.
    • You might be late to learn about your friends' vacation photographs, exciting news, and life changes. Remember to ask about many topics when you do get in touch.
  2. Remind your friends to contact you using other mediums. Tell your friends to contact you in whatever way you prefer. It is important to tell your friends how to reach you so that you're aware of anything they'd like you to know.
    • Depending on your age and friend group, calling, texting, or using other forms of social may be the best way to ask your friends to stay in touch. Consult your friends about a method of contact that works for them too.
    • Remember that people can be forgetful. Be prepared to remind forgetful friends that you're not able to read their updates on Facebook.
  3. Prepare to give out an alternative form of contact information when you meet new people. Often people assume that everyone uses social media. When you meet someone new, they may want to add you on Facebook. Prepare to give out a phone number, email, or some other form of contact that you feel comfortable sharing.[1]

Tips

  • If you move, send a change of address/phone number both electronically and the old fashioned way, through US mail.
  • Make sure you schedule time to reach out to friends so that you can stay updated on what is going on in their lives.If need be, prepare a list of questions or information you’d like to share before your phone call or meeting to ensure you communicate what’s important.
  • Understand that you will be out of the loop, however you can still keep close contact!

Warnings

  • Don't give friend duty to your personal assistant. Getting email or a card from you, even though sent by your assistant (or spouse), doesn’t have the same meaning.
  • Avoid hassling your friends out for not sending you information. They might be absent-minded, too busy for individual updates or simply forgetful. Be polite when reminding them that you do not use Facebook.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.dailytexanonline.com/life-and-arts/2011/06/20/friends-without-facebook
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-secret-to-staying-in-touch-with-longdistance-friends
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.succeedsocially.com/activities
  4. ↑ http://www.askmen.com/money/how_to_250/280_how_to.html
  5. ↑ http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/relationships/professional/how-to-keep-in-touch-with-friends
  6. ↑ http://99u.com/articles/19852/the-complete-guide-to-organizing-your-contacts-building-quality-relationships
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Stay_Updated_With_Your_Friends_if_You_Don%27t_Use_Facebook&oldid=324989"