In a world of dating apps, it can feel more challenging than ever to find a meaningful relationship, let alone someone open to one. The good news is if you are looking for more ways to connect with dating prospects, your social network can be a valuable asset.

The bad news? In most instances, your social network won’t come to you, so you will likely have to work for it. Not sure what that means or how to go about it? I got you covered. Below are my favorite approaches for leveraging your social network to find love.

Focus on building connections.

This may sound like old advice, but focusing on building genuine and meaningful connections with people you already know is really one of the most effective strategies for finding love. Not only can this approach help you potentially connect with future partners directly, but it opens the door for meeting new people who could introduce you to your next romantic partner, potentially your spouse. By focusing on building connections instead of viewing dates as a means to an end, you can increase the number of people in your corner, even if you don’t end up in a relationship with them specifically. 

Ask people in your life for an introduction.

One of the best ways to use your network to find a relationship is to come right out and ask those in it to set you up. Though it can feel intimidating, this approach enables you to meet people you might not ordinarily.

As a general rule, begin with close friends and family. These people know you better than most, so ideally, they should have a strong sense of who would be a good fit for you. They also likely know some of your dating history and what kind of person you are looking for. 

After reaching out to close friends and family, expand your circle to include acquaintances, co-workers, and those friends and family members who you don’t see as often but still maintain a relationship with to some degree. Then put the word out that you are open to introductions. You will probably be pleasantly surprised by how many people out there want to play Cupid. 

Another group in your network to focus on, which many people don’t think to look to at first, is previous dates. If you have built a meaningful connection or even not so meaningful, but you still had some rapport with a previous date, and it just didn’t pan out, they might be willing to set you up with someone they know. Having your ex, especially after a recent breakup, set you up might not work out for you or them, but a person who you went on a date or two with but didn’t end up dating for long can be a great person to ask, so long as there is no animosity between you. 

Host or attend group outings yourself.

Another effective way to leverage your network to find love is by organizing or attending group outings. Dinner or drinks that include friends of friends can be helpful for meeting new people and potentially finding a match.

You can also attend events organized specifically for singles, such as those by Meetup or a group in your community. By attending activities such as a photography class, book club, or organized hike, for example, you can increase your chances of meeting those who share common interests, or, again, being introduced by someone you meet there to a dating prospect outside your existing social network. 

Utilize social media.

Whether you are all in on dating apps or totally against them, social media platforms themselves can offer another digital spin on finding a relationship through your network. For instance, you can ask followers or friends via a social media post who you may not talk to or see as often to set you up with someone they know or are acquainted with, or you can try to connect directly with people sharing similar interests. You can also approach people by DM on social media platforms as well for a more personalized and directed strategy.

Keep an open mind.

Regardless of the strategy or strategies you employ to meet singles using your social network, the best approach of all is to keep an open mind. None of these suggestions will work if you go into them with too specific an idea about what kind of person you are looking for or are deadset against. Having a few dealbreakers is one thing, but being too narrow in your search is another.

Love comes in many shapes and sizes. The key is recognizing all the possibilities that exist for finding it.