There are plenty of networks online for connecting people. You’ve got Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, you name it, they’re all meant to connect people who might not have otherwise been connected. And that’s all well and good, but what if you want to get to know someone in a better way than just online?

Just today, actually, I had a follower on Twitter, @Sullivan_Smith tweet at me, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND I ONLY KNOW ON TWITTER!” (Yes, today is my birthday.)

So what if you want to move those connections into the ::gasp:: REAL WORLD? Well there are tools for that too, and they’re fantastic for strengthening friendships, networking, and even meeting new people you might not have ever found through the mass that is online social networks. Check below for some examples of sites to use, as well as a list of D.C. networking and meetup groups that I’m involved in (and you should be too!).

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