Orbit Best Practices
Tips for building meaningful connections in your Orbit
The Four Pillars of Successful Orbits
Authenticity
Be yourself - genuine connections form when people are real
Engagement
Active participation creates momentum for the whole group
Respect
Value differences and create an inclusive environment
Patience
Great friendships take time to develop naturally
Your First Week in an Orbit
👋Day 1-2: Break the Ice
Do This:
- • Introduce yourself beyond the basics
- • Share something you're excited about
- • Ask open-ended questions
- • React to others' messages
Avoid This:
- • Waiting for others to start
- • One-word responses
- • Dominating the conversation
- • Being too formal
🎯Day 3-4: Find Common Ground
Do This:
- • Discover shared interests
- • Suggest group activities
- • Share relevant content/memes
- • Build on others' topics
Avoid This:
- • Forcing connections
- • Ignoring certain members
- • Only talking about yourself
- • Controversial topics too early
🚀Day 5-7: Build Momentum
Do This:
- • Establish regular check-ins
- • Start deeper conversations
- • Plan future interactions
- • Celebrate small wins together
Avoid This:
- • Letting momentum die
- • Expecting instant friendship
- • Giving up if it's slow
- • Comparing to other Orbits
Conversation Starters That Work
Getting to Know You
- "What's something you're looking forward to this week?"
- "What hobby have you been into lately?"
- "What's your ideal weekend look like?"
Fun & Light
- "Would you rather have telepathy or teleportation?"
- "What's your most controversial food opinion?"
- "Share your current favorite song/playlist!"
Deeper Discussions
- "What's a skill you'd love to learn?"
- "What's the best advice you've ever received?"
- "What small thing made you smile today?"
Group Activities
- "Anyone up for a game night this week?"
- "Let's share our top 3 [movies/books/games]"
- "Photo challenge: share your view right now!"
Using Facilitation Effectively
Adjust your Orbit's facilitation level based on group needs:
🚫 NoneFor established groups
Best when: Your Orbit is self-sustaining and values complete privacy
🔕 LowGentle nudges
Best when: Group is active but could use occasional conversation starters
⚖️ MediumRecommended default
Best when: Starting out or maintaining steady engagement
🔥 HighMaximum support
Best when: Group needs help getting started or re-energizing
Overcoming Common Challenges
The group is too quiet
- • Be the conversation starter - someone has to go first!
- • Share something interesting from your day
- • Increase facilitation level temporarily
- • Try activity-based conversations (games, challenges)
- • Remember: quality over quantity in conversations
One person dominates conversations
- • Actively engage quieter members with questions
- • Create space for others by asking for their thoughts
- • Suggest turn-based activities
- • If you're the talkative one, practice the pause
- • Use reactions to show you're engaged without dominating
Different time zones make it hard
- • Find overlap hours and make them count
- • Use asynchronous conversations (ongoing topics)
- • Share updates about your day for others to read later
- • Plan weekly "everyone online" times
- • Be patient with response times
Not clicking with the group
- • Give it at least 2 weeks - connections take time
- • Focus on individual connections within the group
- • Be open about different communication styles
- • Try different conversation topics
- • It's okay to leave if it's really not working
Signs of a Thriving Orbit
Healthy Signs
- • Regular but not overwhelming activity
- • Everyone participates at their comfort level
- • Natural conversation flow
- • Members support each other
- • Inside jokes and shared memories forming
- • Planning future activities together
Warning Signs
- • Days of complete silence
- • Only 1-2 active members
- • Forced or awkward conversations
- • Negative or hostile interactions
- • Members leaving frequently
- • No engagement with prompts