November 22, 2009: Online Dating: Finding The One For You
Have you been sitting a home wondering where the good singles are? You can stop wondering. With longer hours spent at work and less free time, single men and single women are constantly looking for new dating opportunities. Among these new methods are online dating and Internet personals. Both expand your dating options tremendously. Have you considered what a free dating site can do for you? With more than 50 million singles in the United States using dating sites, you do not want to skip this option. Here is a quick guide to get you familiar with the Internet dating experience.
1. Register for an online dating site You can join a membership-based site or choose a free dating site. Both sites are quite similar; however, membership-based sites typically have more communication features such as video chat and instant messaging. Most membership sites have a free trial period. You can test the site out and see your potential matches before spending any money. However, if you would like to contact other members then you will usually need to pay a fee.
2. Create an interesting profile Most sites will require you to answer a series of multiple-choice questions about your interests. Many will also require you to complete a profile. Your profile headline and essays are your marketing tools to entice other singles. You should include a brief description of yourself as well as what you are looking for in a mate.
3. Include at least two recent pictures Simply put, successful profiles have photos. Upload a photo of yourself that looks both good and realistic. It is horrible to meet someone who looks nothing like his or her profile photo. Including photos of you participating in your hobbies can help elicit messages.
4. Receive a mountain of emails from other singles There are so many people looking for love online, you will have plenty of messages to reply too. If you do not receive a big response, ask a close friend for feedback on your profile. Many sites also have forums in which other members offer solicited profile feedback.
5. Screen the emails and resumes (profiles) Just like with job interviews, you will want to screen the emails you receive. If an email sparks your interest, then check out the senders resume (profile). This will help you decide which emails will get a reply.
6. Flirt online Once you have found a few good singles, flirt with them in a few quick and light-hearted messages. Try commenting on their profile, ¿I see you like to travel. What¿s your favorite destination?¿ If their interest is real, you should get a series of emails. Sporadic and inconsistent responses are a sign of disinterest.
7. Arrange to meet After a series of emails, you are ready for real-life contact. Either of you can suggest the first meeting. Just be sure that it is in a safe and neutral location. Meeting for coffee is a great first meeting. (Do not meet for drinks. Alcohol will cloud your ability to asses the date and represent yourself well.) Talk for about 20 minutes to see if you like each other. If so, arrange a follow-up date.
Following this simple plan will help you successfully navigate the world of online dating. Happy Hunting!
This article was brought to you by the publishing staff at MydateLife.com, collectively know as DrDatelife..
