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Being Successful with Your Foray into Online
Dating
Online dating is a brave new world, and a lot of people avoid
it because they aren’t quite sure HOW to do it. So many
websites, so much jargon – how can a newcomer learn the ropes?
Well, the good news is that you can relax. New people join the
online dating pool in droves every day, so you’ll never be the
new kid on the block for long. Plus, it couldn’t be easier.
These tips will help you make sure your online dating
experience is a positive one, so you’ll be that much closer to
finding that perfect date.
One of the first keys to success in online dating is to find a
strategy that helps you stand out from the crowd. Because
Internet dating is so jam packed with people, if you don’t draw
some attention your way, your perfect partner can go cruising
right past your profile. The only way you can stand out right
off the bat has to do with the headline you give to your
profile. When people log into a dating site and start checking
people out, they get a list of photos (maybe) and a list of
profile headlines. Think of a headline that will make people do
a double take. A simple “hello” or “looking for new friends” is
not going to cut it. Hello is a given when you meet someone
new, and every single person on the site is looking for new
friends. Instead, try to inject a little bit of humor or
personality into your headline. It will tell people that you
are interesting and that you have taken the time to put your
best foot forward.
Wasting time with people who are never going to be a love match
for you is another problem with online dating, and your
headline can help with that as well. Put a little something in
your headline about what you are looking for in a mate. Do you
only want to hear from people who live in your town, or can you
not tolerate dating anyone younger than a certain age. Put it
out there in headline, so you only get responses from people
who make would make your initial cuts and everyone who doesn’t
fit the bill can move on and look for people more suited to
them.
With your profile itself, look for a balance of engaging and
reserved. You want to be engaging enough to let your potential
suitors know a little bit about you, what you like to do and
what you are looking for in a partner so they know if they have
anything in common with you. You want to be reserved in areas
that could compromise your safety. Leave out info that could
help people zero in on your home address or find out your place
of business. Make sure you have a generic email address you use
only for your online dating that doesn’t include your name or
place of business, so you can control who gets access to you
more effectively.
This point about safety is the last key to making Internet
dating work for you. Some people get a false sense of security
when they chat with people day in and day out on the Internet,
but the fact of the matter is you could email someone for years
and still not REALLY know them. This person is a stranger until
you get to know them in person. Do not give out personal
information about yourself to strangers who meet you on the
net. If you decide to meet, make sure you meet them out instead
of having them come to your house to pick you up, and always
meet them in a public place, like a restaurant or coffee shop.
If something feels wrong, back off. Staying safe online is the
best way to enjoy online dating.
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