Online dating can be a great way to meet someone without having to hang out at a local bar. Educating yourself on what to expect is a must- especially to be aware of the safety measures you should to take. 40 million Americans use online dating services. It can be a very successful tool and you’re bound to find someone you connect with.
There are a ton of different websites out there to explore for meeting people online. I suggest exploring these different sites to pick the right one that fits your needs. Once you choose which website you’d like to use you will need to create a profile. Creating a profile that stands out is priority since you are up against a lot of options. Choose recent pictures and not just selfies, show them body shots as well and action shots too. Don’t share pictures of what you used to look like. You want to give off a good first impression. Be honest! Lying will not get you very far in the dating world. Give some extra interesting details. But don’t share too much info. Keep it short and sweet. Be specific. Don’t just say you love to travel- share where you’ve been. Stay positive avoid any negativity. Make sure you update your profile regularly and check your grammar. People find poor grammar as a turn off. Get a friend to proof read it for you.
Once you’ve established a good profile you are ready to start your search. Don’t be afraid to speak up- send that first message. Keep it simple enough. It’s OK to not respond to each message you receive. It’s okay to say no to someone. You aren’t there to waste their time or yours. For obvious safety purposes, keep personal information out of the email. You can tell them that you work at a restaurant but you don’t need to give them the address. Once you have your first face to face meeting in a public place, then you can decide if you have an actual connection. Once you establish a connection you can share personal information as you feel comfortable. Make sure you always tell someone where you are going and their information. You can’t trust everyone these days.
Once you found a possible connection, try to keep the online conversation to a minimum. Have a goal of not waiting any longer than two weeks to plan an actual date. Once you’ve decided to make plans to meet someone plan to keep your first date short and sweet. Grab a coffee or quick lunch. You know within the first half hour whether you want a second date or not. If there isn’t a connection, it’s better to know you aren’t putting you or your date in an uncomfortable place. First impressions are everything. You get one shot to see if it’s a potential match, make sure you are at your best!
For more dating tips- including first date tips, take a look at my other blog posts.
Be yourself and have fun!
