Life-Health-Happiness

Online dating can be a great way to meet new people and find potential partners. You have to know a few tips first before going to the internet to stay safe and get rid of the common risks and pitfalls. Some people have fallen prey to dishonest persons online so you also have to keep an eye out for possible tricks and scams. Knowing where to go and who to talk to are essential for your success. Here are some tips on how to have a great date online.

The Best Service

There are thousands of online dating services available on the internet. Some websites particularly cater to a certain age group, such as teenagers, or people 40 years and above, depending on what you need. Some sites might only allow female registrants so make sure that you’re being honest when filling out online forms and registering. Even though you do not need to put in all your personal information right away, you have to at least put in the basics, like gender, country of origin and preference.

The Safe Service

Since there are so many websites and online dating services to choose from you have to check out the features first and read the objectives and vision of the website to determine if it is the right one for you. You should always keep personal information secret. Read the FAQs or frequently asked questions page to get quick tips on how to browse through the site and make the most out of their services. You will also be given tips on how to stay safe and keep your profile private to some individuals.

Writing Your Profile

You should not skip the profile creation part so you can get great potential partners. Most internet users will not be interested in you if you do not have a recent profile picture or do not place at least some description about yourself. You should include some interesting things that will entice others to communicate. Be attractive online as if you were dressing up for a real date. You can include your hobbies, sports and other interests to increase the chances of finding someone you can share things with. You can include quotes, poems, and other interesting material to keep your profile updated.

Online Scams

Always be careful so that you do not become the victim of online dating scams. Some dishonest individuals will try to come to you asking for personal information and relating the conversation to relationships and dating, only to try and launder some money from your bank or PayPal account. You should get to know the person first before you provide more specific information about yourself. Also avoid using webcams or giving out your address and contact number until after you’ve known the person for quite some time. If you want to meet the person, you should inform a family member or friend and get complete information from him before doing so. Chat and hone down your options before deciding to meet.

The online dating scene is quite fascinating, since you have to know a few do’s and don’ts to be safe and successful. There are several individuals who successfully found the love of their life online. You should try out a few web sites and get to know the person first before attempting to meet in person. The rules for online dating may be adjusted depending on the needs of the person. Here are some more tips and guidelines on how to date effectively.

Fixing Your Personal Data

Post a recent photo and always write an honest description and profile. You will increase the chances of getting a person who is actually interested in you by being honest. It will also be easier on your part in the future when the time comes that you actually meet. You should also put only basic information and be wary about people who might use your identification for unscrupulous activities. You may choose not to fill out other types of information such as your home address and telephone number.

Identifying Terms

Be careful about some terms and words that people use to describe themselves. When dating online, you should try to lower your expectations to avoid future disappointment. Watch out for people pretending to have very classy jobs or having a very attractive physical appearance. You should try to do your research by browsing through his page and asking other people who he might have dealt with before.

Lowering Your Expectations

You should try to keep things real and practical when searching for potential dates on the internet. You can try reducing a few inches from his real height. You can try adding extra pounds to the weight he posted and try to divide his declared income into two. Add more years to his age. Would he still be as attractive? Would you still like to spend time with him? If your answer is no, you should try to look for other options.

Photo Rules

Do not judge a person online by how he looks on his profile picture. In fact, some individuals discovered that they usually land on the most gorgeous ones after they’ve shown that they’re not that particular about looks or are not wholly interested in physical appearance. Some people online will want to give you tests to find out if you’re really worth the person they’re searching for. You may update your photo every once in a while but avoid putting too many that can be the subject of identity theft and other dishonest online activities.

Taking Your Time

Take matters slowly. Remember that there are thousands of potential dates in hundreds of online dating sites on the web. You should talk to him for a few weeks or months before deciding to meet in person. You should also find out more about him like his hobbies, his activities and family background. You can stay safe by going with a friend during your first meeting. Find out if the chemistry is the same when meeting in person and when talking on the internet.

Thousands of people have successfully found true love online by following a few rules and guidelines. If you truly want to make an impression, you have to be both practical and honest. Know your limitations and also learn how to manage your expectations when meeting someone on the internet. It is important that you continue to learn from successful couples and gauge the websites you visit. Here are some more tips to get you started.

Finding the Best Service

You should first identify your needs and what your objectives are for trying an online dating service. Do you only wish to limit yourself by communicating solely on the internet? Do you intend to build meaningful and lasting relationships? Are you looking for someone in particular? Do you feel that you’ll find true love or the person you’re going to marry online? You should choose the right type of service that matches your personal goals and ideals.

The Types

There are general online dating services that give you the opportunity to see every person who has placed a profile with the main intention of finding a new date. Some great examples are FriendFinder.com and Match.com. The second type is relationship services, which match you with other people online based on compatibility tests. These are more inclined to find you partners for life or the marrying types. Some of the best examples include Chemistry.com and eHarmony.com.

More Types

The third kind includes social network services. These are usually free and will let you create a network or base of friends and contacts so you will eventually be linked to a particular person romantically. The good thing about social networking sites is you can browse the person’s profile to know more about her such as her hobbies, interests, kind of music, etc. Some of the best examples include Facebook.com, MySpace.com and Friendster.com. The fourth type includes niche dating services. These are particularly aimed at bringing people closer to each other. They might target a certain group of people such as rich and single individuals, older people or animal lovers. Good examples are Age Match.com, Senior Match.com and Green Friends.com.

You can also try the fifth kind, merging online dating services that mix online dating with applications available off the web. You can use the various feature and capabilities to present yourself well and allow access to certain individuals you wish to communicate with. Some of the best examples are Chick n Chit and Peek a Bio. You can send newsletters and post cards to special persons.

Finding the Best

Regardless of what type of service you invest in, it is always important that you stay safe by asking for referrals if there’s a particular person you’re interested in. Update your information and be truthful when conversing so that you don’t have to pretend once you get to meet in person. Use new photos and try to expand your choices so you can get to know a lot of potential dates before you choose which one is the best for you.

If you’ve never tried online dating before, there are a few rules you have to know about. These are made to help you stay safe as well as have a great time on the internet. Remember that you should try as much to enjoy making many friends. Don’t worry so much about rushing to find your special someone. Chances are, he’ll just come along when you least expect it. Here are some useful guidelines from the experts on how to do it right.

Widen Your Perspective

Do not immediately rush to meet the first few persons you meet at an online dating service. You should try several dating services first and talk to hundreds of people, making several friends in the process. Talk to both men and women so you’ll know more about the system and how things work online. You can feel free to write blogs, shout outs and quotes. Share interesting ideas and stuff you find online to make your profile very interesting. You should also do trial versions first before you decide to join as a regular member. Broaden your choices and take your time so you can increase the possibility of finding Mr. Right.

Don’t Get Involved Yet

Making friends is your first goal, not finding a love interest. A good friend online might eventually turn out to be a great potential partner but you will need time to observe this. You should focus more on learning about the tools and features made available to you by your chosen online dating site. Make use of instant messaging, email and chatrooms. Get tips on how to update your profile and make sure you put in some interesting things to make as many friends as possible. You should also take time to surf other profiles to see if there’s someone who has the same interests as you.

Lower Your Expectations

Too many people make the mistake of hoping to land someone who looks like an actor, has millions and has the best attitude to go with everything. This is very rare. You should try to lower your expectations and just discover more things about the persons you meet over time. You should expect to meet regular individuals with regular jobs without the time or opportunity to go dating so often that’s why they resort to the internet. There are also a lot of shy people online who are afraid of confrontation or just wish to take their time.

Don’t Reveal Everything

You have to take it easy on yourself, especially if you’re now resorting to the internet because you got hurt before. You should try to say a few things about yourself and maybe a little about your background to have some topics for conversation. However, wait for the right time to divulge sensitive information that might turn off some potential dates if said during the first meeting like being heavily depressed before or having a clinical condition. Leave these out for now and just try to be casual and friendly.

Now that the internet is so popular, many things have changed.  We keep in touch with our friends and family through Facebook and Twitter.  We send an email now instead of posting  a letter.  Most of us know people all over the world yet don’t know many of our neighbors.  In this atmosphere, it’s easy to see why dating singles online is also the way couples get together these days.

One advantage to dating singles online is the access to a great many single people all at once.  There are many online dating sites with thousands of potential dates for you.  You aren’t limited to meeting people through friends and family – and let’s face it, how often does that really work out? 

The best thing is you don’t have to get all dolled up and travel to a club to find a new person to date.  That scene is fine to go out with friends but it’s not and never was the best place to find someone new. 

Another advantage is that you can learn a little bit about that person before you ever approach them.  All the dating sites have profile features, some very detailed, and people can include pictures and even videos.  You can search through the sites based on all sorts of criteria, too.  Do you want to meet certain age people?  Perhaps you only want to meet those within 50 miles of your location or maybe you want to meet someone who isn’t nearby.  The choices are endless.

The nice part about this is you don’t have to be so concerned with how this person will react or the fear of rejection.  It’s tough to get hurt feelings by someone not returning an email.  It’s a lot harder to approach someone in person and have them turn you down.

You can get to know the people you are interested in by chatting with them through email and instant messagers before you have to actually meet them in person.  You can take as long as you’d like to be comfortable enough to move beyond the computer to phone calls or meeting face-to-face. 

Some people, who aren’t comfortable with the new technologies, will say that meeting someone you met over the internet is dangerous.  That seems silly, though.  How is it safer to go on a date with some person that gave you their number Friday night at the bar?  Besides, as said before, it’s a great thing to work up to a date, anyway. 

Start by exchanging emails and asking questions about the other person.  Figure out if you sound compatible before you further the contact.  From there, work up to instant messagers and then phone calls.  Taking the time to really get to know each other will be better in the long run then simply going out on a date after a dance in a club.  You’ll know the person a lot better.

The world has gone digital, today it’s estimated that more people will meet someone to date online than off.  This trend is also showing up with  teenage online dating.  Many adults would argue that kids are in school and have part time jobs so they have many chances to meet someone to date right in their own backyard.  Whether you think online dating is appropriate for your teen or not, the reality is that your teen is very likely already meeting new people online so it might be good if you monitor their actions so you can help keep them safe.

Of course, not matter what your age, the most obvious benefits to online dating is the opportunity to meet people that you may never have had the opportunity to meet in real life.  You can meet people from virtually anywhere in the world and most any cultural background. Unfortunately the downside is that you don’t really know who you’re talking to.  That 16 year old from the next town could actually be a 40 year old from your neighborhood.  That’s why it’s so important to teach your teen how to be safe online.

Here are some safety tips to instill in your teenager, and this is the time to not worry about repeating yourself:

1. Remind them that they don’t really know who they’re talking to so they shouldn’t give out any personal information such as their address, phone number, name of their school, what kind of car they drive, the name of the mall they hang out in, etc.  Any or all of this seemingly innocent information could be all the information a predator needs to come into physical contact with your teen.

Here’s a case in point: there was a story not long ago about a kid chatting with another ‘kid’ online.  He was pretty careful to not give away too much information but he did mention the name of his school.  In another conversation, weeks later, he mentioned that he and some friends were going to the local mall. The ‘kid’ he was chatting with online was an undercover police officer and he used this ‘innocent’ information to track down the kid he’d been chatting with when he was at the mall with his friends. 

Talk about scary, it’s a good thing that it was a police officer and not a predator.  That teen learned a very valuable lesson that day, and you need to tell your kids about this story so they can too… a predator can use the most innocent of information to locate them.

2. If your teen and their online friend think that they’d like to meet, try to talk with them on the phone first, this way it will be much harder to lie to you about who they really are and how old they are.  Also never, ever, let them  meet anyone from online until they tell you  about it.  Once they’ve told you about it, the two of you can figure out the safest way to meet their new online friend (hint, it won’t be anywhere near your home or school).

Whether we like it or not,  teenage online dating is most likely here to stay.  Instead of fighting it (which is likely to just encourage your kids to do it behind your back) talk to your teen about the good and the bad of online dating.  Make sure they know how to protect themselves and let them know that they can always come to you if they feel uncomfortable about something that has happened.

Before you start your search for love on the internet, it is important that you know the right questions to ask first. Although some great websites already have a FAQs or frequently asked questions page, there are also some that do not give you that information quickly. You have to be careful who you talk to and exercise caution especially at the start. Here are some tips on how you can make the most out of your time and find your partner online.

Why should you go online dating?

The internet has made it easier for individuals to do different things like work, shop or even finding love. The advantage is that you get to choose who you want to talk to or date without even going through the difficulties like mustering the courage to approach her in person. You also increase the chances of finding someone you’re truly compatible with because there are tests and features that help you find the best and most suitable matches. You can communicate anonymously in the beginning, especially if you’re the shy type and get to know the person more before you spend time, effort and money going on real dates.

Does online dating work?

Yes, thousands of people have successfully found the love of their life by trying online dating services. There are thousands of websites to choose from depending on your age, preferences and location. You should read the testimonials and reviews of some people to learn how they developed the online contacts into great relationships.

Is online dating safe?

Yes, provided that you use the necessary precautions like keeping personal information secret and dealing only with people you already know more about before meeting in person will help keep you safe and secure. You have to exercise caution when talking to people on the internet just as you would on any other website. You should research more on safety internet methods and also invest in some programs that will keep you secure like anti-spyware programs and anti-virus software.

How do you date online?

You should first look for the ideal online dating site or service. Get a free basic membership then try out the different features. Try creating an account or profile then browse through the pages to find other people there. You can use the different features to meet new people like chatrooms, instant messaging systems, email and profile search pages. You have to spend time chatting with the person and getting to know more about him first before you set a date for real.

Do you get to spend anything?

At first, the basic membership is free. However, if you want to avail of extra privileges and services, you will be charged for monthly memberships of around 8$ to 35$ depending on the site and which features you wish to be added. You might also get discounts when getting membership for a full year. Compare the rates with other sites and see both the pros and cons of investing.

Thousands of people have successfully found love online. There are so many marriages nowadays that budded on the internet. If you’re hoping to find your true love on the web, you have to know a few things first and ensure your security and safety, knowing that there are also risks involved. Experts say that you can successfully date the right person on the internet without the common pitfalls by following these guidelines. Here are some tips.

Find the Right Online Dating Sites

Do not just randomly enter an online dating site, hoping to get the best and most honest partner. You should first ask for referrals from friends and family. Ask about the website and what the advantages are. Learn more about the features and read about the history and background of the website. Read the objectives to find out how they try to link individuals and if their goals match your ideals. You should also read the testimonials page if they have any to know how long the company has been running and the success that comes with joining their site.

Giving Personal Information

You can register once you find a suitable online dating website. However, you should also be careful about giving out personal information immediately. Experts recommend that you use a different email address when registering to the site. Once you start meeting people online, you have to ask the right questions and do not immediately give out vital information like your full name, address, contact number and other pertinent data. You are putting yourself at risk for stalkers and other online predators by giving out these data immediately. You should get to know the person first. Avoid sending your picture and tell them to settle for your profile or avatar photo at first.

Getting to Know the Person

Before you start dating, look for potential dates online by talking to several individuals. The good thing about online dating sites is that you can get some of the specifics, such as nationality, gender, hobbies, preferences and other interests so you can increase the chances that you end up with someone you are truly compatible with. You can find out more about person by viewing his or her profile. Make sure you ask the necessary questions like family background, occupation and location. There are plenty of things to start the conversation. You can also stay safe by being referred by another person you know online. This way, you can be sure that you only hook up with someone that your friend knows.

Before You Date

Spend time communicating with the person online before you decide to meet. You can save more time and effort by talking to him for several weeks or months until you can truly be sure that it’s best to meet and date in person. Talking online will open a lot of opportunities for both of you. This way, you can hone down your choices to people who actually interest you and share the same ideals.

If you do not believe that love can begin on the internet, you might want to try online dating services. Thousands of people have successfully found the love of their life by looking for potential dates online. You also get a lot of extra advantages by resorting to online websites. You can save more and keep yourself from getting hurt that easily since the risks are fewer. Here are some tips on how to find love online and how to keep it for life.

Proper Presentation

Create a very presentable and interesting profile. Put your recent profile picture. Put your real first and last name and city or country of origin. You may choose to include your age as well. Leave out other details for your potential date to find out for himself. You can include art, quotes, poems and other interesting items to make your profile unique. This way, you get to present yourself as a very fun individual to talk to. These unique features you add to your profile will also function as good conversational topics. Observe how others fix their profiles and follow great ideas to make yours look good.

Don’t Rush

Remember that there are thousands of online dating services. You have to try many first to determine which features and qualities you need the most. These sites usually give you free membership for a week or a month. Use the free pass to experience and see the network of people before you pay for a full membership. Paying for 12 months in advance will also give you added perks and discounts. You shouldn’t rush meeting your potential date since you have thousands of people to talk to and choose from.

Checking the Person

Take time to get to know the person first before you take the relationship to a whole new level. In fact, experts recommend that you make as many friends as you can online then take the time to observe which persons stand out and present themselves as potential love interests. You should check the profile and learn as much about their backgrounds as you can by conversing online. This is the only way you can ensure your safety and determine if the person truly is interesting and great to meet in person. You might wish to look for other persons who have already made contact with him or who have actually gone out on a real date with him so you can get both the pros and cons.

Don’t Be So Clingy

You should be open to the fact that all people who have invested in online dating sites have the freedom to meet and talk to anyone they wish. You should stop acting like a jealous girlfriend and keep him from dating others on the internet. Remember that you also have the same kind of freedom so you should function more as a friend and good conversationalist and wait for the right moment to decide and be exclusive.

Even though online dating promises you a lot of safety and security since you do not need to meet in person, you should also be aware of the many scams that are happening on the internet. Too many people have fallen prey to internet predators who are only trying to look for quick cash. More heinous crimes can follow should a person get your personal information. Here are some tips on how you can prevent this from happening.

Protect Personal Information

Do not give out personal information such as your full name, full address, contact numbers and cell phone number by posting these on your profile. You can be more general when creating a profile to avoid being targeted. You may place your first and last name only, not including your second name or your middle name. You should also just put your country or city of origin instead of the full address. Do not include contact numbers in your profile. Provide profile pictures that present you well. However, be careful not to include items that may give out more information than you intend to, such as posing in front of your house with your house number on the mailbox.

Get to Know the Person First

You have to talk to several person on the online dating site first before you decide to meet in person or act like his online girlfriend. You should start out as friends, finding out as much about each other as possible before you develop it into something romantic. A number of people have experienced being stalked by individuals or ex-online boyfriends because they did not take their time getting to know the person. You might be falling for someone mentally disturbed or who can make life miserable for you. You have to be very careful and check the person’s background first before you decide to get closer.

Ask for Referrals

You can start love on the internet safely by asking for referrals from persons you know. Perhaps a brother or cousin can recommend you meet someone they know through the internet. Make use of different features like chatrooms, email and instant messaging to start conversations. This way, you can be sure where to find the person or who to report to the authorities should he start to make you feel uncomfortable or move beyond the boundaries of the internet network. You will also find someone sincere and respectful by going for referred people.

Use the Necessary Protection Tools

There are now hundreds of programs and internet software that cater to online users, particularly those who invest in online dating sites. These tools will keep spyware and viruses out, as well as make sure that no one goes into your account to get personal information like your identity, social security number and credit card numbers. You should try to block individuals you do not wish to meet or protect your children from being targeted by online criminals by filtering bad websites and preventing spams and other external contacts and attempts.

Is it possible to find true love online? Do you believe that somewhere on the internet is Mr. Right also searching for you? The answer is yes. Provided you do your research and practice safe online habits, you can increase the chances of finding a great partner through online dating sites. Just make sure you also know how to build up the internet relationship well so you get long term benefits once you get to meet in person. Here are some tips.

Subtlety and Honesty

The rule is to be honest but subtle at the same time during the initial stages. This means that you have to put in honest information about yourself especially when filling out your profile form. This will help reduce the pressure. Some people make the mistake of putting profile pictures that are far from their real physical appearance, only to find out that their dates were no longer attracted as soon as they saw the difference. You should also be honest about your job, your hobbies and other interests. It will be difficult to try and match with someone if you weren’t honest at the start.

Take Your Time

If you truly want a relationship that lasts, you have to learn how to take your time. Too many people have resorted to online dating because they have been hurt in person many times before. The internet provides you the opportunity of staying at home and being yourself without having to put up a straight and happy face every time. This is the chance to get to know the person inside and out. Communication is very essential since you won’t be having any physical connection. This will also determine if a person is truly worth your time.

Understanding Communication Habits

Does he make you feel good and comfortable about yourself when you’re communicating? Do you feel the chemistry when talking to this person? Do you have a lot of things in common even after talking for weeks or months? Does the conversation go stale after a few months? These are some questions you need to ask yourself to determine if you should meet someone in person. If the conversation gets boring or you discover you don’t have much in common after a few chats, you can stop there. If you feel you can take it to the next level, get to know the person’s background before you decide to meet in person.

Knowing His Background

You should also determine how he feels about relationships, online dating and people of the opposite sex. Ask what his ideals are about relationships, how he manages his time, the reasons for breaking up before or if he’s ever been married or has kids. Ask how many years his longest relationship lasted and also about his shortest ones. Ask if he has ever cheated on someone and how long he has been dating through the internet. You should make sure that you’re dealing with an honest and sincere person before you get to meet and start a real relationship.

Online dating has been very popular in the past few years because of the growing number of individuals who successfully found love through it. You can also try your luck on the web as long as you practice safe habits. Also make it a point to present yourself well so you stay attractive to others. Take your time and hone down your choices before you settle for the lucky person. Remember that there are thousands of options available.

Create a Presentable Profile

Your profile is one of the most important elements in online dating. It will make you more attractive and drive the right people to introduce themselves provided you have the same preferences and interests. You should make your profile positive, interactive and fun. Stay away from negative statements and descriptions that will turn off potential dates like saying that you’re lonely or not interesting. Do not lie either or tell negative things about yourself until the right time, such as not having a job or being broke. You should try as much to update your profile and to keep it unique so you can stand out at least.

Rules on Photos

Always use your own photo when creating your profile. Refrain from using fake photos or worse, photos of models or celebrities to avoid looking desperate. You should instead try to post pictures of items you’re interested in such as your favorite movie, your pet or a favorite beverage if you don’t want to post your own photo. This will at least say something about you and keep the profile interesting. You can also place interesting photos like a photo of yourself with an animal or with a very unique background. This can easily become a topic for conversation or be a great icebreaker.

Rules on Communication

You should try to have a very friendly but casual introductory message or email if you want to get to know someone online. Provide useful information about yourself, although you will want to keep other personal stuff until later. You should try to throw in a simple compliment to increase your chances of being replied back such as saying you like her smile or that you’ve been to the same place as her profile picture background. Try to find ways to break the ice and present yourself as a safe and interesting individual.

Be Respectful

You should try to be respectful even if the online relationship does not turn out well. Do not abruptly cease communication or at least maintain the online friendship if things do not work out. If you do not like to communicate with someone, say it in a respectful manner and do not act rude around the person. You should at least send a polite message saying that wish to move on. Being honest is also a good way of being respectful to the other person. Do not lie or you risk ruining your reputation online for future potential dating. Avoid being a professional online dater and try to be true to the person you’re talking to.

It may surprise you to discover that the first computer dating services sprang up in the 1960s (the first was in 1957), long before the age of the internet. Back then, these computerized matchmakers relied on exhaustive profiles put together in each dating company’s offices. Later on, these may have included extra features like videotaped interviews or messages to be shared with matches that were interested.

For their time, such services were on the technological cutting-edge. Imagine how advanced it seemed back before the web came along: everybody answered the same series of questions, those were in turn fed into a huge computer, then the computer went to work and after making all kinds of computations it spat out a list of those who were likely to be the most compatible with each other. It was magic…for its time.

While it may have seemed advanced and mysterious, the reality is that most such computer dating services used relatively simple matching formulas. Perhaps without a majority of the questions really mattering at all, but rather added to make things look more thorough. The computer was the gimmick that brought people in. After all, a computer doesn’t let emotions cloud its judgment. It just uses logic. Of course, it’s easy to look back with a sort of comical reverence at these early attempts of electronic matchmaking. Especially now that almost everybody has access to a computer with an internet connection.

So how did those old computer dating services evolve? Today they most frequently take the form of web based dating services. Chances are that you have heard of a few of these, as they are nationally advertised. At first glance, these modern incarnations seem to make the same claims, and to be run in a similar manner. But there are differences. For one thing, in the “old days” you would have to go to the offices of the computer dating service to fill out there questionnaire, but now you can do it online, right from the comfort of your own home; whenever it is most convenient for you.

However, the differences between the old and new go beyond convenience. The matching process is now much more sophisticated than it used to be. This is due not only to advances in computing power and better algorithms, but also to customer expectations. People today don’t view computer dating as a novelty, they expect results in the form of meeting people that are compatible with themselves.

In the physical, offline world, new relationships often begin with introductions through mutual friends and acquaintances. This will usually lead to a few chats on the telephone, or worse…the dreaded blind date. Followed up with a series of phone calls until the two people involved are comfortable with one another. Online dating is different. It begins with filling out a profile which the dating service will use to narrow your field of potential matches. The next step isn’t a blind date, but rather a bunch of e-mails, instant messages or video chats. All of these things are done before you ever meet face to face. But keep in mind that computer dating services can only go so far; it will be up to you to build the actual relationship.

For many people, the hardest part of starting to date online is figuring out what to put in their profile. All dating sites offer their members a profile page, where each member can write about his or herself, upload a photo (or several) etc. What you write about yourself in the profile is extremely important: second only to the picture in terms of making other members aware of who you are and making them want to contact you.

Many people are keen to start searching for and contacting people as soon as they join a site. As a result, they either leave their profile blank, or write something quickly before beginning their search. This is OK if you’re just having a look around, but if you are serious about finding love online, you should take some time and make sure your profile is a good reflection of who you are. After all, it’s what makes you stand out from the rest of the people on the site.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

Not too long, not too short

Try to write a profile that is detailed enough to tell people about you, but short enough to leave people wanting more.  Writing a full length essay is a waste of time as most people wouldn’t bother reading it all. If someone did read it through and contacted you, you probably wouldn’t have anything left to talk about!

Be yourself

It’s easy to lie when writing a profile, but more difficult to follow through once you meet someone. If your profile says you’re 6’4” when you’re really 5’11”, your cover will be blown as soon as you turn up for your date. Also, starting a relationship with a lie is a sure way to get off to a bad start.

Unfortunately, even people who are honest and well-meaning sometimes lie unintentionally in their profile, by trying to write it in a way that they think would make them more attractive to other people.  If you want to attract a likeminded person, you have to be honest about who you are, your hobbies and interests etc.

Don’t be too demanding

Many people use their profiles to list the qualities they would like their ideal match to have. There is nothing wrong with that, but make sure you balance this with information about yourself. You don’t want to come across as writing a ransom note.

Too much information

Avoid mentioning past disappointments and bad break-ups in your profile; this is not what the space is for. Think: do you really want this to be the first thing people see when they look you up? Don’t let yourself be defined by negative aspects of your personality and bad experiences of the past.
Make it funny

Using humour is a good way to liven up a profile and give people a glimpse into your personality. Some of the most successful profiles are the ones that simply make people laugh.  Including a joke you find funny is good, as long as you make sure you write something about yourself in the profile as well.
Be original

Anyone can write “I have a good sense of humour”, but not anyone could make you laugh. When writing about yourself, don’t just use a list of adjectives. Try to go deeper and give people examples of what you actually mean. A good way of doing this is starting off with a list of adjectives and then using each one as a starting point for a few lines of text.

Upload a picture

Even the least shallow people want to know who they’re talking to. Not having a photo on your profile will make many people ignore you completely. Some people even specify in their search that they only want to speak to people whose picture appears on the site. Don’t worry about your looks. Different people have different tastes and not everyone expects to meet a movie star or a supermodel online. A clear headshot of you smiling is all it takes to seriously increase the amount of responses you get.
Be consistent

Make sure your profile, your screen name and your picture all match the impression you want to give. If you are a woman looking for a serious relationship, calling yourself “SexKitten” and uploading a semi-nude picture of yourself, is not likely to attract the kind of man you’re looking for. A man looking for a wife, should probably not use a username that hints about how good he is in bed. 

Remember: your profile is the first (and often last) impression you will make to potential online matches. Make it count.

Spring could be your season to find true love online! Spring is a great time to start online dating because people are feeling energetic are looking for the chance to start a new, fresh relationship.

So, how can you find your digital date?

If you’ve never tried online dating before, you may be a bit nervous about trying it out – but there’s nothing to worry about. So many people are dating online that you’re immediately part of a big community, and good dating websites have lots of advice on how to create a good profile and how to take the first step and contact someone you’re interested in. If you’re used to emailing your friends, you can date online.

Finding your date might be a little more complicated – there are thousands of people on every dating site – but paying attention to how you write your profile, and being specific about the sort of person you’re looking for will help you to narrow down the field of possible dates. Take the time to write your profile carefully; you want to make yourself sound interesting and appealing, perhaps with a touch of humour and something that will attract the reader’s attention, like a catchy headline, or a question at the end that invites the reader to send you a contact message.

It’s also a good idea to post a good photograph to accompany your profile. Whilst you should accept that some people will contact you based only on your photo and not on your profile, most people will take the two together and it’s always good to be able to put a face to a profile.

Once you’re happy with what you’ve written and the photo you’ve chosen, post them on a dating site and wait to see what happens. In the meantime, browse through the other profiles on the site to see if there’s anyone who meets your criteria. If so, send them a brief contact message to see if they want to get in touch.

It may be a different approach to finding a date, but it’s one that’s worked for thousands of people – give digital romance a try this spring!