Spring is in the air and so is love! In the U.S., singles are just as eager to find their special someone, but over 50 million people turn to online dating sites to e-meet before heading out on a date. With so much competition, how can you be sure to catch the eye of your new love? Follow these basic do’s and don’ts to make sure you are getting the most out of the online dating scene.
Do post pics! We all know love is about inner beauty, but in a cyber world, we need a way to engage the senses when making the often intimidating decision to yay or nay to a date. According to Match.com, 64% of online daters agree that common interests are the most important factor when reading through a profile, but physical chemistry is an important part of an intimate relationship.
Don’t post anything besides your smiling face in your profile picture. Let your expression speak for itself without any props or friends crowding the photo. Drop the “I hate my smile” attitude. Be confident in your smile, because someone just may fall in love with it!
Do make sure you take the time to fill out profile questionnaires. Plenty of apps and sites randomly match singles in their area with hardly any questions asked. Those who are serious about finding someone to share their life with should opt for sites like eHarmony.com and Match.com that require you to answer 400 questions to create a profile. It may seem tedious, but it takes more than enjoying the same music to find your life partner in a pool of 41 million people.
Don’t stretch the truth; it’s one of the many easy ways to waste time and money online. No one will be impressed if you say you’re a rocket scientist and turn out to be a science teacher. But the sensitive, teacher type may be just what someone is looking for!
Do give everyone a chance. While it’s always important to meet in a public place for the first few dates, you shouldn’t be too picky. Blowing off a date because he or she is not your type is an excellent way to miss the opportunity to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. If you do deny a date though, make sure you send at least a quick “thank you anyway.”
Don’t get discouraged! It doesn’t matter how many people you date before you find what you are looking for as long as you do it with respect for yourself and others. Honest online daters deserve your time to get to know them, but you shouldn’t settle until you feel you’ve met your match.
With the popularity of online dating comes the opportunity to meet people you may never have met in your own social circle.
Just remember to be confident and have fun!
