There are roughly 50 million singles in the U.S., and according
to various dating sites, 40 million have tried online dating. That’s a pretty
significant number…but how successful is it for finding love?
Depending on the dating site:
…between 17% and 23% of those married in the last three years
have met their partners online.
…the internet gives people access to more potential partners
than you are likely to meet around town.
...you have the ability to get to know your potential mate from
the comfort of home.
I think the biggest benefit of online dating is the ability to
really get to know someone without the distraction of face-to-face contact
(meaning you won’t be distracted by attraction or physical proximity). You’ll
have the chance to listen to what’s truly being said or conveyed over the
phone, to learn the life stories, to pick up on tone and inflection and to go
out of your way to connect without touch.
Of course, online or virtual dating does ask you to exercise
your communication skills. If you are solely relying on text or Email there’s a
lot of room for misinterpretation.
Some things to keep in mind if you decide to hop on the I-Date
path: -
1.
Pick the site that’s right for you! There are upward of
1,400 online dating sites giving you tons of options! There are general dating
sites like match.com and plentyoffish.com, or more marriage-minded sites like
eHarmony.com, PerfectMatch.com, or Chemistry.com. Perhaps you’d like more a
niche site like JDate.com, ChristianCafe.com, DateMyPet.com or
FitnessSingles.com. Try them out…if you’re looking for a perfect match then you
want to make sure to join the site that’s going to provide you with the largest
pool of potential mates that meet your compatibility criteria.
2.
Take the compatibility test. Although I doubt an
algorithm is going to lead you to your ideal mate, it will help weed out your
search list.
3.
Pick an appropriate screen name…Hotty69 might get you a
date tonight, but may not necessarily introduce you to your potential partner.
Your screen name is your first impression…maybe connect your name with a hobby
(GolfingJane or LesaRuns) to attract people with your interests.
4.
Break the bland mode and stand out! Like to walk on the
beach, go to movies and listen to music? Yea, so does the rest of the world.
Share some special details…music? What’s your favorite CD? What about walking
on the beach is so special to you? Don’t be afraid to put off potential dates
through your profile – that’s what you want to do…weed out and attract those
who could be a good match.
5.
Use spell check! Okay…that may just be a personal peeve
of mine (along with homophone mix-ups), but misspelled words and poor grammar
can be an instant turn off… u no?
6.
Post pictures to get attention! Please make them recent!
I’m sure you looked absolutely fabulous 5 or 10 years ago, but people want to
know what you look like now. And skip the bikini…if you put up a bikini
shot you lose the right to complain that guys are contacting you for sex
because you’re out there as a sexual being.
Your virtual dating scene still requires you to remain authentic
and emotionally available. Think about the type of person you’re looking for and
how much of yourself you’re willing to invest in building a relationship.
Remember, with texting, Skype, and cheap flights…. anything is possible!
