Today, we're releasing ten Golden Rules to online dating. This list was compiled over several months that consisted of reviewing and responding to thousands of profiles and customer service emails. We started off with a laundry list of rules and narrowed it down to the rules that we classified as "The Fundamentals" for successful online dating. If you follow these rules, your online dating experience will be a fun, quick and easy process. Each of the following rules will be discussed in more detail in future blogs, but for now, here's a quick summary of the 10 golden rules to successful online dating.
1. Be like-able: This is a lot easier than you think and the key lies in keeping your profile simple and summarized. Your profile paints a picture of who you are and what you're about. Paint a broad picture (I am an outgoing person who enjoys the outdoors. I spend my free time snowboarding, backpacking, hiking, swimming, bike riding etc..). Dwelling on one or two subjects may lead people to believe that there's not much other activity going on in your life (I am an engineer and it's my responsibility to develop a program that interacts with widgets, it's producers and it's advertisers to populate daily analysis reports). The more activities that you can add on your profile, the more incentive you'll give others to want to contact you.
2. Be enthusiastic: Your profile is your first impression. Keeping the tone of your profile upbeat and positive will rub off on others and will lead to higher success rates. Compare the two examples: I like the beach vs. I love the beach and find the time to be there as much as I possibly can. You're saying the same thing, except that one is more colorful and descriptive than the other.
3. Add a picture: We cannot stress this enough: If you don't share a picture, online dating will probably not work for you. Add at least one picture and pick a good one. Profiles without pictures are rarely reviewed by others and rarely get responses. Would you spend time sending messages or responding to messages that didnt share a picture? A majority of registered members upload their pictures because they're serious about finding someone.
4. Be honest: Fluffing a profile may seem like a great way to better your chances of meeting singles, but that's only if you're looking for very short term results. Truth is, if dishonesty is discovered, it will likely shatter any trust and credibility that has been established. Be yourself, be honest and let people like you for who you are.
5. Stand out: Sending a one line message may seem like a quick and easy way to gauge a singles interest, but according to surveys, polls, and feedback – members hate one liners. If you're interested in connecting with someone, take the time to send a message that lets the person on the other end know that you're genuinely interested in them. The best way to get results is to stand out.
6. Interact: Don't shy away from sending messages. You're here to meet people. Be proactive in initiating contact and remember to be yourself. Try not to send messages that read like resumes, lack in content, or are cheesy in nature. Initiate contact often.
7. Be open-minded: Online dating is all about getting to know and meeting new people. Having extremely tight filters may hurt your chances of finding true success. If you receive a message that catches your attention, reply. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
8. Use your best judgment: Online dating is designed to be a safe environment, but there are people that try to game the system. Use your best judgment when it comes to sharing personal information. Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable. If someone is really interested in you, they'll understand.
9. Meet people: Exchanging messages is a great way to break the ice, but chemistry is determined in real life scenarios. Trust your instincts! If you feel a connection, don't hesitate to meet them face to face. When you decide to meet with a potential match, remember to meet in a public setting.
10. Be patient: Online dating takes time. So long as you follow the tips above, you'll be sure to find yourself a match that's was well worth the wait.
