How to Be Selective While Looking For Dates Online.
Oct 18th, 2008 by Sam Fulcher
There are more singles and dating sites than ever now, so why has it become so much more difficult to find the right match? Should it not have become easier? Of course it should have, and in many ways it has. The problem is with the way we approach these sites. Here are a few suggestions for improving your chances of finding the right partner.
For starters, remember to be picky. In the “old days,” you had to go out and find someone. Imagine how difficult that might have been. Today, we can sit at our computer and browse profiles, many of them with photos. So, be selective and use this to your advantage. After all, most sites offer free trial periods. During this period, find as many good, qualified matches as possible and write down their particulars. Don’t bookmark them, don’t contact them right away. Just put together a solid list, as long a list as possible before that trial period expires.
Next, after you’ve put together a decent list, you’ll review each candidate and contact them. In a lot instances, you cannot contact other members without a paid membership. If your trial period has already ended, then opt for the shortest-term plan available. This might cost a little more, but you shouldn’t need the membership for long since among that long list, your perfect match awaits and paying for a cheaper, longer-term plan will only resulted in wasted money down the road. The day you sign up for your paid membership, contact all of your candidates. Personalize your correspondence by incorporating their interests and showing how they align with your own (try doing this without sounding crazy or cheesy).
For another approach, consider letting the candidates come to you. Again, you can use the free features of many sites to accomplish this. Post as detailed a profile as you can and make sure you include a photograph (or several). When you start receiving responses, don’t upgrade your membership right away. Instead, let the inbox get crowded over a two or three week period and only then should you get your credit card and pay for the service. The key with this approach is to let as many potential matches contact you as possible. Be greedy and, of course, be selective! And when you do make the decision to pay for your membership? Pick the shortest-term possible and respond to as many candidates as possible on that first day. Write your best response as possible!
Inevitably, people always want to know how to write great personals “ad copy.” That’s right, ad copy. After all, you are promoting the most-worthwhile cause in your life; you! Simply, to write great ads and responses all you really need to do is push your energy level up a notch or two and try to incorporate humor as best you can. Step outside the box by doing everything in your power to not imitate the thousands of generic personal ads already listed. Stand out! Be energetic! Be funny! And lastly, make sure you incorporate a photo or two or three. A single photo will improve your response rate by a factor of seven or eight!
Whatever approach you chose tactic you choose, remember to be honest in all of your correspondence. This will not save you problems down the road, but will attract the right type of match, the one who will appreciate your true personality.
