If you work at it, most people can be successful with free internet dating. There are so many different singles out there that some people are romantically successful just because of sheer numbers! But that isn't to say that some people don't do better at internet dating than others. If you start off right and take the right steps throughout the process, chances are you'll experience a lot less heartache and frustration than your average internet dater.
Want to streamline the process? There are lots of small little things you can do to make your life --and your dating experience-- easier, like spending quality time writing your profile and choosing your profile photos with care. But those are just the little things that capture the attention of interesting prospects. Real internet dating success --and avoiding heartache, frustration, and wasted time-- is much more dependant on the following eight things:
1. Get plenty of advice first
Not all dating sites are created equal. If you're just getting started, be sure to talk to people who have had experience with dating online. They'll be able to tell you what sites worked best for them, as well as what methods they saw success with. Don't know anybody personally who's done much internet dating? Then look for other daters on the internet-- there are tons of resources out there.
2. Know what you want
Before you even start getting to work on your profile, you need to spend some time thinking about what you want out of your dating experience. Are you just getting over a relationship and only looking to have some fun? Or are you looking to settle down for life with somebody special? Knowing what you truly want is important in composing your profile so the right people will find you.
3. Don't rush in
When you sign up for a new dating site like Datepad, you're eager to get started. I know the feeling. But there's really no need to rush into anything. Take your time with your profile and with exploring your feelings. The more prepared you are to do things right, the less time you'll spend doing them wrong.
4. Date safely
There are lots of articles on the web about dating on the internet safely. In fact, we have several great ones right here at Datepad. So before you get started, be sure you know where the predators and pitfalls lie, and how to avoid them. And when you do go on dates, be sure to take precautions. You're not going to have any fun dating online if you don't do it safely.
5. Commit to 100% honesty
When you do create your profile and start chatting with other singles online, you need to start off with a commitment to 100% honesty. While most of us tend to be fairly honest on our profiles, most people find a policy of complete honesty difficult. But it's the best way to find a successful and healthy relationship. The more prepared somebody is for who you really are, the better the chance that they'll like who you are.
So be honest about both your looks and your personality. Don't post old photos when you were 10 years younger and 30 pounds thinner. And don't pretend to be interested in things you're not interested in, just for the sake of pleasing your online date. Be who you are-- it may take some getting used to, but in the end it'll make the process easier for everyone involved.
6. Don't forget your natural reserve
Chatting online with people tends to encourage you to let your guard down. But while you want to be relaxed with the people you talk to on internet dating sites, you also want to use natural caution. Don't forget that there's a real face and a real mind behind the words parading across your computer screen. And don't share more than you would were you face to face.
7. Listen to your instincts
There are a lot of people in the internet dating world who aren't exactly on the up and up. When you come across somebody who seems too good to be true, they probably are. When you're online dating, you've got to listen to your instincts. Your subconscious can pick up on cues that your conscious mind will miss out on-- so listen to it when it tells you something's just not right.
8. Decide what's MOST important
Despite your hopes of finding that perfect somebody, the truth is nobody's perfect. Decide what traits are really most important to you, and be flexible about everything else. As long as you maintain a core of simple, important standards, being flexible gives you the chance to meet the kind of people you might never have access to otherwise. So don't compromise your most important ideals... but don't forget to be open-minded, either.
1sweetlady
53 / Female
Comments: 2
Posted on May 23, 2009, 8:57 pm
Good sound advice.I've learned these things, but had to do it the hard way.
