If you've just joined Datepad and are about jump into free internet dating for the first time... congratulations! Internet dating is one of the easiest and best ways to meet people that you'll actually end up liking. People who meet online have a great chance at a happy life together, because their bond is based more on who they are than just what they looked like across a crowded bar (though looks matter online just as they do everywhere else!).
For those who haven't been members of internet dating sites in the past, there are a few things you need to do to prepare for the process. And the more time and effort you put into preparing, the better your results will be.
Want to be able to hit the ground running here at Datepad? Read on for some preparation tips for first-time internet daters (or for veterans who need a bit of a recap!).
Take photos.
One of the most important elements of your Datepad profile is going to be your photo gallery. You'll want to use several recent photographs on your profile, showing you both full-face and full-body. And while you might have some photographs just lying around that work great, you might not have any you truly love. To prepare yourself mentally and practically for internet dating, it can be a lot of fun to have a little photo session. Especially if you don't have many accurate, recent photos, ask a friend to take photos of you with a digital camera. Try different expressions and different positions, and have fun with it. Putting together a little photo portfolio of who you are can give you a great little boost of confidence when it comes time to prepare your profile.
Open up an email address.
Depending on the internet dating site you use and how you prefer to go about the process, you may end up exchanging email addresses with people you meet online. Be sure to prepare an email address that doesn't include your full name that you can use for internet dating. You generally don't want to use your primary email address or your work email for dating online.
Install an instant messenger system.
Some of the better internet dating sites, such as Datepad, have a personal instant messaging system integrated right into the site. But others do not. If you plan to do a lot of chatting with prospective dates before meeting them in person (or even after), it's important to have an easy way to do that chatting. Different people you connect with will have different preferences when it comes to instant communication. It might be a good idea to set up several accounts with several different instant messaging systems, such as AIM, Yahoo, etc. Already have accounts set up with several IM services? Then create new usernames specifically for dating, and avoid using your primary user name.
Even better, think about buying and installing a microphone, as well. Lots of different programs allow you to voice chat online for free without ever having to give out your home or mobile number.
Decide what you want.
One of most important elements of preparing to start dating online is to do a little soul searching. Most people come to sites like Datepad because they're lonely and a bit disillusioned with traditional dating and relationships. So before you even start chatting with prospective dates online, you need to decide what you want in a partner. What didn't work in your last relationships, and why? What are you willing to compromise about, and what are the deal breakers in a potential partner? The more you know about what to look for in a potential mate, the easier it will be to find him or her. And the less likely you'll be to end up with the wrong person (again).
Decide who you are.
When you join an internet dating site, you might be tempted to just jump right in and start on your profile. But your profile is incredibly important and should be written with care. Before writing down a thing, take the time to figure out how you want to present yourself. Try to come to the essence of who, really, you are. Then take the time to present yourself that way, adding details as you go. If you have a good basic blueprint of who you honestly are and how you want to be seen, filling in the rest will be a cinch.
