If one thing is true of internet online dating services today, it’s that you’ve got to pay up if you really want to play. Gone are the days of the free personals accounts with premium-level features. Fair or not, you almost always have to pay for a subscription now just to contact other members through an Internet dating site.
The fees at most internet dating service sites are reasonable. Joining won’t break your budget if you sign up with just one or two sites and it’s usually worth it to do so. You’ll have full access to the dating service’s matching capabilities, and you’ll be able to contact any member you choose.
However, you’re still forking out hard-earned cash, so it’s important that you know how to get the most out of your membership. There’s a strategy to working the system if you want to succeed. So, make sure you’ve got the following steps covered before you sign up and pay.
A majority of people who browse through the personals will look at your photo before anything else. While you aren’t going to be everyone’s type, it is important that your photo shows off your best features to anyone who definitely is attracted to your ‘type’.
Make sure your photo is clear and crisp, and that you are facing the camera. This doesn’t have to be a full-body image, but a good head shot is a must. Also, don’t forget to smile! People are generally more attracted to others who look happy and upbeat.
Put effort into your internet online dating profile
Your photo and headline will be the elements that draw people into reading the rest of your profile. Think of them as the ‘attention grabbers’. Once you’ve got someone’s attention, though, you must also keep and further their interest. This is the primary job of your profile.
You’ve got to make the effort to create an exciting and interesting profile. There’s nothing worse than a profile that is half-filled out, or filled all the way up with boring generalities. This is your chance to show off your unique self, so do it! Share your talents and dreams and everything else that makes you special.
Spice up your language a bit to make the humdrum things sounds more exciting. For example, instead of saying “I like long walks in the park”, say something like “I’d love to stroll with someone special on a balmy spring day while we plan out our next great adventure!”
One of the mistakes made by Internet dating newbies is going for the in-person meeting too soon. Remember, even if it’s just coffee, you’re investing time and money into meeting up with someone for small talk, and this is not the most efficient approach.
Instead of meeting up so soon, take a week or more to do the ‘small talk’ via email. This way, you’ll be able to determine if your match is worth pursuing further, and you’ll save yourself time and money on what would’ve otherwise been a ‘wasted’ date.
OK…the time has come. You have joined an online dating service or two. Now you must write that all-important profile… the one that will attract attention and reel in the man of your dreams… but where to start? Maybe writing isn’t even something you think you do all that well. Even so, you can do this.
The first thing is to be absolutely honest about yourself. You are looking for that man who will like…maybe someday love…YOU….THE REAL YOU! Examine past relationships and list the things that you liked and the things you did not like. If he smoked in the house and you hated it, you won’t like it any better the next time. If you love cats and will always want to own one or more, say that you are an animal lover and want indoor pets. Someone who hates cats or is allergic to them is not the guy for you.
Accent the things that make you unique. If you play the piano well, you really want Mr. Right to appreciate it. If you run in marathons, a couch potato is not a good match. If you love art, you really don’t want a man who thinks Picasso is an ice cream flavor.
Describe the things that are vital in your life. If volunteering is the one thing that makes you feel useful and worthwhile, you want someone who would, at the very least, support you if not join you in your volunteer projects. When you get beyond superficial things, you will attract men who share your values.
Invest in your online profile by hiring a professional photographer for your first online picture. This is so important. The picture is the FIRST thing men see. The second thing is that they read what you have written about yourself. Some online dating sites even provide you with a list of photographers in your area that specialize in online dating site photos.