It can be pretty daunting to go out to gatherings and meet new people. This makes life even more difficult for people to find a significant other; someone you want to get to know and spend time with. Dating has been a way for people to connect with another in an intimate and meaningful way.
However, the internet is a spacious playground and provides a vast network of websites and services to bring like-minded people closer together. This is especially true when it comes to online dating; with apps like Tinder and Match having more than 50 million users worldwide, it comes as no surprise that people still find a way to mingle that doesn’t involve a mutual friend setting them up.
As with anything that involves human interaction, texting up strangers can get awkward. Here are plenty of tips that you might find useful in landing a date online.
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Online Dating Tips: Profile Customization, Chatting, Safety, and More
| # | Tip |
|---|---|
| Messaging | |
| 1 | Never initiate a conversation with a basic "Hey." Be creative. Nobody likes a dry conversation! |
| 2 | Talk to others how you'd like to be treated. Be respectful and imagine the person is in front of you; if you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it on chat. |
| 3 | When you're online, showing off or exaggerating your achievements might seem like a good idea. It's not. Be real; more importantly, be yourself. |
| 4 | Keep the conversation light by using emojis. Remember, your goal is to be playful and move things forward. |
| 5 | Find common ground. Try to find activities that both of you enjoy; this makes it feel like a discussion between two friends. |
| 6 | Know your match's age. Studies show that certain age groups are inclined to answer some question more than others. |
| 7 | Reference their profile. It shows you are interested in them as an individual. |
| 8 | Sure, looks aren't everything, but it's certainly a big part of online dating, so share a compliment or two on their pictures. |
| 9 | Make sure that both of you live in the same city. It would make dating a lot easier. |
| 10 | Don't push your luck. Always know when to cut off a conversation and go offline. You don't want to look like a drag. |
| Personalize Your Profile | |
| 11 | Want your profile to stand out? Write a captivating first sentence displaying your positive character traits. |
| 12 | Show the reader what you are interested in. If you like surfing, add a picture of yourself doing that. |
| 13 | Do not be vague when describing hobbies. If you like traveling; be specific. Travel where, what country, what activity? The key lies in the details. |
| 14 | Never use your profile caption to convey negativity or pessimism. It will turn people away. |
| 15 | Never write too much in your bio. It might make you seem desperate. |
| 16 | Tell a fascinating story about yourself. Something light, funny, and most importantly something that highlights your personality. |
| 17 | Double-check your spellings. Most people look past typos, but don't risk potentially turning someone off. |
| 18 | Recently, many people are looking for vaccinated individuals to chat with. Let them know your status in your profile. |
| Pictures and Username | |
| 19 | Your profile picture should be clear and, needless to say, just of you. Group pictures leave others confused. How will anyone know who you are? |
| 20 | It's a good rule of thumb to upload 3 or more pictures of yourself. But uploading 10 pictures would be going overboard. |
| 21 | Do not use half-naked photos. You might think they look appealing, but they usually don't work. |
| 22 | Your username is usually the first thing people might notice. Be original and stand out from the crowd. |
| 23 | Having a username that starts with a letter in the first half of the alphabet helps. You will appear higher in alphabetical search results. |
| 24 | Some site also give an option of having a profile headline. If it does, make it clever and witty to capture attention. |
| 25 | Make your profile 70% about you and 30% about what you're looking for. Experts find this to be the ideal balance. |
| Finding the Right Match | |
| 26 | Avoid the suggested matches made by the algorithm. Usually they are people who are online the most and guaranteed to respond. |
| 27 | Make sure to take advantage of the search function, especially if you are looking to find particular people. |
| 28 | Look at the picture. If it is unclear, too glamorous or taken with a group, it's better just to keep scrolling. |
| 29 | Read through the profile carefully. If it isn't completed, then odds are that they are not serious about dating. |
| 30 | If someone messages first, make sure it is not something generic like "Hi" or "Want to chat?" It's usually a bot. |
| 31 | If you have a conversation, skim through it and make sure there are no single-word responses. It signifies that they are uninterested. |
| 32 | After connecting with someone, if they appear offline and keep cancelling plans or making excuses, it is a red flag. That's your cue to exit! |
| Staying Safe on a Date | |
| 33 | Do your research. Perform a quick Google search to confirm their identity before meeting up. |
| 34 | Go old school and call them up before a date. This will allow you to hear their voice and pick up verbal cues. |
| 35 | Carpooling with them on a first date is a bad idea. Use your own transportation. |
| 36 | For your first date, meet up in a public place such as a restaurant or café. |
| 37 | If you arrange to meet up with someone for a real-life date, let friends and family know where you're going and what time you'll be home. |
| 38 | Refrain from divulging too much personal information. Dating apps like Bumble offer this advice. |
| 39 | Stay sober. Avoid drinking too much and be mindful that your date might not have the best intentions. |
| Online Safety | |
| 40 | Keep an eye out for red flags. If you see them, run. |
| 41 | Ask questions. You want to ensure the person on the other end is legitimate. |
| 42 | If your potential match seems to defensive or angry over common questions, they are likely catfishing. |
| 43 | Online dating can be a dangerous playground for scams; avoid visiting links, don't send anyone money, and have your wits about you. |
| 44 | Feeling uncomfortable at any point? Perhaps they are asking way too many personal questions. Block them. |
| 45 | If someone fishy asks you to run errands or help them out financially, then break off the conversation. |
| 46 | Should you feel that someone is faking their identity or scamming you, contact the dating site's customer support and report them. |
| 47 | Stick to high quality dating sites. They usually charge a fee which means that scammers will steer clear as they can be traced through their card. |
| Make Dating More Fun | |
| 48 | Don't compare your date to your exes. Give them a chance to express themselves. |
| 49 | Learn something new. Every conversation you have or person you meet gives you a new opportunity to be better. |
| 50 | Have fun. Don't worry if you haven't found your soulmate yet, take it lightly and go with the flow. |
| 51 | Keep in mind that both of you are in this together. Be creative with your first date ideas. Show you're invested in this process. |
| 52 | Trust your gut. Deep down, you will know if the person is right for you or not. |
There Are Plenty of Fish in the Sea
Getting people together has never been easier with the advent of the internet, with Tinder users going on a million dates every week. They are also a great way to meet new people, get over a past relationship, and boost self-confidence.
If you feel that online dating is not working out for you, then you're not alone; but don't shoot the messenger. Go out and do something you love, and chances are you will come across that special someone.
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