Are you putting yourself out there but not finding dates?
Are you sick of going in blind and not having a good time when you do go on dates?
Are you trying to escape the social bubble you’re in and seek partners whom you could never meet from within?
If any of these describes you, you are probably a great candidate for online dating.
Online dating enables you find like-minded, local singles who can both excite and invigorate your love life.
But getting from the digital realm to your first date can be a challenge.
That’s why I compiled four easy steps that you can follow to begin putting yourself out there and find the person of your dreams today!
1. Choose Your Service
The online dating process actually begins before you even make a dating profile.
That’s because the dating website that you choose to use in your pursuit of that perfect someone can either help or hinder the process.
For example, if you are looking for a committed relationship on a website that caters to people who are not interested in anything more than a random hookup, you’re probably not going to get far.
There are literally hundreds to choose from, so it is important to understand your needs first and then begin looking for the one that fits them.
There are even niche dating sites that cater to everyone from academics, country-folk, and even religious groups.
After you find a service that suits you, you’re that much closer to making relevant matches.
2. Make a Profile
Once you choose a fitting service, you can begin making your profile.
No two dating websites are alike in this regard and most use their own proprietary algorithm to find ideal matches.
There are usually options for adding your own personal touches to your profile and these make all the difference.
First, I recommend spending some time considering your profile photo. Most people will choose to click on your profile based on this image alone.
That puts a lot of pressure on you to get it right!
Thankfully, there are some proven ways to ensure you get eyes on your page.
The first is to simply put a smile on your face.
Not only does smiling make most people look more attractive, it can also say a lot about you to random strangers.
Think about it.
Would you rather meet someone who is happy or someone who chose to represent themselves with a neutral punim?
Next, add more photos.
Multiple photos can help people get a better idea of what you look like in different situations and poses.
Finally, include some full body photos.
They don’t need to be provocative (and probably shouldn’t be), but they can provide a better idea of what you look like. They also convey confidence.
With your photos chosen, you can move on to adding a description to your page.
The best advice for the fields that require you to choose your own direction is to be real. The more genuine your voice, the more people will want to meet you.
With your profile ready you can begin your search!
3. Find Someone and Reach Out
Some dating sites have so many users that you might be overwhelmed by the number of choices you find during your first few hours on a site.
But choice is part of the beauty of online dating, and can be beneficial to even those with the highest of standards.
Once you find someone who piques your interest, it’s time to reach out!
As with your dating profile, it is important to be genuine in your messages to other people as well.
You can begin by introducing yourself and even employing some common flirting techniques. The more you work on this, the better idea you will have for what works and what does not.
If the other person reciprocates your interest, work on building a rapport until you feel comfortable with one another.
By the time you two are ready for a first date, you will both know it.
4. Go on a Date
You made it to your first offline date!
From here, things pretty much work the way you’re used to. The added benefit, however, is that the person you’re meeting with is someone you already know in many regards.
As with any other date you might go on, it’s important to be punctual, mind your manners, and be the best person you can be.
Things may not work out the first time or even the tenth, but always remember the amazing resources you have at your fingertips.
Eventually, everything will click.
Pauline Plott is a London-based blogger who became a dating guru after learning the psychology behind modern romance and signing up for every dating website in pursuit of relationship bliss. She shares her reviews and opinions on DatingSpot.co.uk.
