It is true that online dating can be pretty exhausting, but it’s also true that people who meet online tend to develop longer-lasting relationships. A recent survey revealed that nearly 69% of online daters either found a committing relationship or got married. Not bad, right? However, online dating has increased rapidly over the years, leading to a lot of clutter. This means that it is fairly easy to get lost in the crowd.
An old proverb goes: “you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince”. This applies accurately to the online dating scene. However, with these simple tips and tricks, you can avoid the minefield altogether! Here’s a cheat sheet to help you get started.
Set Your Goals
Before you create an online dating profile, think about what you’re trying to achieve. Are you looking for a casual relationship or a long-term commitment? Setting your goals will allow you to create a profile that is honest and a mirror reflection of your personality. It will also help you connect to people who share the same interests. Being straightforward about your goals will leave a stellar impression and make you come off as headstrong and confident. This way you can also be thoughtful while evaluating other people’s profiles and deciding whether to connect or pass.
Show; Don’t Tell
A Princeton study recently revealed that people make up their minds on whether or not they like a person in less than 1 second. Surprising, isn’t it? This is why you need to make a stellar first impression through your profile picture. Your profile photo should be clear, in good lighting, and, needless to say, just of you. Group shots, body flexes, and blurry selfies are a no-go. People inherently pick up on visual cues, which is why your profile picture should provide some insight into your personality: a shot of you cuddling up with a book and coffee would be great if you’re a homebody! You only get one shot; make sure it’s a dunk!
Write a Solid Profile
When surveyed, 64% of people who use online dating sites claimed that they don’t read profiles that are too long. The best way to write the perfect bio is to do so in a conversational manner. Since this will virtually be the first message that you send to other users, describe your best traits through examples where you demonstrated them. Talk about your hobbies, or what you aspire to be in the long run. Making a witty comment about any flaws that you have will make you seem genuine without taking away from your personality. Short, specific, and honest; that’s the recipe for the perfect dating bio!
Take the First Step
There is absolutely nothing wrong with initiating a conversation. It radiates confidence, gives you control, and saves time! All you need to do is come up with a conversation starter that they will definitely reply to. If your first message just says “hey”, there’s an 84% chance that you will get ignored. The best way to go about this is to take visual cues from their photos and ask a question regarding the same. This will show that you’re willing to make a serious effort and are not just here to play the field.
Timing is Everything!
According to research, most dating apps have reported maximum traffic at around 5 pm. That is your cue to log in and start swiping. Another important facet in nailing the timing is knowing when to ask them out on a date. Ideally, the first time you have a meaningful conversation that goes on for roughly 20 minutes, is when you should ask them to meet. Chatting for too long may lead to lost momentum, and eventually; a lost connection.
Be Honest and Open
Remember: a truly attractive person is one who fits in their own skin. Indulge in real conversations; tell them about your life, and let them know exactly what you’re looking for in a partner. Transparency is usually a blind spot for most online daters, which eventually leads to an unfulfilled feeling every time you come back from a mismatched date. In order to make sincere connections, lay all your cards on the table and let love come to you!