Online Dating News

2005-02-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Busy sites that charge are the best bets for online datingMany singles make New Year's resolutions to be proactive about online dating. As a result, online dating sites see a surge in new members during the new year. But how do you pick a trustworthy Online Dating Web site?Try choosing an online dating site that charges for its services; most online dating sites are about $25 a month. Paying provides some security. People who are unsincere are less likely to pay to be decietful, and obscene people will be bounced by webmasters. Online dating pay sites may also keep away married people who do not want to leave a paper trail. Also, online dating pay sites will deter kids pretending to be adults.If you're not interested in the big, generic supermarkets of online dating, get specific. There are hundreds of online dating sites catering to niche groups. Most online dating sites let you read member profiles before joining. Most offer some sort of a free trial before making your purchase. Check out several online dating sites and then pick one that feels right to you.If you join an online dating site, include a clear quality photo (not a glamour shot or photo with an ex cut out). Create funny or eye-catching headlines, and be as specific as possible when describing yourself and what you're looking for. Always check your spelling.Some online dating sites pair members using online dating software and personality tests to find good matches. Other online dating sites allow members to e-mail back and forth and set up their own dates. Advisers recommend talking by phone before going on actual dates, then meeting in public places and arriving separately. And if things ever get uncomfortable, cease communication and move on. Online dating can be fun and adventerous.
Online Dating Losing Steam, But Not for Valentine's DayWhile online dating services such as Match.com and Yahoo Personals represent the largest category of paid content online, the thrill may be waning for the once-torrid market. Have the online dating matchmakers done their job too well?Hopeful singles still flock to online dating services such as Match.com, owned by InterActiveCorp -- the company reported a 9 percent increase in paid subscribers in the third quarter of last year, compared with the same period of 2003.
The online dating business appears to be cooling offRevenue for the personals division in the third quarter of 2004 was up 3 percent, to $49.7 million, compared with the same period of 2003, but operating income was off 37 percent, at $2.8 million. The company explained the drop was due to higher marketing costs and other expenses needed to attract customers.As a business, Match.com, the largest of the online dating sites, is dwarfed by InterActiveCorp's other ventures, such as its travel Web site, Expedia.com, which booked $570.5 million in third-quarter revenue. Chairman Barry Diller, a Washington Post Co. director, said his company plans to spin off its travel businesses later this year.Jupiter Research, which focuses on Internet analysis, forecasts that the online dating market will increase 9 percent in 2005 to $516 million, a dramatic, if inevitable, falloff from the heady early days when the industry was new and reported growth rates of 70 or 80 percent each year.January and February are the busy time of year for online dating sites. Match.com LP spokeswoman Kristen Kelly said that this month, roughly 50,000 people have been registering at the Web site every day."We call it the New Year's resolution phenomenon," she said.
Online dating matchmakersThere's more competition than ever, and growth might depend on sites slicing off market share from their rivals. Other, more specialized Web sites have attracted online dating singles looking for a more defined online dating pool, such as JDate.com, which bills itself as "The Largest Jewish Singles Network." And other companies are still trying to figure out how to get into this business; Comcast Corp., for example, is launching a new video-on-demand service on Monday called Online Dating on Demand. Digital-cable subscribers who are seeking dates will be able to download videos of online dating singles and upload their own videos.
Online Dating Versus Cultures Around The World
Online Dating versus the fast paced Greek customsIn Greece, a female asked her boyfriend to meet her parents after a few dates, he was shocked. This was on our second or third date and he was like, 'I'm not going to marry you, why do I have to meet them?This experience illustrates the differences in dating customs among countries. For people who travel and live in other countries this may be a culture shock. In some countries, finding a date is not as easy as just going to a bar or jumping an Online Dating Service and asking someone out. Online dating is starting to be introduced in many countries but some countries cultures just won't permit online dating to flourish, not just yet.
Online Dating versus the Philippines formal traditionsIn the Philippines, especially in the provinces, when a man is interested in a certain woman, he finds out about her first through her friends. If he likes her, he goes to her house, laden with presents for the family, and meets her parents. If they like each other, then he asks if she can be his girlfriend. If she says yes, then they can go out and date.
Online Dating versus the social circles of SwitzerlandIn Switzerland, the dating game is not as formal. The best way is to go out with male friends and meet women in restaurants. Usually one of the men knows some of the women, and through that friend a man can get to know a woman and ask her to what is calles a "rendezvous." In Switzerland, only when two people kiss and express their love for each other can they be considered a couple.
Online Dating versus the bar scene of BrazilIn Brazil, "hooking up" with someone is similar to the American way. A "stay with" involves meeting a person at a bar or club and spending the rest of the night with them kissing, dancing, hugging and so on. Although most of the time one does not see their "stay with" partner again, it can at times lead to relationships. If it does get serious and both parties agree, then the man meets her parents. In America we call this a one night stand.
Online Dating versus the India arrangementThere are some countries where dating is nonexistent. In India, most marriages are arranged by parents. A man starts to look for his bride when he is in his mid-20s and has finished his education. His parents aid in his search by word of mouth or through advertisements placed in the newspaper.
Online Dating versus the tango of FranceIn France, a country usually known for romance, dating seems to be treated lightly. You will never tell a woman you want to date her. You never speak directly about it. In France, we dance two people together that's a really good way to get in touch with someone, which you cannot really do that here.In addition to noticing the differences in dating customs, living in the United States has provided some eye-openers for international students, as they compare certain social behaviors between Americans and people of their country.The women in France are bolder, more outspoken. In India, they're quieter because they're taught to be that way.Part of the reason lies in the fact that in the United States when a man asks a woman out, he is not necessarily looking for a commitment. Guys here aren't afraid to ask girls out on a date.In the Philippines, he would be afraid she would say no, it means she doesn't want him at all for a relationship.Americans tend to be superficial, based on small talk instead of substance. They ask 'Hello, how are you?' and I tell them how I am, and I realized they didn't really want to know how I am.Americans tend to interpret things in a sexual manner. Believed it is due to the idea that sex is considered taboo in American culture. While nudity is a norm on Swiss television, one will not find naked bodies on NBC's Thursday lineup. No one talks about (sex), but everyone thinks about it.Observed that despite the many cultures in the United States, it seems that people tend to date others with the same background. In addition, he noticed often men and women tend to be in separate groups.
Online Dating can see a light at the end of the tunnelBut times are changing, and so are dating customs in other countries, with the help of Westernization.Although many marriages are still arranged in India, women's traditional roles are changing as more Indian women become career-oriented.In the Philippines, more and more young people are abandoning the old customs. For example, there is an increase in premarital sex, considered a sin in this predominantly Catholic country.A lot of it has to do with urbanization. There's a lot of change in traditional attitudes and beliefs.Online Dating has a lot of growth potential especially in the countries mentioned above and others not memtioned. Online dating may not replace each countries traditional methods of meeting people but it sure is another option to be considered.
ONLINE DATING FOR THE ADVANCEDEveryone knows the basics of online dating. You sign up, choose your username and password. Create your online dating profile and you are on your way. Millions of people will see your online dating profile and the letters will be rolling in. Well, maybe and maybe not. It all depends on your photo(s). Thats paramount. Without a photo you don't have much of a chance. You have to either place a photo in your online dating profile or send one as an attatchment in your online dating letters to have any real chance. You can use yourself as a measuring stick. Do you look at online dating profiles without pictures? If you answered NO then your are among the majority.
Change your online dating mindsetDon't judge a book by its cover. I don't mean to base your decision on meeting someone merely by the picture you see on their online dating profile. Remember some people take bad pictures. Its not their fault. They just don't photograph well. Plus you are only seeing two deminsions. Consider this when joining an online dating service. Everyone in there has a unique personality and a story to tell. Also, they have unique interests and hobbies. If you have the time and are adventerous you can meet a variety of people through online dating. Not every online dating experience has to be a romantic encounter.
Online Dating can be adventerousIf you change the way you think about online dating you may be suprised at the many benefits it has to offer. As you start to correspond via email with the other online dating members you will soon find yourself on more dates. But don't look at these dates as actual dates which has a tendancy to intertwine romance with every online dating meeting. Rather treat these online dating meetings as just that. A meeting. Take one step at a time. Focus on dialogue rather than on romance. Find out about the others persons interests, hobbies, passions and dreams. If you have a great conversation you will be suprised how everything else falls into place. After all, communication is the cornerstone to everything we do in life. If your online dating meeting never gets past the first step, and you only have good conversation, thats not so bad. You had a good time and learned about someone and also built up your confidence. What else were you going to do that evening anyway? Watch TV? Sleep? You get the picture.
Back to online dating basicsSo here we are full circle. If you are going to join the millions of online dating singles then you must create a complete profile. Your online dating profile is not complete until you place at the least, one good photo of yourself. But don't stop there. Send out those letters and be open minded and give your potential mate a chance. Set up a meeting and focus on good conversation. Everything else will come naturally. If you follow these simple guidelines your online dating experience will be an adventerous one.
Online Dating News
ONLINE DATING - Single Men, Especially, Seek Dates OnlineThe world of online dating may not ever be quite the same, thanks to the rise of online dating services that allow users to find dates the same way they seek out a new job, hunt for information, or go on a shopping spree. Fueled by the increasing popularity of personal computers, e-mail, and the World Wide Web (which was introduced in 1991 and saw explosive growth beginning in 1993), the Internet became a significant factor in the stock market and commerce during the second half of the decade. By 2000 it was estimated that the number of adults using the Internet exceeded 100 million in the United States alone many of which discovered the convience of online dating. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Cupid’s Eternal Question According to a just-released report covering the Online Dating Scene, nearly 6 million people are tapping into the Internet to find that special someone. Men dominate online dating personals sites, comprising 58.23 percent of the audience, while women are more drawn to romance-related sites, such as those that sell flowers and gifts or provide greetings. Amid the demise of many a dot-com, love seems to have conquered all. Online Dating Site visits have risen almost 50 percent in the last year, more than double the rate of Web use in general. Call Them Crazy There are 75 million singles in America, so the market for Online Dating Web Sites is huge. In the last year alone, nearly 6 million people logged on to find love. “A lot of people are still shocked, they’re like wow, you met in an Online Dating Site... that’s crazy,” Online Dating Optimism Most online dating seekers are optimistic that they could meet not only potential dates, but their soul mates through an Online Dating Service. A survey conducted by a major Online Dating Service showed that most online dating singles are seeking a relationship that leads to long-term commitment or marriage, and that a little more than half are optimistic they will find true love within the next year. The first step in getting out there is picking an Online Dating Service. There are many ranging from your basic online dating service where you post your profile with photos then send and receive letters to where the online dating service actually matches you with your potential online dating mate. Hopefully with a pleasant experience. Most online dating sites ask for personal information, which they keep confidential, and you can browse subscribers’ profiles and post your own. The result: you either receive e-mails from interested parties, or you contact them. A breakdown of some 4 million online dating subscribers provides a bit of insight into what the online dating population is looking for. In terms of personality, 67 percent of the online dating seek someone with a sense of humor, and 65 percent are after someone who is responsible or dependable. Workaholic singles take note: only 28 percent of singles are looking for someone with a career-oriented personality. Most people - 80 percent of men and 78 percent of women - have no preference in regard to the hair color of the person they want to date. But physical condition matters. While 20 percent have no preference for body type, 81 percent are open to dating someone with an athletic body, and 44 percent are open to dating someone with a “few extra pounds.” Men were open to dating someone with a yearly income of at least $23,000, but on average, women wanted their dates to make at least $42,000. There are pitfalls to online dating - and some horror stories - on those dangers. Some key points to keep in mind: The people you meet online dating could be lying to you, perhaps about their marital status. Some married people pass themselves off as singles to get online dates and sex. Ask lots of questions to determine the veracity of the people you correspond with. Many people inflate themselves online and that great house they live in, just might be their parents’. Proceed with caution and your online dating experience just may be a fantastic voyage or at the very least an interesting story to tell your grand kids.
Online dating facts & figuresAverage monthly unique visitors to online dating sites: U.S.: 40 million Canada: 7 million These numbers include the “curiosity factor,” people who are on there just checking out the sites. In the first half of 2003, U.S. consumers spent $214 million on online dating sites. That’s up by 75 per cent from the same period in 2002. Nearly 18 per cent of Canadian users of online dating services are married or living common-law At the time of this report, 1.1 to 1.2 million Canadians had visited an online dating site Online dating people are more likely to be male, single, divorced, employed in the paid labour force, urban and have a higher income. For every woman using online dating services, there are more than 2 men. About 55 per cent of online dating people earn $40,000 a year or more. Most online dating people are in their 30s. More than half of online dating people are college grads or have some college education. 39 per cent of people online dating in Canada are in Ontario, the most of any province. New Brunswick has the fewest online dating people at 1.8 per cent. Most people use online dating servies mainly to find dates and establish a long-term relationship - not to flirt online, find a marriage partner or a sexual partner This report also found that the main perceived disadvantage of online dating is that people sometimes don’t tell the truth about themselves. 25 per cent of online dating people have misrepresented themselves online. Men and women misrepresented themselves to the same extent. A third of people using online dating haven’t met anyone in-person as a result of their online dating activities. Nearly half have met 1 to 5 others and the remaining fifth have met more than 5 other people. Among the online dating people heres how they met up with someone through online dating:63 per cent had sex with at least one person they met online 60 per cent formed at least one long-term friendship 27 per cent met at least one person they regarded as a “partner” 3 per cent met someone they eventually married The main factors inhibiting people from using online dating services are: people think it’s too risky some people don’t believe it’s as effective as other methods of meeting people others are discouraged by the fact they haven’t met anyone suitable having a friend who used online dating and had a positive experience appears to lessen people’s inhibitions about online dating.
Online dating is growing for four main reasons:A growing proportion of the population is composed of singles. Between 1995 and 1999, the number of single, widowed or divorced Canadians grew by 4.4 per cent. career and time pressures are increasing single people are more mobile. Also, a growing number of jobs require frequent travel.Workplace romance is on the decline due to growing sensitivity about sexual harassment in the workplace
Online Dating and the Single ParentThere are millions of single parents looking for love through the online dating scene. Online dating services allow you to search thousands of singles to discover potential matches. You can communicate anonymously and get to know the person before actually going on a first date. You can search for people with variety of interests and narrow down your choices. Can you do that as simply and effectivelly offline? This is much better than going to a bar or club to meet someone, where you're bound to receive a lot of unwanted advances from drunk guys, born losers, or people who simply don't interest you. Some online dating services will match you with people who are compatible not just on the surface, but also in the deep and important ways that truly matter in a relationship. Then you get to have fun discovering the chemistry. You must first join an online dating service. Most offer a free basic membership that allows you to post a profile and browse other profiles and pictures. You can use searching criteria to find closest matches and once you've found people you'd like to communicate with, then you can use the service's anonymous email, messaging system and some have private chatrooms to get to know them better. You're not restricted to just conversing with one person. Stay interested in several people and get to know them via email before committing to that first phone conversation, or first date. Some services are definitely better than others. But we are not relationship experts, and this is simply a guide to online dating. Always double check features and prices with the site itself, before committing to joining.
Online Dating Safety TipsOnline dating can lead to friendships and long-term relationships, but you must be careful. Never to give away any personal information until you feel very comfortable with someone. Don't reveal your full name, email address, telephone number or your work/home address. Should anybody start asking these questions too early, that's a definite warning sign. After a few emails, you may feel it's time to talk on the phone. The man should give his phone number, allowing you to call him. Personal ProfilesWhen you first join an online dating site, many ask you to create a profile 'Nickname'. Don't use something like 'Wet and Wild' as you're likely to attract a lot of unwanted advances. When writing the actual profile, don't reveal too much personal information that could be used to identify you offline. Honesty and TrustWhen communicating through an online dating service- ask questions and if the person isn't forthcoming, their facts don't quite add up or they conveniently forget to include pertinent information, then go with your intuition and move on. There's no point wasting time on people who aren't honest or may be lying. During communication with singles, don't feel under any pressure to meet somebody. If they start emailing you with demands, like 'Honey, we have to meet by next week or that's it, I won't talk to you anymore', then that should signal the bell in your head telling you to drop this bozo. If you decide that somebody simply isn't your type or doesn't interest you, then be polite and honest. Don't start making excuses and wasting their time by giving an impression that there's a chance of actually meeting. Before Meeting OfflineAfter you are sure the person you want to meet offline is of interest, there are a few more tips you should consider. You could ask the person for a couple of references - from friends, co-workers or family. Honest people should recognise that you are serious about online dating and are clued up on safety. Those with nothing to hide and a geniune interest shouldn't be put off. You might also consider checking some details yourself, like if they do really work where they say they do. Use your common sense to ensure you're first online dating experience is a safe and enjoyable one. Continue using your email or mobile-phone to arrange a date. You shouldn't give anybody your home phone number. Suggest a few date ideas and agree on meeting in a neutral, public place. It's best not to choose places that are too noisy, busy and could have too many distractions. You might consider meeting for a coffee at a cafe, lunch at a restaraunt, picnic in a public park.
Overcoming the Stigmas of Online DatingJoining an online dating site or posting a personals ad in the newspaper has long equated to a beacon of desperation and loneliness. While the tendency remains to keep one’s online dating visits a secret from married friends and family, the negative perceptions surrounding this particular medium seems to be dissolving. Online dating has had to deal with the stigma associated with traditional dating services which many people see as for the lonely and the desperate. Online dating has fought a stereotype of catering to computer geeks with no social skills. Online dating is overcoming the negative stereotypes to a combination of increased awareness, increased comfort with the Internet, word of mouth success stories, and increased acceptability of online dating services.The most effective counter-argument against such outdated thinking may have come in the form of the 1998 film “You’ve Got Mail,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. “People did not have a good understanding of what online dating was, and there was some negativity about it before the film made falling in love with someone you met on the Web an okay thing to do.Online dating is being driven by an increasing legitimacy and this is shown by the sheer quantity of people signing on to online dating sites and paying money for the services. Spurred by such factors as increasing comfort with the Internet and a proliferation of personal success stories, singles are overcoming these ideas and utilizing these services in record numbers. The current trends show that this disadvantage is quickly being overcome--or ignored. So it seems that online dating is here to stay or until something better comes along.
ONLINE DATING MYTHSA week doesn’t go by without several newspapers writing about the expanding use of online dating services. Millions of single people have, and many more millions will, use at least one online dating site in 2005. Despite the increased societal acceptance, several myths continue to persist. Myth #1: Meeting someone long-distance doesn’t work.So, you finally work up the courage to create an online dating profile, pay your subscription fee, and even upload a couple of flattering photos. Low and behold you get a few emails from some potential matches. Instantly you notice a problem: these electronic love seekers come from Houston, TX, Podunk, MO and Hacienda, CA while you sit in your Boston, MA one bedroom apartment. For many people this is an immediate let down and elicits a common response, “What good does it do me to meet someone in this online dating site so far away?” The easiest and most direct answer is that it might do you a lot of good, especially if one of those people turns out to be your future spouse. Distance, not unlike other challenges that come up in a relationship, is tolerated in degrees which vary from person to person. Very few people go looking for a long distance relationship. Then again, God does not always send us gifts in the packaging we expect or even want.Another often overlooked reason to consider people from great distances is that much can be learned through getting to know someone from a different part of the country or the world. OK, so maybe this person is not your prince charming or princess bride, but you might learn a lot from them, and even have a pen pal or friend for life. Bottom line: Keep your options open. God works in strange ways, even online.Not everyone is cut out for such an endeavor, but there is a certain openness that each person should possess. As online dating members we understand that distance is just a minor factor now that we have the internet. Thus an email from an online dating member could be a simple way of introducing you to your future spouse regardless of the distance the message had to travel. Myth #2: Everyone online dating pretends to be something they’re not.Yes, they can. That is about as succinct an answer as I can give. Some individuals also pretend to be someone else at the office, in school, the bar, and at Church. How many stories are in the news about people leading double, sometimes even triple lives? The Internet (including online dating services) can make it easier for people to pretend, but often times their disguises are revealed once you meet them in person.The bottom line: Use common sense and don’t let your emotions override basic logic.Myth #3: Online dating sites are for losers.Despite great progress over the last several years this continues to be the number one response. The majority of people that use an online dating service are usually determined, not desperate. Just browse the profiles and photos of people on your favorite online dating service, and they just don’t look like desperate people. As single adults many, if not most, have had a thought such as “I wonder if I will ever meet that special someone?” The reality is that most people use online dating sites because they are looking for something more. Online dating memebrs are usually seeking someone they can develope a relationship with. Online dating services provide single people with tools unavailable to them in traditional dating settings. I often tell people that using an online dating service merely supplements meeting people in the “real world.” Being able to look for people who have similar interests and values often eliminates those early worries on a first date when you know little about the person. The snap shot of a profile and a few email exchanges or phone calls can be a fantastic early indicator as to how successful a first date might be.If you are single and have never tried an online dating site then I hope this article has given you some encouragement and answered a few of the more common objections. If you are already using a service or have in the past then I hope you have a renewed spirit.
ONLINE DATING TIPSA few simple tips to get you noticed: A picture is worth a thousand words. A great picture of yourself will draw more attention to your online dating ad. Online dating ads with nice, well-focused pictures receive much more attention than those ads without pictures. Having more than one picture of yourself in different settings is also a great way to get more interest in your online dating ad and let readers know what kinds of activities you enjoy. Share YourselfSay exactly what you are looking for in your online dating ad. If you enjoy sports or music, let everyone reading your online dating ad know you are a Boston Red Sox or Dean Martin fan. The more a person can learn about you from your online dating ad the more they will want to date you. Common interests lead to great discussions and great dates. Spell Check! Spell Check! Spell Check!Smart is Sexy Nothing puts a person off like a spelling error. Write your online dating ad using a program like Microsoft Word before you post it online. An online dating ad free of grammatical and spelling errors will generate more replies and let everyone know how smart you are. A great online dating ad will get you noticed leading to more responses and more dates!
Ladies: 5 Top Tips for Online Dating5 lessons for online datingI hate to admit it, but after my divorce my dating skills were rusty. I didn’t have a clue where to meet sincere, accomplished men or how to behave once I did. In my sheltered condition, I couldn’t distinguish between an eagle scout who wanted to bring me chicken soup and a convict whose smiling mug was featured on the FBI’s top ten list. What to do? A friend tipped me off that quality singles were as close as my computer. Then I scurried off to the local bookstore and stocked up on how-to tips from the online dating gurus. Guess what? Self-help authors pack some useful advice for women when it comes to meeting your online dating match. Here are five lessons that helped me make the most of online dating: 1) Test drive.Remember that the point of online dating is to explore your options. Search for local singles , browse around and communicate with lots of people. Online dating is a sensory smorgasbord and a mutual job interview; enjoy the flavorful possibilities. Remember that you’re checking out your potential mate’s credentials, and there’s no obligation to hire someone today. You may be disappointed if a particular connection doesn’t pan out, but there’s no need for recrimination and regret. Just be grateful you got the heart-wise info you needed early. Take the bumpy road in stride and drive on. 2) You’re special.Believe it. Express this confidence by taking good care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Show it in everything from your willingness to smile at strangers to the positive vibes you put into your free online dating member profile.3) But not that special…When you’ve been away from the online dating world for a while, any attention may seem seductive. Keep in mind that sweet words and thoughtful gestures could be short-lived. As much as you’d like to, don’t assume that you’re his one-and-only just because he’s coming on strong. Men find lots of women attractive. 4) You can create chemistry.Wear flattering outfits, choose hairstyles that make you look pretty and if you want, get your teeth fixed. But if you put your best face forward and the object of your affection makes it clear that he doesn’t find you romantically stimulating, move on. The most self-destructive thing you can do — ever — is campaign to change his mind. Your online dating energy is best spent elsewhere.5) Time is on your side.There’s a lot of wisdom in treating each phase of online dating differently. It’s impossible to discern someone’s true character in a week. Before you commit yourself, browse lots of online dating profiles, quick search , meet a variety of singles and enjoy the explorations. When it’s appropriate, let one special relationship develop and deepen over time. Hindsight will reveal whether it really was true love at first sight.
12 Online Dating "Rules" to Consider(1) It's OK to answer men's ads or email them first.It may be tempting to fire off emails to all the cute online dating guys in your zip code. Don't wait! Chances are, if you wait you may miss the online dating boat. Remember there are thousands if not millions of online dating members. That number is growing daily. If you snooze you loose. Make the most of you online dating FREE membership and fire away.(2) Create a good screen name - not too boring, not too sexy, not too marriage minded.The absolute worst choices for online dating screen names are ones that include your name, ones that sound too steamy, and ones that make you sound husband hungry.Also, follow The Rule's suggestion of having an online dating screename that describes your appearance... men are visual creatures after all. RavishingRedhead and PetiteItalian are examples of online dating screenames that show off your best physical assets, without sounding trampy. (3) When answering the questionaires an online dating Web site requires, spend some quality online dating time for your answers.While long answers about online dating soulmates are a turn off, super short answers make you seem flippant and thoughtless. Aim to keep your profile shorter than average (keeps it easy to read), but make each word count. Saying you seek someone "friendly, fun, and free spirited" is much more effective than "cool to hangout with" and takes up about the same word space.(4) Do not answer questions that you would not answer on a first date.Don't talk about past online dating relationships, how much you want to get married, your income, or your turn ons. Just select "no answer" - or say "Ask me later!" if it's an online dating essay question.(5) Don't wait 24 hours to respond.His online dating membership may expire. Jump right in and get busy, thats why your there. Start writing you online dating responses like a house on fire. Remember he doesn't know how desperate you might be.(6) Post the maximum amount of online dating photos allowed.Posting multiple photos won't make you seem desperate, but it will increase your chances of finding an online dating match. Guys are first attracted to the physical, and the more photos you post, the more likely you are too hook your online dating dream date.Posting multiple photos also cuts down the chances of a bad online dating first date. If a guy has a good idea of how you look, he'll know if you're his type before he meets you. If you only have one photo, he'll be less likely to know if he's into you... until you meet. (7) It's OK to respond to a man who sends his profile or photo only.If he contacts you it's OK to respond. Thats what online dating is all about. Go with the flow and enjoy your online dating experience.(8) It's OK to correspond with a man who won't show you an online dating photo of himself.You can correspond but don't meet him until you have several photos. Remember online dating is progressive. Give it time.(9) Answer on weekends or holidays.Answer when ever you have time. Thats what is so great about online dating. It's convienent. Send as many online dating letters as you wish. Its is all included in your free online dating trial and/or online dating membership.(10) Keep emails short - only three sentences.Wrong.... Write from your heart. If you like long letters then thats OK. Online dating has no boundaries for letter length. Have fun and see if he reads all of it.(11) It's OK to email a guy again if he hasn't responded to you email.Online dating is all about mail. Write till his online dating mail box is full.(12) If a guy doesn't ask you out within four emails, don't stop communicating with him completely.Hmmmm, I think after four online dating emails, you should certainly evaluate where things are going with the guy you're talking to. Is he about to ask you out? If so, continue to exchange email, but make sure that you mention being "busy" with your friends. Online dating can get hectic. Be patient and don't stop writing potential online dating members. Get their attention while you are both online dating members.
The TRUTH About Online Dating...I'm sure you've heard a variety of things about online dating - some say it sucks while others swear by it. Some say all the women that use online dating are wall-eyed freaks while others claim to have met some serious hotties.What's the real deal with online dating? Is it just a waste of your valuable time? NO, it's NOT a waste of your time, don't get sucked into that myth. Online dating is a VERY effective and legitimate way to meet BEAUTIFUL women.Here's why...Attractive women get fed up with dating "losers" and "pigs" in their social circle. So, they think, "Gee, where can I meet nice new guys and not worry about being ogled by inebriated man in smoky bars?... the INTERNET!"Yes, that's the truth, it seems that women are turning to online dating in droves as a refuge from the sometimes uncomfortable bar dating scene. From the comfort of their home they can pick and choose who they want to meet and who they don't - without having to put up with cheesy pick-up lines.It's very convenient.But, wait, you could be doing the same thing! "Online dating? Me? Won't people think I'm a desperate geek or something? Won't it be weird?" NO, get over it. Geez, you are still stuck on that 90s mentality. Over the past few years online dating has become mainstream - if you aren't using it you are missing out on some big action.Beyond the HUGE selection of available women there are even more perks of online dating. First, you won't waste as much money on dead-end dates. Second, you will meet women you would never meet otherwise. And finally, you can meet women in your underwear and you don't have to shower.Shy Men and Women REJOICE...Online dating was practically tailor-made for you. If you aren't already doing this get started TODAY.Online dating will help you comfortably transition into the "real world" without having to worry about approaching anyone or getting rejected.
Online Dating is becoming Mainstream!With online dating becoming mainstream and millions of people using the internet and online dating services to find their perfect match now is the perfect time to give this form of meeting new people a try and consider it as a valid option. Many people already do in their everyday lives and it became a new and exciting way for them to meet new people.Whether you are searching for a serious relationship, friendship, romance, love, a romantic partner or possibly even Mr. or Mrs. Right, online dating can be of great value and help.If you are like most people, you probably don't have enough free time needed to invest in meeting new people in traditional settings. The pace of today's life makes it very hard. It seems that the time you have for meeting new people becomes less and less and crossing paths with exciting people around you becomes harder and harder.The answer to this can be online dating using today's online dating services. By most accounts of people already using these services to meet new people, online dating really does work! The truth is, today's online dating services have become very good in what they do offering a range of services and tools and matchmaking capabilities to their users. You can create a comprehensive profile of yourself, search and match yourself with your perfect special someone, contact other people looking to meet someone like you and use a range of communication tools to meet and get to know new people online and offline. It's easy and fast, it's convenient, and most importantly is effective and you will have fun doing it!Best of all, you know that people using today's mainstream premier online dating services are decent and real people like you, that are seriously and genuinely looking to meet new people, just like you.That is why online dating is becoming very fast the norm in meeting new people and for millions of people already using these services became a new and exciting way to better and expand their social circles, make new friends or find love and romance, form a serious relationship, even find Mr. or Mrs. Right.So, if you find it hard in your everyday life to meet new people, get out there and start looking for other singles who are looking for that special someone. With online dating, your search isn't limited to a few beaten paths, to the same old places with the same faces. There are millions of people using online dating from the comfort of their homes looking for love, looking for someone like you. There are millions of people using online dating to meet new people, through posting personals for themselves or searching personals of other people to find their match, to form new friendships and relationships or find that special date. To start is easy and you don't need to leave the comfort of your own home. A life with new people, a new online dating experience, a new romance and possibly a new love could only be a few clicks away!Choose the online dating service that is right for you, or join a few of them to try them out first, and start searching those personals and profiles. Take the next step and create your own personal ad and open that door so other people can find you. Be confident: chances are, someone special is looking for someone just like you! Online dating is making history and you can be a part of it all!
What is Online Dating?Everyone is looking for the right partner to share their life with. Sometimes we think we have met that right man or woman but after a while - sometimes even years we realize we have not found what we were looking for.But never give up! The Internet has revolutionized online dating. It's now easy and inexpensive to find a partner and soul mate. Online Dating sites let you have a glimpse of potential partners before you even contact them! Everyone who registers on an online dating site should include a personal profile - details about themselves - and possibly some recent photos. So you can decide who you like and dislike before even writing a single email!All good online dating sites have thousands and thousands of profiles - some have hundreds of thousands of profiles! The choice is huge! And because the choice is so big you will almost certainly find someone who you like; someone who you might like a lot!To begin your search is simple. Have a look at some of the online dating sites on the internet. Check out the free trial terms and conditions and have fun. Online dating is more and more mainstream and millions are using online dating everyday. Why go to a smokey bar with a bunch of drunks when you can browse literally hundreds of online dating profiles in the comfort of your own home. With online dating you are in control and it is the best use of your time. I would venture to say that you already know several people that have or are using online dating right now. Soon everyone will have a computer and online dating will boast billions of users. Online dating, here today and certainly here tomorrow.
Is Online Dating for me? How do I know?Free online dating—you've heard about it, you've read about it, maybe you even have a friend who's doing it. You're thinking of trying online dating yourself. But how do you know if it's the right thing for you? Here's a quick quiz to help you determine whether you're ready for the online dating experience.1. Are you dissatisfied with the traditional ways of meeting people to date? Two of the most likely places to meet people to date are in school and at work. If neither has helped you find a mate so far, then singles groups are often the next thing people try. The good thing about singles groups is that it puts you in front of other single people who are clearly interested in finding someone to date and possibly. But if you've tried that route and still aren't meeting anyone, then free online dating can be the best next step for you.2. Are you over 30, over 40 or beyond? It gets more difficult to meet people to date as you get older. Many of your friends are already married and the bar scene has lost its appeal. That doesn't mean there's no one out there for you. It's just not as easy to find one another! The world of online dating gives you access to an almost unlimited supply of potential partners, more than you could ever meet any other way.3. Do you have a good sense of who you are and what you want in a partner? The great thing about getting older is that we usually know ourselves better and have a more realistic idea of what kind of person would be a good match for us. And hopefully, you have a better idea of what you can give to a relationship, not just what you want to get.Online dating allows you to search for a partner based on what is most important to you. Looking at a person's online dating profile allows you to find out much more about them than you'd normally know about anyone you meet offline.4. Do you know enough about computers to browse the internet and use e-mail, or are you willing to learn? You don't need to own a computer; you just need access to one. And if you don't know how to use e-mail yet it's not that difficult to learn. Anyone who is sufficiently motivated can do it.5. Are you willing to be proactive to get what you desire? Online dating does call for some effort on your part. You have to find a good dating service site and create a profile about yourself so others can find you. You have to put in the time to search the profiles on your online dating site and contact people who interest you. If you're willing to do a little bit of work, then free online dating can work for you.6. Are you willing to overcome your preconceived ideas about whether “nice people” should get involved in online dating? It's becoming more acceptable every day to meet people through free online dating. And the people who do it are likely to be more educated and better off financially than the average. Sounds like a good group of people to pick from, doesn't it?7. Do you enjoy writing or are you willing to improve your writing skills? Communication on the internet online dating sites favors those who write well. You make your first impression based on what you write in your profile and your e-mail messages. The good news is that with the great spelling and grammar checking features available in most e-mail programs, there is no excuse for being a poor writer any more. Anyone of average intelligence can learn to write well enough to attract a partner. It just takes the willingness to learn.What are you waiting for? Take off the brakes and go for it! You've got what it takes to succeed in online dating. Get started by checking out all the great resources on the net for online dating site reviews and online dating advice. It's never too late to change your fate!
Online Dating! So how do I start?
Finding a suitable online dating siteOnline dating sites, it is essential to know a bit about them before joining. It is probably a good idea to sit and think about exactly what you are looking for. This is more difficult then you think. You should figure this one out before you actually go on your first online dating site.Are you looking for a long term serious relationship?Are you looking for a site that has ads that specifically cater to short term intimate relationships with no strings.Are you religious and looking for someone of a similar faith? Some sites cater just to Christian singles.Mabye you're a 55 year old widow. You had a happy marriage that ended prematurely, but you're still too young and vibrant to give up on men forever.Ezdate123 is a great online dating site that has a wide variety of catagories that cator to everyone. They have a great free trial. We suggest that you give this online dating site consideration when looking for your mate through an online dating site.Next create an online dating profileOnline dating sites are just like job-hunting sites, such as monster.com, where everyone posts a résumé of his/her credentials. Your "résumé" is known as an online dating profile. Profiles usually consist of a series of photos, a basic questionnaire listing your general information (height, weight, occupation), followed by anywhere from two to twenty essay questions. The essays are simply information about yourself which you can write yourself. When writing your essay be specific in describing yourself as a person, your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a date. It is much easier for people to respond to your online dating profile when it contains specific information as it gives the reader some topics to talk about when they respond to your email.It is important to put up a photo of yourself. Members who post photos receive about 3 to 10 times more responses then members who do not post photos. One of the biggest complaints is that people do not look like their profiles. Putting up a picture that is not representative of how you actually look will only get you busted on the second you open the door. If you put up a picture that looks better than you, that there will not be a second date, and, in all likelihood, the first one will probably not go well. Make sure your picture was taken recently and consider taking more then one photo. Posting an online dating profile on a website is usually free. Browsing to look at other members is usually free as well. The costs of online dating are only incurred when you want to write to someone or, on most websites, when you want to write back to someone who has written to you. Some websites however give you a free trial period where you have the full features such as the Ezdate123 online dating site.Try and update your online dating profile from time to time. If you wrote an amazing profile, but you did not change it in a year and the site lists people in order of how recently profiles are changed this means that anyone who created a profile after you has a cut in line ahead of you. That could be thousands of people, which means that, in all probability, nobody has seen your impressive essays for months.Searching for an online dating mate.Remember when searching for a dream date you are not overly-specific. If you for example search for someone who is 6'0", blue eyes, brown hair, is a non smoker and loves to scuba dive, he will not show up in your search results if he does not have blue eyes and brown hair or scuba dives. The more specific you are in your online dating criteria, the fewer people you're going to be able to find.Knowing the nuances of the online dating site will not only save you time and trouble, but it will enhance your entire experience. For example, it's important to find out how the online dating site lists its members in searches. If you were searching for women within a particular age range the site may list those women in order of how close they live to your zip code, in order of when they last logged on to the website, or in order of when they last changed their profile. You can choose whichever order you like.Your introductory online dating Email to a memberYour Introductory email to a member is like your cover letter to your employer. It's a teaser that lets some-one know that you're serious about getting that online dating date.In the case of sending a letter to a member it is not good to write a generic form letter, you don't want to go too far in the other direction either. Long first letters are even worse than short ones. A women may check out a man's profile out of curiosity if he writes something brief and boring. She is unlikely however to contact him if the letter is unnecessarily long. If you cannot write something short and sweet, and you cannot write something long and thoughtful then the answer, not surprisingly, is something in between the two - but closer to the former. If you're a women, this is why its so important to write a detailed profile as it gives your potential online dating guys topics to talk when writing to you.Online dating does not require writing super great letters. But rather writing lots of them. Write to everyone that appeals to you in the area you are willing to travel. The magic formula is volume, patience, and resilience and creativity. The creativity will help you construct your winning online dating profile and your witty emails; the patience is necessary, because if you go into this thinking that you're going to fall in love in a month, you're bound to be disappointed; and resilience is a must, because in a forum like this, with millions of single people optimistically hoping to find "the one," most of us are going to have to first meet a lot of people.Getting an online dating responseIt is important that when you engage in dialogue with someone that you are yourself. Just be yourself and talk about you. Ask about the other person. Different individuals are going to have different things to say. It all depends on your life experience.Conclusion to online datingRemember the basics that we have covered: detailed, thoughtful, heartfelt, positive, witty, spell-checked essays are good. Recent, smiling, active pictures that show you with friends and family. Concise personalized emails that respond to something specific in someone's profile are an advantage.Honesty and self-confidence are probably the most important assets you can have as an online dater. If you come to the table with both of those, you'll be unstoppable. Remember, online dating is very powerful if used the right way.To find other online dating sites go to Passion Mania Online Dating Directory
Lifestyles, Online Dating and Romance: A Study of Midlife SinglesWhat comes to mind today when single men and women are mentioned is either people between 20 and 30 navigating the online dating scene, or the widowed elderly, especially women. However, with increases in life expectancy and divorce during the past century, the midlife and older single population is rapidly growing. As a result, the image of singlehood is ripe for change.This is a casual online dating survey.
Among the online dating study's findings:Singles in their 40s, 50s and 60s say their personal freedom and independence is what they like most about being single, but it comes with the price of not having someone to do things with.The majority date either exclusively or non-exclusively, but large proportions, especially of older women, take a pass on dating and sex.Only 2 percent of women say that sex is acceptable during the first date, while 20 percent of men think it is.Women want dates to have someone to talk to or do things with; men want the sexual dimension built in.Personality and sense of humor count most for both men and women, but many men emphasize physical attractiveness and sexual satisfaction.Both midlife and older men and women want to date younger individuals.
SINGLES CONNECT... Where else...ONLINE DATINGIt's way hotter than singles bars and even more favorable than friends' fix-ups.
Online Dating sites are growing each year and here is whyEach year seems to bring the online dating sites soaring growth. Cool people who thought it was the perfect answer for geeks and loosers are finding out that it is for them as well. Somehow the bars and clubs just can't compete to the vast array of singles in one online dating site.Online dating revenues rose 73 percent in 2002 and 77 percent in 2003, according to industry reports. But for 2004, the growth slowed to 19 percent. The Times says spending on online dating sites dipped during the first two quarters of 2004 to less than $114 million, compared to $117 million in the last quarter a year ago. Some companies are cutting employees. One fast-rising site chose not to go public.It seems people who jumped into the game with enthusiasm now talk about slowing down a bit with the people they met who were nothing like what they expected. Women say some men were married or just window shopping. So..... whats new. Like that never happened any where else.Here are a few things that a bar or night club has to offer that online dating will not. At a bar you can meet a drunk face to face, get a drink spilled on you, have smoke blown in your face, not understand a word they say because the music is to loud and spend hours upon hours to try to find that one sober hot person that might happen to be at the same place at the same time as you are. Hmmm, online dating you can meet literally hundreds more people, have intelligent dialogue, meet at a nice quiet place the first time to see if they can form sentences and walk without help and not vomit all over the bathroom floor. I know this is a bit graphic but most of us know what I am talking about. If you don't......
I AM PRO ONLINE DATINGAt the same time, there are still more than 800 online dating sites. Niche sites such as those for elderly singles, obese singles and gay singles are still springing up. And experts think the growth will come from the new arrivals who missed the first party.Online dating might not be for everybody but neither is a bar or night club. One thing we do know, if you want to meet someone, online dating is a good option.
Finding Love Through Online Dating ServicesVisits to online dating websites are most common among the younger, unmarried net users. 15% of all Americans with Internet access have visited an online dating web site where single adults meet, but 28% of all unmarried people with Internet access have done so too.This Valentine's season finds quite a few Americans hoping that Cupid's arrow can fly through cyberspace. Online dating is now used by a fair number of people, and young, single Internet users are particularly likely to embrace this new way of meeting. Many other Americans are abuzz with stories about online dating: though most have not used an online dating service themselves, a sizeable number know someone who has. However, a great many Americans of all ages remain skeptical that cyberspace is a good, safe way to meet people.
HOW MUCH HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD ABOUT ONLINE DATING?Over one-quarter of Americans say they have heard a lot about online dating. Those aged 18 to 29 have heard the most about it, with 48% of them saying they have seen or heard a lot about it.
SUBSCRIBE TO AN ONLINE DATING SERVICE?While many single web surfers are perhaps just flirting with the idea of online dating, some have taken the plunge and signed up for an online dating service. Among unmarried people who have Internet access, 10% say they have signed up for an Internet-based online dating service at some point.This includes 5% who say they have done it and another 5% who say that not only have they signed up, but they know someone else who has, too. Another 20% know someone who has, though they have not done so themselves.
GONE ON AN INTERNET DATE THROUGH ONLINE DATING?Some have even brought their cyber meetings into the real world. 7% of unmarried Internet users say they have gone on a date with someone they met online dating. And when someone does go on such a date, it seems to be quite a conversation topic among their friends: 42% of unmarried net users say that they know someone who has gone on a date that began online dating.
IS ONLINE DATING A GOOD WAY FOR SINGLES TO MEET?Online dating certainly hasn't won over everyone yet. Many Americans - including the young and single - are still somewhat skeptical about meeting single adults online. Overall, 67% of Americans with Internet access do not think the online world provides a good way to meet people. 24% say it does. Men are slightly more likely to be accepting of it: by 27% to 21%, more men than women with Internet access think cyberspace is a good place for single adults to meet.Not surprisingly, unmarried Internet users are much more likely than their married counterparts to think it is a good way to meet, though a majority of them are still leery of it.
ONLINE DATING - HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE?Most people who have been on an Internet date, or who know someone who has, cannot cite any bad experiences stemming from the date. However, 39% of unmarried Internet who have been on a date that originated online, or who know someone who has, report that they and/or someone they know has indeed had a bad experience.Bad dates appear to also be big topics of conversation: only 5% say they themselves have what they would call a bad experience, but 34% say they have heard about one from one of their personal friends.
IS ONLINE DATING AS SAFE OR SAFER THAN BARS/NIGHTCLUBS?When it comes to safety, 58% of Internet users think online dating is about as safe or safer than meeting people in bars or nightclubs (52% say it is as safe, 6% say it is safer.) A sizeable number, 38%, think is less safe. But women who use the net are more likely than men to think online dating is not as safe.
MARRIED FROM ONLINE DATING?So, do people who meet online dating really connect? Maybe, or maybe not, but a few currently married Internet users say they walked down the aisle with someone they met online dating, and 16% of users report that they've known people who did.

Free Online Dating News

seeking friendships,online dating news,romance

Online Dating News