Remember when online dating was uncharted territory?
People used to laugh at the idea of meeting their significant other online, and now almost 50 million people in the US alone are dating online.
The Internet totally changed the dating game and brought new dating tips with it. Not only do you have to impress on that first date, but you also have to make a good first impression with your profile and online conversations.
Online dating has exploded in recent years, so you have to be clever to stand out. To master the art of online dating, let’s count down the 10 dating tips for finding “the one” online.
Stop The Disappearing Act
Contrary to popular belief, playing hard to get isn’t cute, especially online.
If you’re serious about finding the right partner, you have to be present. Wouldn’t you want the same from your potential partner?
Even though you’re behind a computer screen, think of online dating as an in-person activity. You wouldn’t just walk away from a conversation without any rhyme or reason, so don’t leave online conversations hanging either.
Make sure to respond to online chats and messages in a timely manner and properly excuse yourself from a conversation if something comes up.
Show A Little Humility
You’re a human, not a superhero.
You want potential partners to like you, so of course, you want to talk about your accomplishments. But there is a fine line between discussing your life and bragging about it.
You need to strike a balance, so avoid monopolizing the conversation by talking solely about yourself, your dreams, and your accomplishments. Ask substantive questions that spark a two-sided conversation so you can talk about your accomplishments in a less obnoxious way.
Apply this same logic to your dating profile and photos.
Show A Little Decency
This may be one of the most obvious dating tips, but many online daters have not gotten the memo.
Face it, there is a sea of weirdos online. That’s why one of the best ways to stand out online is to simply not be a creep!
Aside from never sending pictures of your genitalia, make sure to ooze class in your profile picture, photos, profile text, and online conversations.
Moreover, make sure you’ve joined a dating community for the right reasons. Most profiles offer the option of “casual hookups”, so if you’re looking for someone serious, check the “looking for a relationship” box.
Embrace Commitment, Excude Maturity
“I have commitment issues.”
I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase more than you care to remember, so why would you want to see it in a dating profile?
Being dubious to commitment and monogamy is a turn off for anyone looking for a solid, serious relationship. You’re not 18 anymore, so don’t be afraid to admit that you’re looking for long-term commitment or marriage.
Remember to act like an adult!
Avoid Self-Deprecating Yourself
Don’t you hate it when people say, “be yourself?’
That’s easy to say when you’re confident and in control of your life, but breaking up with someone takes a huge toll on your self-esteem.
Of course, you should “be yourself”, but when you’re not confident you’re prone to self-deprecation.
Self-deprecation is a classic defense mechanism. Instead of waiting for someone to insult you, you insult yourself first.
Thing is, when someone is trying to date you, the last thing they want is to insult you. Constantly criticizing yourself dampens the mood and prevents your best qualities from shining through. Therefore, do your best to refrain from self-deprecating yourself in your profile and in online conversations.
Don’t Bring Up The Ex
One of the most classic dating tips is also the most ignored.
Don’t talk about your ex in person and online. As you start to develop your relationship, it’s perfectly fine to discuss your previous relationship with your new partner. It’s good to maintain a level of transparency, as that builds trust.
However, talking about your ex too much, especially in your first online chat, will make any potential partner run for the hills. It doesn’t make them feel valued, wanted, or good enough.
Remember, potential partners are also on this crazy online dating journey too. How would you feel if they talked incessantly about their ex?
Basic Is Boring: Spice Up Your Profile With These Dating Tips
You learned earlier that humility is sexy, but this doesn’t mean you have to be boring.
You want to present stability, maturity, and thoughtfulness, but don’t hesitate to throw in a dash of excitement or even a little sarcasm.
Remember that humor goes a long way. Time and time again, studies show that people with a great sense of humor are more desirable. Moreover, having a great sense of humor makes it easier to adapt to new social situations and spark substantiative conversation.
So don’t let your profile be a wallflower!
Show off your humorous, light-hearted side to prove you’re not all doom and gloom.
Keep Your Profile Short and Sweet
How do you capture who you are in a dating profile? By keeping it short!
It’s tempting to write a novel for your dating bio, but you may surprise yourself by holding back.
Truth is, online daters go through lots of different profiles, especially on Tinder. Like any other blogger or webmaster, you only have a few seconds to impress.
That’s why your profile should be no more than 100 words. Challenge yourself to describe who you are in four sentences or less.
Have A Partner In Crime
Re-entering the dating world is a big deal, especially if you’ve never tried online dating before. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to really talk to about it?
Some of the best dating tips of yesteryear still apply to online dating, and that’s dating with groups and friends.
If you have a friend who’s also braving the online dating world, you may find it easier to go on group dates and activities if you had a partner in crime.
This way, you can have someone who really understands what you’re going through and will offer sound and honest advice. Of course, you love your married friends, but it’s nice to have friends who truly understand the highs and lows of online dating
Be Honest and Don’t Catfish
“You don’t look like your picture.”
Ever been down this road before?
This is an all too common problem with online dating. That’s why it’s important to use reputable dating websites that do their best to verify profiles for accuracy.
However, catfishing is not unavoidable and you should never do it yourself. Ever.
A catfish is someone who creates a fake dating profile to trap or trick people. Everyone from suspicious partners to professional con artists can create catfish profiles. People will also use fake or severely outdated profile photos to attract people as well.
Since you’re impersonating someone else’s identity, you could land yourself in major hot water. So avoid catfishing at all costs.
It’s also okay to seek advice about your dating profile. In fact, 1 in 5 online daters actually seek out help with their profiles, so don’t hesitate to get a second or third opinion.
Online dating may seem scary at first, but once you get into it, it’s a great way to meet new friends and significant others.
When you’re ready to start dating online, sit down and brainstorm ideas to help you shine online and meet the right partner for you.
