Finding Romance Online

Once you have taken the plunge and decided to reach out online, you will want to remember a number of things in order to be successful and keep yourself safe in the process. Begin by being honest with yourself and taking an inventory of what you are really looking for in a potential date or life companion. Your own profile should list those things that are important to you in your life and in another person as well. Once your criteria are in place, your next step is to begin reading other members profiles. Pay close attention to both their descriptions of themselves and the things they are looking for in a potential mate. It is a disservice to you and the other person to make contact when you share very few common interests. Looks are one thing, and they are important, of course, but as the old saying goes, "Looks are not everything." In order to create a meaningful and lasting relationship, you will need to seek out people with whom you can connect on a variety of levels. Before you reach out, give careful thought to the things that person has said, and think about how well their interests match your own. After you have found someone interesting, craft a "hello" that is low-key and light, emphasize the things you seem to have in common, and offer to exchange responses to explore the possibility of further contact. Keep it rather short. This is not the time for your life story. You are simply sending "a shot across the bow" to see if that person is interested in corresponding. Also, make sure to spell check your response because you are making your first impression strictly through your choice of words, syntax, punctuation, and spelling. Nothing will kill your chances at receiving a response faster than a poorly worded, sloppily spelled note. NEVER send a generic, one-size-fits-all response. That is a sure sign of insincerity to people who receive it, even if your only intention was to save time and energy. It will always be misinterpreted, and you will come across as shallow and insincere-two giant turn-offs. Look closely at who is available; then send a short note that emphasizes why you were attracted to their profile. Then wait for a response. If one is not quick in coming, it does not necessarily mean that person is not interested. Some people only check their e-mail occasionally, and it is possible they have not read your note. So if you do not hear back the next day, do not despair, but do not begin sending notes every day, either. It IS possible that your note and profile did not fit what that person is looking for, and you may never hear from them. However, if you have waited a week or so, it is not considered bad etiquette to send a very brief note that explains that you are writing again only because it is possible your original note did not reach them. If you hear nothing the second time, it is best to move on. You can be successful in finding the love of your life online. Thousands of people have done it, and there is no reason you cannot join that growing number. Being selective, creative, and sincere will go a long way toward helping you find the love you seek.