Things You'll Need:
- RECENT photo of yourself
- Computer with online access
- Separate email address for replies
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Step 1
Say "CHEESE" and SMILE! Take a picture of yourself, have a friend take one, or pay for a professional photographer. Either way, make sure it is current and that it looks like you. Try to avoid provocative pictures (unless that's the kind of crowd you are aiming for). Also, don't have other people in the picture. You don't want a potential match to mistake you for the other person in the picture!
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Step 2
When writing your profile, don't write your whole life's story. You want to keep it short, but still offer some details about yourself that someone might find interesting.
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Step 3
Be honest! If you decide not to post a photo, don't lie about how you look. Don't be afraid to say you've got a few extra pounds or you don't have as much hair as you used to. You don't want to risk your match being disappointed at first sight if you lied about your looks.
Also important - don't lie about your interests and lifestyle. If you are a single parent, animal lover, smoker, or have high Christian values - please include them in your profile. Any of these things can be deal breakers (or makers) for a lot of people, and you would be wasting their time and yours by not disclosing them up front.
You don't need to blurt them out in the first line of your profile, but find a subtle way to mention them when describing yourself. -
Step 4
Set up a separate email account for emailing potential matches. You don't want to used your main address, in case you come across someone you don't want to hear from again. If this is the only thing you use the new email address for, then it's no problem to shut it down and open a new one. If you don't want the hassle of checking several different accounts each day, try a service like Gmail that will forward to your main address.
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Step 5
When you first start corresponding with a potential match, keep contact information to a minimum. You don't know these people, and until you feel comfortable, don't give out your last name, phone number, where you work or any other personal details about yourself. I recommend at least a month of regular emails before a first phone call.
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Step 6
Start talking - when you feel comfortable. If you have their phone number already and you feel like you are ready to talk, then go ahead and make the call. Don't give out your number until you are ready, and then don't pressure the other person to call you. Once you have started talking on the phone, keep the calls going until you feel comfortable for the next step...MEETING!
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Step 7
Alright, it's time to meet! Start by meeting the person in a casual, public place. A coffee shop, bookstore or a light lunch are some good places where you can talk face-to-face. You don't want to make this an official date, so keep it very simple.
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Step 8
If you hit it off in person, then great! Set up a real date! It's been a couple of months, and you feel ready to start dating. Just remember to take things slow.
If you don't feel a spark after you meet, then be honest. Don't avoid the person, just say that you are not attracted to them. If you still like their personality, then why not keep them as a good friend?
