Step-by-Step Online Dating Guide

Are Online Dating Services for You? Does it Work? Get Photos Create Your Profile Anonymous Email Safety Choosing an Online Dating Service Finding Your Match Making Online Contact Making Real-World Contact Enjoy Yourself

Making Online Contact

All right, now you've found someone who really looks good to you. Now what? Send them an email! Avoid the pre-written "notes" or "winks" your site may offer. What type of first impression are they sending? Are you willing to risk looking like someone who can't be bothered with actually sending a personal message? How interested are you?

Fine, you've agreed to send a personal email message. What do you say? Start with the person's profile for clues. Compliment him or her on something from the profile. If you're writing a woman, avoid too much talk about how beautiful she is to you. You may come across as shallow or only interested in getting her in bed. Men, on the other hand, may respond more favorably to this type of attention. People love to talk about themselves, so ask questions pertaining to their profile. Asking open-ended questions will get the person to open up about himself or herself a bit. Remember not to give out your personal email, address or phone number in this first email -- wait until you have both shown interest in taking this to the next step. Keep the first contact short and avoid heavy topics. Be sure to sign with your real first name.

Take note of how long the website will keep your messages on their server - it won't be forever. You might want to save them on your own computer or print them out. If you're in contact with several people at once, figuring out a system to keep track of them is crucial.