Tired of looking for love in all the wrong places? Stop going on blind dates or hoping to find love in that dingy old bar.
The stigma surrounding online dating is gone, with Pew Research Center noting that online dating is popular among young and old alike.
If this is your first foray into the world of online dating, there are a few things you should know to make the most of your time online.
Keep reading for online dating advice that’ll help you get matches in no time.
Don’t Be Afraid to Branch Out
Standard dating sites like Tinder, Zoosk, Match.com, and eHarmony are great places to start. These apps and sites have millions of users combined, so creating a profile on a popular site is an easy way to increase your chances of finding a match.
But quantity doesn’t always guarantee quality. Or even matches, for that matter. The right dating app for you isn’t necessarily the most popular.
There are dozens of smaller niche dating sites that can provide quality matches, too. In fact, it seems like there’s a dating site for just about everything these days.
There are online dating sites for specific religions, occupations, income levels, and even fandoms.
While these sites won’t have as many users as, say, PlentyOfFish, joining a niche site guarantees that you have something in common with your match.
Write a Great Bio
You like long, romantic walks along the beach and brunch of Sundays. Those are wonderful traits, but they aren’t exactly unique or eye-popping.
You only have a few seconds to make a first impression. Make sure it’s a good one by creating an online profile that stands out.
Keep it light, funny, and honest. Think about the things that make you interesting and unique, then use them to your advantage.
If you’re still struggling, there’s no shame in asking your friends for a little bit of help.
Break the Ice
Your flattering photos and clever bio just helped you land a match! Now what?
The first message you send sets the tone, so put your best foot forward.
Avoid using cheesy pick-up lines. Not only are they unoriginal, but they’re likely to get you blocked or unmatched. You can do better!
Start by asking a question or mentioning something you noticed on the other person’s profile.
Stay Safe
Online dating is certainly more common than it used to be, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down immediately.
Practice safe online dating techniques and use common sense.
Don’t ever give out personal information before getting to know someone. And to avoid first date disasters and scary situations, meet up in a busy public place you’re familiar with so you can make a quick exit if needed.
Let a friend or loved one know the details of your date ahead of time. Provide a trusted loved one with your date’s name, where you’ll be meeting, and when you expect to come back. If they don’t hear from you, have them send you a text to check in.
Online Dating Advice That Works
Online dating is more popular than ever, but that can make it harder to find matches you click with. Follow our online dating advice to pique interest and meet some great new people.
And be patient. Sometimes it can take days or even weeks to get a match, even with a great profile. Don’t give up and keep looking. The love of your life could be waiting!
Do you ever wonder how online dating got so popular in the first place? Read up on the fascinating history of online dating to see how online dating became part of our culture.
