An Intro to Online Dating
Online dating is growing with every passing day. In 2009, Forbes.com published an article about the boom in online dating. The article states that in 2008, 8 million active singles went on a collective 24 million first dates, and 69% of those dates were arranged online!
Online dating isn't for everyone as it is quite a bit different than hunting for a date in the more traditional ways (stalking the supermarket, going to the bar, church, etc.). When it comes to online dating, the etiquette is different, and you can see more about people that are seriously looking than just their appearance.
In the physical world, you may see Jane Doe in the produce aisle, an attractive 30 year old single mother...and that's all you have to start a conversation. This takes skill, charm, and a helping of attractiveness never hurts. In the digital world, you find Jane Doe, a 32 year old accountant with a passion for photography and knitting. She has one kid, two big dogs, drives a Prius and doesn't eat meat. That's a lot of information to be able to start a conversation with, but if you didn't put the effort into your profile that Jane did, you may never hear back from her.
It takes more effort than one would expect. You need pictures of you being you, not the cheesy office headshot from 5 years ago. You need a catchy headline. You are also going to want to type out a serious profile that gives a real taste of yourself, because online dating is really about selling yourself to someone. A profile that says "I don't know what to say about myself" also implies that you don't know what you want or that you don't care enough about finding a potential lover to put more thought into things then the thought it takes to pull out the lube and a skin flick.
Online dating isn't for everyone as it is quite a bit different than hunting for a date in the more traditional ways (stalking the supermarket, going to the bar, church, etc.). When it comes to online dating, the etiquette is different, and you can see more about people that are seriously looking than just their appearance.
In the physical world, you may see Jane Doe in the produce aisle, an attractive 30 year old single mother...and that's all you have to start a conversation. This takes skill, charm, and a helping of attractiveness never hurts. In the digital world, you find Jane Doe, a 32 year old accountant with a passion for photography and knitting. She has one kid, two big dogs, drives a Prius and doesn't eat meat. That's a lot of information to be able to start a conversation with, but if you didn't put the effort into your profile that Jane did, you may never hear back from her.
It takes more effort than one would expect. You need pictures of you being you, not the cheesy office headshot from 5 years ago. You need a catchy headline. You are also going to want to type out a serious profile that gives a real taste of yourself, because online dating is really about selling yourself to someone. A profile that says "I don't know what to say about myself" also implies that you don't know what you want or that you don't care enough about finding a potential lover to put more thought into things then the thought it takes to pull out the lube and a skin flick.
Wonderful article! 4 out of the 5 relationships I've been in were a result of meeting people online, though only my final relationship was started through an online dating service. Great introduction into the online dating world!
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I had no idea that there were STD sites. I certainly learned something. I thought this article was very well written and I love your Jane Doe story analogy. I have never done online dating, but I know people who do and it has been both successful and unsuccessful.
Yup, there are STD based dating sites. I didn't even mention the other avenues (craigslist and the like) but there is seriously a niche or way for anyone to meet anyone, if you are willing to search!
Wow! STD sites? They have a website for everything. Good ole world wide web, eh!
Thanks for the article. I met my husband online, but not through a dating service. We met on a social network. We lived 200 miles apart in the same state. Talked online awhile, then on the phone. A few months later we met up and we have been together for 2 1/2 yrs since we met and now have 2 children and it's the best relationship I have ever had.