What to do and not do when dating online.

Many people who have not been involved in online dating sites before can be a little unsure of what to do and can sometimes be afraid of making fools of themselves. Well these pointers should help to put your mind at ease if you fall into this category.

The first thing you must do when filling out the form is usually to enter a username. This is a name by which you will be known to the other members on the site. Your real name is not disclosed to the other members until you decide to do so yourself. Make your username interesting and even mysterious. Unless you are actively looking for a certain type of contact it might be better to avoid a suggestive one. If you do get unwelcome attention on the site simply block the user from messaging you.

Avoid the temptation to run at the site like a hungry boy in a sweet shop. That may put your prospective partners off. Instead put your profile out there and wait a few days. Then if you do not get the desired response do some searching yourself choosing a few at a time to message.

Do not disclose too much information at first. A good rule of thumb is to tell nothing in your messages or emails that you would not tell on a first or second date. Give no personal information that can identify you. Do not give information about earnings or previous relationships or where you live.

Do submit at least on photograph. Men are more visually oriented than women and are reluctant to enter a relationship blind. This does not mean that members with certain attributes that are usually perceived as less desirable will not get a response. Just the opposite is the case. The old saying “There is a lid for every pot” is never more clearly demonstrated than when you are dating online.

If you have begun to message someone and this person refuses to send a photograph I would recommend you discontinue communication immediately. This is because they may be hiding something. It may sound shallow and there may be genuine reasons for their behaviour. For example they may be disfigured and therefore not comfortable sending a picture of themselves. But I have to say that on balance you should err on the side of caution.

It is a good idea to wait maybe a day or so before responding to any messages or emails you get from a member. This is just so that you do not look too desperate. Let’s face it we have all been desperate at some time in our lives. But, there is no need to let people know.

Another good way of looking like you have a busy social calendar is to not log into your membership account on Friday and Saturday nights. It will give the impression that you are too busy clubbing to have the time to log in.

Girls, if your "target member" does not ask you out or show any interest after two or three emails/messages then move on. If he is interested he will ask you out.

Writing a short reply to long emails or messages can give the impression that you are not interested. There is no need to write a book, just say something. How can he make an assessment about you or decide to be interested if he has nothing to base his decision on?

Finally. Don’t be shy. There are lots and lots of people out there who will be very interested in you and will be keen to meet you. If at first you do not succeed, move on to the next member or next site. With Online Dating you can get yourself before thousands more potential partners than any other way on this planet. (Short of being a celebrity)

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