Taking a Good Approach to Online Dating

Have you been thinking about jumping into the sea of online dating? Are you wondering what you can do to give yourself the best chance to be successful? You are not alone. Many people who want to date are using dating apps, websites, and other online tools to try to find that perfect someone. They all want the strategy that is going to get them the relationship for which they have been searching. The truth of the matter is that there is no magic trick or sleight of hand that is going to land you your soulmate.

…Success when you are looking for love online is often about your approach and expectations. Here are a few tips on how to approach online dating.

Be Yourself!

While this tip may seem like a no-brainer, many people feel pressure to be someone that they think their ideal person would like. If you find yourself attracted to a person you meet online, you may feel the urge to conform to what you think they expect. Don’t pretend to like things you don’t like or have beliefs that you don’t actually hold. That kind of behavior is not sustainable, and you won’t find a successful relationship with that tactic.

Be Open to Possibilities

If you think back to successful relationships you’ve had in the past, you’ll probably realize that you didn’t have everything in common. There are plenty of people in great relationships who are great complements to each other and don’t have everything in common. It’s possible to be a calm, laid back person and be with someone who is driven and needs to be on the go a lot of the time. You may find that you each give each other a missing piece the other really needs.

Don’t automatically swipe left if you notice that someone might be different from you in certain ways, especially if you feel like you may connect in some other ways.

Don’t Get Discouraged

There are a lot of people in this world. With all online dating, there are many people out there looking for some sort of connection. Don’t give up if you haven’t found a spark with someone after a couple of weeks. It may be frustrating to not hear back when you message someone, or when they don’t text back after what you thought was a successful first date. The key is to keep your head up and realize that there are still lots of people out there for you to meet.

Unless you get really lucky, chances are that you’ll have to go on several dates before you end up finding someone where the connection is mutual and sustainable. Until that point, have fun, and meet some interesting people.

Read Profiles

You’ve been on a dating app or a website. Have you noticed the introductions that people have written with their profiles? You should. If someone has taken the time to write about themselves, they probably expect you to be interested in what they wrote. It is often insight into who they are as a person, what they value, and what they want out of their dating experience. Reading profiles can help you in many ways.

First, you may get inspiration on how to make your message to this person stand out. You’ll never believe how many people send messages to others without taking a moment to read the profile introduction. By referencing something in their profile, you will give an indication that you have an interest in who they are as a person. Reading profiles may also allow you to see red flags or deal-breakers, so you don’t waste your time sending a message.

Take Your Time

Finding love can take time. Even if you’ve found someone that you think you might connect with, you don’t need to rush. Ask yourself if what you are doing seems like you are moving too fast. For example, just because you had a promising first date, doesn’t mean that you should be exclusive. Take your time getting to know people and discovering who is out there.

Building trust, developing communication, and getting to know someone are all things that can’t be hurried. Focus on enjoying the time it takes to do those things.

Have Fun!

Trying to find love online can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions. No matter what you do, remember to have fun. After all, if wading through the world of trying to find love online starts to feel like work, it might be time to take a break. Just relax, have a good time, and learn to enjoy the experience of meeting some lovely people.

Photo by Mark König on Unsplash