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Well, that happened quickly! One day we were going about our business as usual, and all of a sudden, our lives are spent at home and online. Hey…it’s not so bad. We all need to have a little downtime anyway, am I right?
Plus, technology is fantastic, and you can get basically everything you need right from your laptop or your phone. Easy Peasy!
Okay, maybe not everything is easier in an online world. Take dating, for instance. It is one of those things that is looking wildly different these days. Yes, we have had online dating and match sites for a long time time, but it’s just different right now.
No instant hookups, no “let’s meet for drinks” after a few chats. Nope, you actually have to get to know each other now, you guys! Seriously. The good news is that dating successfully in an online world can happen, and honestly, it can be even better than before!
Online Dating Done Right
Look, online dating is actually really, really awesome. I mean, you don’t even have to hang out at bars or clubs just hoping to meet someone anymore, and I love that! You can have your pick of dating prospects right in front of you.
It can also be a bit tricky, but that’s okay! Let’s chat about tricks for dating successfully in an online world and how once life gets back to normal, and you get to meet them in person, you may find that you have chosen your perfect match.
Focus on Your Profile
Okay, the first step in dating successfully in an online world is to create the perfect profile on your dating site of choice. This should be broken down into several sections.
Your Photo
Choose a great photo of yourself that shows your true self. No silly puppy filters, my friends, make it authentic. Don’t post a professional headshot, either.
You need a profile photo that shows that you are fun and relaxed. A picture that makes people want to spend time with you.
Remember that your profile photo is the first thing that a prospective date is going to see, make them want to get to know you better!
Your Bio
When you are writing about yourself on your profile, be real. Don’t write fake stuff that you think people will be interested in.
To interest someone that you want to date, make sure that you are vulnerable, sincere, fun, and mostly, yourself. Being authentic will keep you from sounding needy or tacky and pompous.
Plus, you will know that the person wants you for you, not some fake version of you.
Communication is Key
Communication is key in many, many things in life, including and perhaps, most importantly, in relationships. Here are some tips to be sure to get your communication off on the right foot.
Your First Message
Do not blindly send out messages to people on dating sites. Unless you want it strictly for a hookup opportunity, you do actually want to connect with people who you find interesting.
A great profile picture only goes so far. You want to look at their profile and bio before you message them. Look at the small details in their profile.
Do you both like the same obscure movie or book? Are they attending a college that you have been to? Do you have anything in common professionally?
Make sure you are prepared to have a conversation with them that will draw them in.
When reaching out, be sure to show interest in something in their profile, other than looks. Give them a non-sexual compliment. Pay attention; it goes a long way.
Continuing After The First Message
Dating successfully in an online world involves a lot of communication.
Like we mentioned earlier, it is no longer about hooking up. For the foreseeable future, there will be no meetups, no in-person dates, just good old fashioned communication and getting to know each other.
While that may sound daunting and nerve-wracking, it is actually great news! Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is exactly what you need.
Once you have messaged back and forth a couple of times, you are comfortable, and you are interested in moving forward with getting to know them, suggest moving your conversation off of the dating site. Some people choose to text, but many more move it to Facebook or Whatsapp.
Facebook is going to be a little more personal because, in a way, you are inviting them into your life. They will get to see more photos of you (yes, even those tagged photos that we all hate so much), and they will get to see more of your interests in the things that you share.
Once you have communicated like this for a while, you might even suggest phone calls or video chatting. These are the next best thing to meeting in person, and they take you one step further to really getting to know a person.
The beauty of a long, drawn-out online dating relationship is that you have a lot of time to get to know a person and a long time to “woo them.” When was the last time someone tried to woo you? It’s a nice feeling knowing that someone wants to get to know you for you and not just for a hookup.
Have you been online dating? If you feel comfortable, please feel free to share your online dating tales with us!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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