Online dating - when to respond and what to say?

nique Online Profile Photo Tips and Tricks
Your online dating profile’s biography could have every man wanting to get to know you, but if your picture is less than stellar, you won’t get many inquiries. By taking the time to capture a few good photographs that reveal your best traits, you’ll ensure a high volume of responses and will be part of the dating scene in no time. Here are a few basic pointers to keep in mind when creating your online photo album:
-Keep It Natural-
If you don’t really wear much makeup, don’t cake on the concealer for your pic. Do you normally spend a maximum of five minutes on your hair each morning? Don’t go crazy with the hot rollers for your photo. Be sure to look as original to your true nature as possible (while hiding any unsightly blemishes). Staying faithful to your normal appearance also includes wardrobe. Remember, whoever men see in your photo is who they expect to show up on the first date. Unless you plan on maintaining a look that is not your own, be sure to appear like yourself in anything you put online.
-Pay Attention to Lighting-
By no means must you hire a professional photographer for your profile, but you should definitely try to use soft, natural lighting for your picture(s). Make sure you aren’t backlit so the picture is not too dark, and try not to stand near fluorescent or tinted lights.
-Smile like You Mean It-
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and most of those words are negative if you don’t show your best smile. Don’t be disingenuous, smile as naturally as possible, and try to show your teeth for maximum effect. Also, be sure to make eye contact with the camera. Looking away while making a flirty face can actually significantly diminish your responses (1).
-Context Clues-
While your written bio can expound on your numerous travels to India or your love of sailing, a picture of you in a sailboat or in front of the Taj Mahal will get you many more responses (1). If you love your dog, don’t be afraid to include them in the picture. Are you a big fan of a particular sports team? Show your love by wearing a (flattering) jersey or hat. However, this tip can be taken too far. Don’t show yourself participating in any illegal interests, however much you truly enjoy them, and try to keep the photo still focused on your face and upper body.
-Show Some Skin-
The operative word here is “some.” Studies have shown that the more skin a woman shows, the more responses and conversation invites she receives, and this trend is particularly strong the older a woman gets (1. However, keep in mind all that attention may not be from the type of guy you actually want to date. Go ahead and show a little cleavage and maybe bare the arms if you’re comfortable, but rethink that beachfront bikini shot.
References:
HYPERLINK "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/online-dating-profile-pic_n_465227.html" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/online-dating-profile-pic_n_465227.html
























Online Profile Bios: Share Yourself without Losing Yourself
One of the most difficult things about dating online is showing the internet community who you are through a written mini-biography. It is certainly a daunting task to write about yourself without letting ego or negativity creep in. If you create a great online profile, your dating life will be enjoyable. If you slip up somewhere along the line, you could be in for a string of frustrating experiences. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind as you write:
-Know What You Want and Say So-
Ask most people why they are a member of an online romantic site, and they’ll tell you they want to go on a date. This is neither new nor useful information. Think of why you are putting yourself on the interwebs- do you want to find a quick fling, are you interested in something serious, or are you out looking for your future husband? Also, make a brief list of your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and no-no’s, and include it in your profile (1). Can’t stand smokers? Let everyone know so they don’t waste your time. Do you absolutely love a man who can cook? Let those amateur (and, hey, even professional) chefs out there know you might be a perfect match. The main thing to remember here is without being clear and upfront about your intentions, any date that may come up will be unsure how to proceed. And, if you aren’t sure why you’ve created an online profile in the first place, that may be a major indicator to hit the pause button until you are fully aware of your wants and needs.
-Show Who You Are-
Even though you may not think the fact you love Russian literature and Woody Allen films is useful information, those details may be the deciding factor for a significant other to respond to your profile (1). You never know what someone may find attractive, so put it all out there and see what sticks. Don’t write your life story, but your mini-bio should provide a clear picture of the current you to a complete stranger.
-Demand Attention-
Most online dating websites provide a space for you to create a catchy headline, so come up with something that describes you relatively well in a creative way (1). If you aren’t sure what to write, browse your site’s profiles and see what headlines stand out the most to you. Don’t copy anyone verbatim, but use your favorites as inspiration. On a similar note, make sure your screen name also reveals something about you, like YogaChick87 or FilmNoirNut64.
-Stay Classy-
Negative remarks or egotistical phrases are unwelcome in an online dating biography. No one wants to get to know someone who proudly declares “No losers, please,” and if you begin tearing yourself down, it makes it much easier for strangers to entirely dismiss you (1). Talk about your best traits, omit anything you are embarrassed about, and most importantly, be honest. If you lie about anything, even what you think is a minor detail, you’re setting a trap for your future self to fall into later. Make sure your date is truly interested in you by not allowing them to see anything else.
References:
HYPERLINK "http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Good-Online-Dating-Profile" http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Good-Online-Dating-Profile

























Online Communication: When to Respond and What to Say

You've written a great online dating profile and you've taken and posted your favorite pictures. You've even gotten a few “winks” and a couple of emails. Now what? Follow these basic rules to avoid coming on too strong or appearing desperate while keeping your dating game fresh, fun, and full of results.

-Don’t Respond Too Quickly-

Even though you may be watching your profile activity like a hawk, try not to give that away by immediately responding to messages within nanoseconds. As a basic rule, check your messages once a day and respond to emails after 24 hours of receiving them (1).  It’s definitely ok to be excited by someone interested in you, but take the time to read their bio, go through a few of their photos, and really consider if they are a potential match. Conversely, don’t take too much time to get back to someone who sparks your interest. If you start to become less active in your profile, you’ll be in a dating rut in no time.

-When to Ignore Completely-

As you may have already noticed, the world of online dating can inundate you with messages from men who may be interested in you. While this volume of emails can be a great way to feel better on a bad day, most women get overwhelmed and eventually fed up with the level of activity they feel expected to execute on a daily basis with their profile. The best way to weed out the good from the bad in your inbox is to be brutal (2). Generic message? Delete. Anything with z’s substituted for s’s? Bye-bye. Horrible profile pic? See ya. However, the jury is still out as to whether you should respond to someone who took the time to write a personalized message but you simply don’t find at all attractive. They might include details from your profile and could even be sweet and thoughtful, but after perusing their information, you can honestly say you’d never date them. It’s up to you whether to ignore these messages entirely or politely respond you are not interested. Whatever you do, be sure to stay true to your feelings and make a genuine effort to not hurt anyone’s feelings.

-What to Say-

Even though email communication is usually initiated by men, this trend is changing course and starting to become less male-dominant. If you choose to start a conversation and send someone a message, be sure to keep it short, original, and positive. Your first email should not be longer than three to eight sentences, or around one paragraph (3). It should also reference some things in the recipient’s profile and detail what specific parts of their personality you found attractive. Also, even though you may be feeling a bit unsure of yourself, stay positive. No one wants to date anyone who is wallowing in their own self-pity, and confidence pays some serious dividends. By taking the time to write brief, unique, witty messages, your emails will stand out from the rest and garner more responses.

References:
http://creatordating.com/when-to-respond-to-online-dating-messages
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/online-dating-rejection
http://www.buzzfeed.com/annals/9-steps-to-the-perfect-online-dating-message