So, you can’t seem to find Mr. or Ms, Right? You’ve searched high and low and still come up  empty handed. Maybe you’re tired of finding the same type of people with the same set of issues,  and their goals, dreams, interests and personality just don’t mesh with yours. Did you know  Online Dating can take the hassle out of finding the perfect person? With computer generated  matching systems, technology has taken the error out of dating.  It’s important to go into Online Dating with an open mind. First, don’t prejudge yourself or the  people who turn to Online Dating, rejecting conventional methods, for whatever reasons. Second,  don’t let yourself feel like you’ve failed at the dating scene and this is your last resort.  You’re just “exploring your options”. And third, stay level headed and remain safe. Don’t give  your information out to anybody who asks or sends you theirs. Make them work for it! Remember,  you are worth it!

Obvious necessities for online dating include a computer or laptop and internet connection.  Other not so necessary but useful tools would include a list of qualities you possess and that  which you are looking for in a potential partner. This should be well thought out and not done  spur of the moment, like when the service prompts you!

Okay, moving on to the fun stuff! Here is a list of essentials to optimize your Online Dating  experience:

Put Your Best Face Forward

For obvious reasons, its a good idea to give prospective dates an idea of what you look like.  You really don’t want to form a mutual interest with someone to ultimately find that neither of  you is attractive to the other. The same goes for that prospective date, they should have a  photo available for you to view. Many Online Dating services give their members the option to  search with or without photos. A vast majority won’t even browse profiles of other members  without photos. A good photo to use here would be of you alone, not a large group of partying  buddies or girlfriends.

Keep Things Interesting

Your personal greeting should be upbeat and give a brief description of yourself. You should  
re-word this greeting occasionally so things don’t get boring and update your picture just as  
often, or add to an online collection. Give them something to keep coming back for. If you speak  about yourself in a positive light, it will draw people to you, making them want to know more.  It will encourage them to read on. And that’s what it’s all about!

I Said Be Confident, Not Conceited

As important as it is to highlight your finer attributes, don’t rave on about what a fabulous  kisser you are. It’s a good idea to brag about important things that another serious dater would  find compelling, but it’s not advisable to explain how you came by that unspeakable tattoo or how  you hold the record for the most shots in 15 minutes. Real people are interested in real things  like, careers, children, goals, ambitions, religious affiliation and common interests. Leave the  other stuff for the 4th date!

I Thought You Said You Had a PHD

Okay, honestly, if I have to tell you not to lie, maybe Online Dating isn’t for you. You’d do  
much better at the bar scene. Honesty is always, hands-down, the best policy. Do you want to be  
lied to? I hope you said no... Lying gets to be a confusing tangle of remember what really  
happened and what you said happened. Unless you are prepared to document every conversation you  
have with all your prospective dates, for future reference, try just sticking to the truth.
Do Unto Others...

It’s nice to be nice. At some point, there will inevitably be someone interested in you, that  you do not share the same feelings with. Rather than blowing them off or being cruel in the  telling, try subtle honesty, saying that you would like to continue your search and feel that  the two of you aren’t right for each other. Remember, what goes around, comes around. You don’t  want to be waiting on a sucker punch, do you?

This is just a general rule of thumb, kind of list. It’s always important to follow your  instincts when it comes to deciding on a partner. Be sensible, be fair, be nice and have fun!