No matter how you look at it, online dating is daunting. With an overwhelming number of digital platforms where people meet and a never-ending stream of potential Mrs. Rights, how can you even find ‘The One’? The 35 essential online dating tips in this list will certainly help you score a date and, why not, maybe find the one who will see you say goodbye to celibacy.
The Ultimate 35 Online Dating Tips Proven to Score You a Date
1. It’s All in the Looks
Remember that unbreakable strategy that makes her notice you in real life? Forget it! It won’t serve you in the online medium. Your only chance to make her notice you in the stream of app feeds and news is with a killer profile picture. And by killer we mean one that truly stands out in the eyes of a woman.
Because that perfect shot of the biggest trophy you scored in the last hunting season might not be oh so impressive for the opposite sex as it is for your buddy. A grim photo of you is another no-no. If you’re unsure what image of you would make a woman visit your profile, ask your sister, your mother, or even the crazy cat lady next door to give some feedback on your selection or help you pick one.
2. Less Is More
Good! You’ve got a nice profile pic that makes heads turn with admiration. But unless you want to make her run away the moment she opens your profile, you’d better add some outstanding information to your bio.
This is perhaps the hardest part. After all, you’re awesome and surely have a lot to say about yourself. Just resist the temptation to write the history of your life in five acts. You’re not producing a Broadway play, nor the next biographical bestseller. Keep it short and entertaining. Focus on two or three of your greatest strengths, add a pinch of humor, and briefly mention your hobbies and lifestyle.
3. But Don’t Be Modest
While you don’t have to exaggerate, you don’t want to keep it too short either. Too many men believe modesty is the way to go. The flash news is that women don’t like false modesty and can spot it from miles away hidden in your profile.
You’re not good at cooking? We bet she’s not looking for a chef. Are you afraid of spiders? She could be too, but what woman will ever date a man who can’t protect her from that evil crawling creature? Putting yourself down by telling what you’re not good at will only make you sound needy and insecure. And women don’t like needy and insecure men.
4. Ditch the Drama
Another thing your potential date might not like is drama, shown shamelessly on your online dating profile.
Drama is part of life. We all have ups and downs. It’s what makes life colorful. But really, nobody cares about your drama. At least not before knowing you. Whether it’s struggling with a job you don’t like or you’re still living with your mother, keep it out of your profile.
5. Add Personality
What you should do instead, if you want your online profile to shine, is add some personality to it. Make your bio unique by talking about your hobbies, likes, and dislikes. Say what you like in Russian singles and what you’re expecting from a future date — without exaggerating, though. Don’t worry if you’re unsure what to say, just ask a friend or family member to help you craft your bio.
6. Forget the Flesh
A quick look at the male profiles on any Russian dating site will reveal an astonishing number of semi-nude profile pictures. Yet, most of the women out there are not interested in your six-pack. Nor in what you’ve got down under. More often than not, too much flesh will make women swipe by your profile without sending a wink.
Women have a different mindset and sex is not their main concern. Even those women going out with men for sex alone will appreciate more a decent picture of you. Sure, you don’t have to wear a tuxedo. But a tidy outfit highlighting your figure will certainly attract more.
7. Know What You’re Looking For
Congratulations! You’ve got your profile up and running. But if you’re new to online dating, your first login might blow you off with an endless stream of single Russian women looking for a date. You could even be tempted to click on all profile photos and start a chat with every nice lady around.
We won’t tell you it’s a bad idea. Go ahead, give it a go, and you’ll find out for yourself why it’s good to establish what you’re interested in right from the start and filter the search results accordingly.
8. Put Yourself in Her Shoes
One of the greatest online dating advice to follow if you want to be successful in your quest is to put yourself in her shoes. Think from the perspective of a woman to determine what’s an acceptable behavior online and what is not.
You don’t have to do this by yourself: a female friend can always help. A woman’s advice when building your profile is also useful as she will help you write an attractive bio from a woman’s point of view.
9. Wink Back
Most dating websites allow members to send winks, smiles or likes to other members they like. Due to the differences between the male and female psychology concerning relationships, it is very unlikely to see a woman breaking the ice with a straightforward message. In fact, most women choose to draw attention in more subtle ways. You’ve got it! By sending winks, smiles, or likes.
Once you receive them, it’s nice to react. Whether it’s a wink back if you’re at the office, or a simple line saying hi, your reaction will let her know she caught your attention, simplifying communication.
10. Or Better Say Something
If the wink that got you by surprise arrived in a good moment, one online dating advice suggests engaging in the conversation right away. First of all, you’re both online, and this means she’ll be able to answer you immediately. Also, know that women receive dozens of messages each day. If you don’t engage into conversation quickly, chances are your message will end up lost, buried by all other hello’s she receives.
So, don’t wait for it. Catch her with an interesting conversation right away. According to the expert internet dating tips, it’s also important to say more than hi. Tell her something cute, ask a question, or make a joke that will get her hooked.
11. But Customize Your Message
And this leads us to our next online dating advice. Customize your message. Stand out from the crowd. It is also advisable to send a different message to each woman you contact.
Now, there is no need to despair. At first, sending a different message each time could seem overwhelming. But it’s simpler than it looks. The trick is to pay attention to her profile and comment on something in it, but never on her looks. Maybe you two share a hobby. Perhaps you’ve recognized a place in her photo and have something nice to say about it. Regardless of what it is, find a thing in her profile to use as an icebreaker, and always send a customized message.
12. And Watch Your Language
Among the many online dating tips, one we can’t emphasize enough is to watch your language. Sometimes it’s good to remain silent. If you don’t like a lady who sent you a wink, simply don’t reply.
Avoid sending offensive messages and accept differences of opinion. One of the advantages of dating online is that you can be selective and no one will mind.
13. Don’t Text Speak
Many dating apps and sites have messenger-like features similar to our mobile’s chat apps. This often leads us to communicate in a text-like manner. However, if you really want to impress her, write the full words and avoid using online slang. Act like a grownup and write accordingly. Otherwise, chances are she will never reply. Or if she does, chances are she’ll stop replying quite quickly.
14. Ask Questions
Dating websites have a world all of their own, where standing out from the crowd takes loads of inspiration. The best way to engage in conversation, according to the dating experts, is by placing her at the center of everything. Don’t talk about you. Ask questions and be interested in what kind of person she is. Discover what she likes, what she dislikes, what are her hobbies and interests.
15. Don’t Ask for More Photos
Another piece of relationship advice to follow if you want to be successful online is to avoid asking for more photos. It doesn’t matter if she has dozens or just one photo on her profile. Live with it and act like a grown up once again.
If you want to see more of her, ask her out. Or wait for her to send another picture or ask you to join a video chat session.
16. Be Yourself
Another thing to know if you want to find love online is to be yourself. When chatting on a dating site, it’s quite tempting to mask our true selves. But the mask will fall off the moment you meet her in person.
So, one of the best online dating tips to follow is to show your true personality in all its glory and right from the start.
17. Don’t Keep Her Waiting
So, you’ve achieved a new milestone and had your first reply. Cool! But now, don’t keep your girl waiting. Reply to messages as soon as you can. Be present and show your interest. Because if you don’t, someone else will.
Perhaps one of the most important things of chatting online is showing that you care. The only way to do this in a virtual world is through responsiveness. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing. If you had the time to see you’ve got a message, you must also have the time to send a line telling you’re busy and that you’re going to talk later.
18. Ask Her Out
In the same line with don’t keep her waiting, we must say you don’t have to wait for years until asking her out. One of the most useful tips for online dating coming directly from women is to make your move quickly.
You’ve had the first chat and now you feel like you’ve enjoyed that? Ask this girl out. Whether it’s the morning coffee or an afternoon drink, just go for it. Yes, you could face rejection. But that’s part of the game. After all, there is a sea of beautiful Russian women looking for a date online, so you will find the one willing to have a coffee with you sooner or later. Just don’t wait for too long.
19. Let Her Pick the Location
Perhaps the greatest issue with online dates is safety, and this is more urgent for women than men. Her not feeling safe is also one of the main reasons for rejection.
To avoid it, upscale your game and let your date pick the location. This move comes with bonus points. On one hand, she’ll have the chance to pick a place where she feels safe, increasing your odds of going on a real date. On the other hand, it will show that you care about her feelings. She is the leader of your first date, and trust us: all women appreciate such an open man.
20. Yet Have a Backup Plan
The only thing to keep in mind is that you need a backup plan, too. There are also women who will not pick the location, telling you to pick one instead. And sorry for the news, but the pub where you gather with your buddies is not the best place to take your date.
There are many first date ideas to follow. For instance, if you’ve noticed she likes art, you can go to a museum. If coffee or drinks are a mandatory part of the picture, check out a new art café or a steam-punk bar. A walk in the park is also a great idea if she’s into hiking or outdoor activities. Regardless of your choice, make sure to propose something you know she’ll enjoy, as this will raise your chances of success.
21. Don’t Mention Your Ex
Now that’s all settled, and you’re enjoying your first date, don’t ruin it by mentioning your ex. We know, she broke your heart, stole your money, or cheated on you with your best friend. But you know what? Your date doesn’t want to know all this. If she does, she’ll ask.
Talking about your ex will only show your date that you still live in the past. No woman will ever engage into something serious with a man that’s not yet over their ex. Putting your ex in a negative light also speaks volumes about yourself, putting you in a negative light, too. Your date will perhaps wonder what negative traits you’re going to say about her, and this reduces your chances of landing a second date.
22. Offer to Pay
An unsaid rule says that whoever asks for a date has to pay. So, if you initiated this date, be prepared to pay for your lady’s drink or food too. There is nothing more upsetting for a woman than going on a date with a man that doesn’t offer to pay for the whole brunch or dinner.
Even if she’s not expecting you to pay for dinner, you still have to offer to pay. So, make sure you have enough money in your wallet to avoid the awkward situation where you confess you can’t cover the entire bill.
23. But Split the Bill If She Wants To
However, don’t insist on paying. Most of the women who are into online dating are mature enough to know we all work for money. And most of them will not expect you to pay for their drink or dinner. While it’s nice to pay for what she had, it’s also nice to accept to split the bill if she wants to.
This is one of the online dating tips coming from the experts, and you should stick to it. Your date might want to split the bill for various reasons. Perhaps she didn’t like you and didn’t want to see you again. Maybe she doesn’t want to feel in debt with someone she just met. The best thing to do is to respect a lady’s decision, whatever that is.
24. Exchange Numbers
If your first date was a success, don’t forget to exchange numbers before splitting ways. Don’t rely on the fact that you can contact online any time. Not asking for a number will make the girl believe you’re not interested in going out together anymore.
Messaging her on a dating platform after you’ve met in person will seem like you didn’t find someone else yet, and that she’s a great substitute. Obviously, you might genuinely like her, but the only way to show it is by asking for her number.
25. Call Her the Next Day
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re not exactly Prince Charming and that in the real world, it’s the man who is supposed to chase a woman – and not the other way around.
Whether you liked the time you’ve spent together or not, our advice is to give your date a call the next day anyway. It’s all about being respectful, and it’s also a great opportunity to ask for a second date if you liked the first one.
26. Take Things Slowly
Just because meeting in person was nice and you’ve exchanged numbers, you don’t have the right to become obsessive. Take things slowly when you’re calling her the next day. Ask how she spent the night and whether she has any plans for the day.
Ask if she wants to go on a second date, but don’t insist. She can pick the day and time of a future encounter. Again, this will win you some points as she’ll see that you’re interested, but also mature enough to understand that adult people may have other commitments, too.
27. Don’t Play Games
The experts also emphasize on another piece of online dating advice you should follow. Don’t play games. You could be into online dating for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re actually after casual face-to-face meetings. Or maybe you’re looking for the love of your life. Whatever the reason, make it clear from the start. You’d be surprised how many women will stand up to the game and go on a date even if you say you only want a hookup.
The most important thing is honesty. She’ll know what to expect when she sees you, and you’ll avoid the awkward situation of having to explain to a sensitive lady that all you wanted was a night of sex.
28. Respect Boundaries
One thing to always remember is that you must always respect boundaries. It doesn’t matter if it’s online or offline – if she doesn’t want to take the conversation further, just stop. If she’s not ready to give you a kiss, don’t insist.
We are all entitled to our views and opinions, and pushing someone outside of their boundaries is one of the most horrible things to do.
29. Keep an Open Mind
Online dating comes with a load of peculiarities. Therefore, it’s important to always keep an open mind. Start with removing the filters used for searching. Just because you like blonde women with blue eyes, it doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love with a brunette.
Ditch the distance filters, too. Perhaps you only want to date women located within proximity, but the love of your life could live further away. Don’t follow staples, keep your mind open, and let life happen. You’ll be surprised how many awesome people you can meet by just letting things flow in a more relaxed way.
30. Give Her a Second Chance
You must also remember we’re all different. There are shy people in this world, and not everyone is a master of showing their best traits either online or on a first date. Our advice is to give your online date a second chance if things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Remember that some women may need more time to open and let their personality shine.
31. Be Selective
The most awesome thing is that you can be selective while keeping an open mind. Scrolling through dozens of profiles gives you the opportunity to pick just those ladies that really attract you.
If you’ve got a wink, but you don’t like what you see or read, simply don’t respond.
Like we told you already, online dating comes with peculiarities. One of these is that nobody will get offended if you don’t respond to a reaction or scroll past a profile.
32. Share Your Online Dating Experiences
Experts sharing online dating tips also claim that a real icebreaker conversation during the first offline date is one geared towards your online experiences. It’s very likely that both of you have a lot of funny stories to share.
Keep the conversation positive though, and only focus on the funny things. For instance, you could talk of the most awkward messages you both received. Sharing these particulars will help you create a bond that will eventually make the conversation flow naturally while relaxing the atmosphere.
33. Don’t Be Afraid to Kiss Her
Another thing to know is that it’s okay to kiss on the first date, provided the girl is up to it. If all went well and you feel there is a bond between you two, just go for it. If she feels the same way, chances are she’ll agree for the kiss.
34. Have Sex If You Both Want To
It is also perfectly okay to have sex right away if you both want to. There is no reason to wait for days. We’re not in the middle ages anymore. Two responsible adults are perfectly capable of choosing for themselves when to share the first night together, and there is nothing wrong to consume it right after the first date.
If you’re an old-fashion guy, also know that if a woman goes to bed with a man she just met it doesn’t mean she’s not serious. Maybe she really likes you and wants to unleash what she is feeling right away.
35. Arm Yourself with Patience
Online dating is fun and daunting at the same time. You’re competing against a myriad of other men, and the woman you like could have a crush on someone else. Or your first date could turn into a total fiasco.
Finding someone, online or offline, is never easy. So, arm yourself with patience and let things flow. Be consistent in your search and sooner or later you’ll undoubtedly find the one who’s worth your time.
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