Pick your perfect date: 5 tips
Randy B. Hecht, Match

How great is 21st century technology? You want to meet someone new, you just go online, search for singles, and voilà! You've got a dating database right at your fingertips.

But, yikes! There are an awful lot of prospects in that database. How do you sort through them all? We've collected these tips to help you zero in on the candidates most likely to be a great match for you:

1. Pay attention to pics
Maybe you're that rare bird who's genuinely indifferent to appearances and wants only a date with brains, a good heart and a great personality. But probably not. And you're not alone; both men and women are seven times more likely to contact someone whose profile includes a photo. Physical characteristics are a big factor in that elusive "chemistry" business, so in a crowded field, start with the prospects who look most like they could be your match.

2. Be a headhunter
It's tough to come up with a headline that's smart, funny, sweet, creative or in some other way original. Anyone whose headline catches your eye deserves a closer look.

3. Read between the lines
It's easy to get swept away by a romantic-sounding headline or a particularly sexy photo. Before you get too cyber-smitten, take a moment to see if this one is truly available. Was her last activity yesterday or two months ago? Did he list his marital status as "I'll tell you later?" The clues are all there … you've just got to look for them.

4. Check your compatibility
There's more to a good match than shared interests and hobbies. Do you like the way he expresses himself? Does she seem to share your values? Is the profile long and detailed enough to give you a sense of the person behind it? Do you see any warning signs in the writing, anything from consistently bad spelling and grammar to language that exposes certain prejudices or unpleasant attitudes that you'd prefer to avoid? Read carefully; it's your chance to "get acquainted" before you send or reply to that first email.

5. Make sure you're a match
Does the description of this person's ideal match sound like you? Do you get the impression, reading this section of the profile, that who you are (as opposed to, say, what you look like) is going to be important to your prospective date? If you're after a serious relationship, seek out someone who is looking for substance and not simply an attractive dating accessory. When you find the right one, you'll know it.

And remember: When you create a free profile, make sure it meets the standards you set when you do your own custom search. That way, when you do find someone whose profile is really enticing, you'll be in the best position to entice in return!


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