Diving into the world of online dating isn’t for the faint of heart, and it’s also not usually something we broadcast. Most of the time, it’s a friend or relative that talks you into trying it, but you might be surprised at the opportunities that you can find online. If you’ve made up your mind to look for your match online, here are some tips to help you get started on the right foot.  Here are our tips for dating online!

Make Sure You Have a Profile Picture

Most people won’t deny that when it comes to finding a partner online, the profile pic is the first place we look. When you’re finding the perfect picture, try to keep it simple and personal. Authentic pictures are much better than heavily photo-shopped or airbrushed pictures, because they say more about who you really are. Moreover, it should be recent. As much as you might like that picture when you were ten years younger, it will give your dates a false impression about what to expect.

Write a Short Bio

Some people make the mistake of writing their bio as long as they can, but according to online dating experts you’ll get the best response from something short and simple. Use small paragraphs and provide a bullet list of your favorite characteristics in a mate. Focus on your positive attributes, and make sure the bio reflects you as a person, not what you want people to think of you.  Be careful not to give out too much personal information!

Choose Your Username

Chances are, your real name is already taken; there are more Rachaels and Julias in the world than just you. While some people decide to just put numbers after their name – Julia3985473 – go instead for something more creative and memorable. If your username has personality you’ll have better responses from potential mates. Remember though at the same time that that user name reflects on you, so Drunktoxicpsychochick is probably a no-go.

Keep Everything Honest

The best tactic you can use when talking to potential mates who message you is to just keep everything honest. If you’re divorced or have kids, don’t lie about it. One thing you SHOULD avoid is emphasizing how much you want to get married. If that’s one of your goals, fine, but don’t make it the subject of every conversation. More often than not it will scare your date away. Most online dating websites have a checklist for what you’re “looking for” out of your dates. If you are searching for a long term partner, go ahead and put a check in the marriage box, but leave it at that.

Update Your Profile Periodically

Finally, don’t forget to keep your profile updated when new things happen in your life. If your profile hasn’t been changed in months, it will begin appearing less and less in searches on the site. On the other hand, if you keep it fresh and new you’ll have a better chance of bringing in interested mates.

If you go on a trip, add some new pictures to the profile; if you just watched a great movie or read an interesting book, write something about it on your profile page. Finally, keep updating your headline on your profile page.

What Sites Should I Use?

Here are a list of some reputable Australian sites for you to try:

• www.eharmony.com.au
• www.rsvp.com.au

Do you have more tips for online dating?  Let us know!