Posted on Sunday, 25th July 2010 by Booker
There are approximately 90 million U.S. singles 18+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Dating in the 21st Century
Today, in the 21st century, if you are single and in need of a date you do not have to go very far from home to look for one. In fact, you do not have to leave home at all. Objective log on to the internet and search for a dating service. Then, get ready to decide between the hundreds of dating services available online. There is a dating service for just about every unique individual around, offering anyone looking for a date or companion, the opportunity to find someone special. These online dating services can range anywhere from age specific, sex specific, faith specific to special sites for vegetarian singles and even pet loving singles. If you wish, you can also link-up with someone locally or internationally.
63% of singles online are open to using online dating according to Match.com U.S. Brand Awareness and Perceptions Study, March 2005
Faster, Better and Easier
Dating in the 21st century is faster, better and easier. Equipped with convenient technology (such as the internet and cell phones) dating is no longer as intimidating as face-to-face blind dates can be. Privacy and anonymity have much to do with it. It is much easier to have a sincere conversation with an online stranger than it is to talk to a coworker or neighbor. So get to know your date first, anonymously and at your own pace. You choose when to go offline and take it beyond smiley face icons and computerized winks. Allow yourself to chat online, send an email, and let someone know you are interested with the simple click of a button. Search through hundreds of profiles and photos of singles you are keen in or that have let you know are interested in you. You never know, you may find “the one” you have been looking for. Objective remember, dating online does not guarantee you a date or a long-term relationship, but it does broaden your possibilities to find one.
Yahoo! Personals and Match.com earned the industry’s highest customer experience rankings, according to Keynote research.
Dating Service Features
Online dating service features range from: text messaging, video personals, keyword searching, blogs, email messaging, webcams to live video and audio chat rooms. You can also register and submit your profile, a few pictures, search for matches, browse photos or enter a private chat room with someone.
On Video Dating
Video Dating is a dating service offering video recordings of potential dates to its clients (you) and it is also the practice of dating by using such a service. Depending on how you feel in front of a camera determines whether this is a feature that you should take advantage of or not. For example, a good reason to use this video dating service feature is that it allows you to post your profile while saying something directly to whomever is looking at your video. This feature also allows you to survey what someone looks like before you meet him or her.
An example of why you would not want to exercise this feature: people are not always photogenic and may be fearful or uncomfortable in front of the camera. If you want to make a good first impression and the peruse of a camera makes you twitch than this is not for you. To make that good impression, use chat room and your online profile instead.
If you choose to try video dating, here are some rapid tips to help you make a great video: Relax and be true. Pretend you are in front of a mirror. If it helps practice in front of a mirror before you open recording. Think about what you want to say about you and about the type of person you are looking for. Do not try to reveal off. This is easy to spot. Also, dress to trace, but end comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable in what you are wearing then it probably is not a good thing to wear. It is easy to dispute when someone looks sorrowful in his or her clothes. Lighting is important too. Too bright of a light can cast strange shadows and invent you look pale. In addition, too shadowy of a light can cloak your face. Keep the light soft and friendly.
Going Mobile
Dating by cell phone is here. It is a growing trend and makes dating even easier. How? The concept is the same as online dating. You can still view profiles and send potential matches a message, but now, you can take all your online dating to your cell phone- mobile dating. You can be anywhere on your cell phone searching for a date. In addition, instead of sending a potential match an e-mail you can send them a text message via cell phone. So, if you are stuck in traffic, at the doctor’s office, in a scary elevator or impartial waiting for your friend to come out of class, pull out your cell phone and look for a date. Maybe someone has already sent you a message.
45% of customers expressed a desire to have access to background checks on other members (Keynote).
Security, Advice, Tips, Compatibility Test
Some dating services provide security features. For example, instead of using your own personal e-mail some dating websites will provide you with your own unique e-mail legend so that your personal e-mail can stay private and find. This also keeps your personal e-mail from spam or, in the event that you are popular, e-mail overload. Factual offers a different kind of security. Everyone that registers receives a criminal background check and screened for marital status. “Married people will be prosecuted. Because we care, we screen members against U.S. public records to check marital status” (True.com). As bonus, Fair offers a compatibility test to help match you with the right person. OkCupid offers compatibility along with dating advice and tips such as: how to tell if he or she likes you. You can procure even more advice at Date’s webzine, Date Info. Here you will net articles about dating, dating success stories, dating advice from experts, featured members and more.
12% of engaged or recently married couples have met online, and more meet on Match.com than any other spot according to the WeddingChannel.com survey in February 2005
Relationship Exchange Network
Relationship Exchange is a network of dating sites that share a database with millions of singles. By joining a website that is a Relationship Exchange Partner you find more choices, more singles to choose from or be matched with and a better chance of finding your match. “The Relationship Exchange was founded on solid principles of business ethics, integrity and quality of service. All Relationship Exchange partner sites share these values and make their agreements and policies readily available” (relationshipexchange.com). Two examples of sites powered by the Relationship Exchange Network are Dating and Cupid Junction.
FriendFinder Network
The FriendFinder Network is the “leading global online relationship network, allowing over 20 million registered members to meet people with similar interests and mindsets in a fun environment.” Founded in 1996 by Andrew Conru and privately owned, today FriendFinder Network’s 15 web communities and offers more members the opportunity to meet friends and partners. Member benefits also include daily horoscopes, photo ratings, and free e-greeting cards available along with the interactive FriendFinder Magazine written by and for the members. The Magazine includes member-submitted articles and poetry, as well as a examine and answer advice forum.
”Couples who meet online can potentially have a higher success rate or longevity than “offline” couples”, according to author and sociologist Andrea Baker (Match).
Date Specific Websites
Does religion, sex, age or ethnicity matter to you? Are you a young adult, widowed, divorced or elderly? Are you serious and ready for marriage or just want someone to date? Do you want to meet someone in your local area or somewhere across the world? Whatever your preferences are there are many date specific websites just for you. Below are a few quick examples of some of these sites and for your wait on, Chapter 3 will also provide you with detailed reviews of a variety of these services.
Quick Notice
Latin Singles Connection is an online dating service committed to helping Latin men and women meet their match. Interracial Singles Connection is an online service where being different is always wonderful. Where Christians Meet is a for people interested in meeting and dating quality Christian singles. Jewish Café allows you to meet other Jewish singles in a comfortable, virtual café environment. Thirty Plus Singles is made for former singles over 30. Options give members the opportunity to meet singles in the gay and lesbian community. 18-60’s has quality dating for all ages. EHarmony is geared towards serious, mature-minded singles looking for more than just a date.
Chapter 2: Online Dating: A Serious Business
eDating
“A Derive dating service, also known as online dating, is an example of a dating system and allows individuals, couples and groups to meet online and possibly develop a social, romantic or sexual relationship. Net dating services provide un-moderated matchmaking through the use of personal computers and the Internet” (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Online_dating_service).
The online relationship industry is expected to approach revenues of $526 million for 2005 according to Jupiter research. Jupiter also predicts online dating will top $640 million in 2008.
Online Dating is a Serious Business
With the stigma of “only for the desperate and lonely” quickly vanishing, more and more people from all lifestyles are taking to the idea that online dating is a great way to meet someone. According to Comscore Networks US Market Spending Report on Online Paid Content, Personals/Dating held its position as the leading paid content category in 2004, with U.S. consumer spending at $469.5 million, up 4.4% over 2003. In other words, singles are spending hundreds of dollars or more a year on online dating services to broaden their chances to meet someone special.
Couples who meet online can potentially have a higher success rate or longevity than “offline” couples, according to author and sociologist Andrea Baker.
Legitimate Business
Don’t mix up legitimate online dating services with porn sites and scams. Don’t expect to find your soul mate either. Don’t assume that security features and compatibility test will earn rid of all the liars and cheaters. These features aid, but they are not perfect. Unfortunately, liars and cheaters exist online just as they do offline. Like with any dating, online or offline, there are positive and negative aspects to it. The perfect person in attributes and features may be your online match, but that may not mean the two of you have any chemistry offline. It is important for you to know what you want, to listen to your gut and decide for yourself is this the type of person you want to date or have a relationship with.
According to Keynote studies 70% of prospective customers note up for online dating services primarily to meet a wider array of people 19% of prospective customers said they were considering online dating because they were not happy with stale dating options.
All about Choices
Online dating is all about choices, choices to meet likeminded people, people you would have never met before without online dating. Bar scenes and clubs, although great fun, can become all too familiar. You begin to see the same people or the same type of people repeatedly. Maybe your group of friends and their friends’ friends still do not have the kind of someone you have been looking for and you want more. As a result, offline dating can seem at times limited and not provide what you are looking for in a person. Online dating allows you to network outside of your usual, to meet people that are interested in your interests.
An Upwards of 30% of online dating service customers are married or living with a significant other/partner. This 30% percent also happens to have the “highest satisfaction levels with online dating sites” according to a recent Keynote research study.
Edating for the Married!?
There is no secret, committed/married individuals are turning to dating services too, to pick up someone. What ever their reasons may be, they turn to these sites in search for another companion. To take advantage of this market co-founder G.R. Berg of Matchpoint LLC created Marriedsecrets.com for this very reason. As controversial as this region has been, it has had much success and is the only site specifically designed to discreetly connect married people with other individuals of the same interest.
“There are 14.9 million unmarried and single Americans aged 65 and older. People aged 50 and older represent the fastest-growing segment of the Match.com community. According to Nielsen//NetRatings, more than 1.6 million men and women aged 65-plus, visited online personals sites in April 2000” (http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20050915/DATH03215092005-1.html).
Edating isn’t Just for the Young
Older people are increasingly turning to the internet to meet people too. They are overcoming technophobia and taking to the internet to find a companion. Online dating provides them with options to meet people they would not have met otherwise. To tap into this market there are a growing number of sites that specialize specifically in seniors meeting seniors.
Consumer spending on Personals/Dating, at an all-time high, resumed its growth in the last half of 2004 after posting notable declines in the first half of the year, according to Comscore Networks US Market Spending Report on Online Paid Content
On the Down Side / Then Back Up
With the increase of dating services available online, ample companies like Match.com and Good.com had to lay off employees in 2004 and refocus its process on on-line dating (http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2004/09/13/daily3.html).
Customer satisfaction with online dating services is also low. According to Keynote research 61% of customers are concerned that other members are misrepresenting themselves and as many as one in three (33%) express a lack of trust in other members. Online dating services are now finding ways to satisfy the customers by adding background checks, improving their compatibility test, lowering prices, adding incentives such as hosting face to face (F2F) events and even unsubscribing inactive members so that new members are not matched up with members that have not been online in a while.
Examples of Face to Face events: dancing parties, speed dating, wine tasting, Valentine Day parties, single cruises and more.
Choosing the Right Service
With so many choices, how do you choose the fair service for you? This can be difficult. There are hundreds of services and within each service there are thousands of member profiles to peak at; this can become overwhelming and confusing… Where do you start?
It all starts with you
Determine what you want. Do you want a serious relationship? A one-time date? How much are you willing to spend? Fees can drastically very from station to site. Some websites may charge you a flat rate fee. In other words, they will charge you a monthly, quarterly or yearly fee for unlimited access to their spot and features. If you use a dating service a lot than this is the best design to go. Other websites charge you a per message fee which can come in handy if you do not use the website for a while or you are very meticulous about who you message.
Testing Testing
Take advantage of the free online dating services searches. Many online dating services allow you to search for free before you sign up. Also, take advantage of the trial periods. This is a great opportunity to find out if you like the website or not. Free trials periods allow you to test these services. If you like it you can stay, if you do not- do not have to waist your time. Take your time to look at the profiles and the dating service website. Are the people on these sites the type of people you are looking for? Are they in your age preference? Is the site specific enough for your interests such as in faith or life styles? Does this particular online dating service provide all features you are looking for? Do you score their member benefits useful?
Family, Friends and Neighbors
Sometimes the best sources come from friends, family or neighbors. Do you know someone who has used an online dating service? If so, what dating services do they prefer? Listen to their experiences and tips. Was the use of this particular site successful for them? You may also search online for dating site reviews. I have provided quick detailed reviews below in Chapter 3 for your encourage. Features, prices, facts and reviews will make it make it mighty easier on your search.
Free or Fee
Advantage and disadvantages apply to all online dating services, but the advantages and disadvantage for the free sites versus the subscription sites can really make a difference in your decision to impress up at a particular site. Below are a few advantages and disadvantages.
Free
Advantage: free dating services have many of the same features subscription services have and tend to have more users.
Disadvantage: Anyone can join- the serious, the not so serious, and the bored. There is no true commitment from a member to keep coming back and so ads placed can be customary. Also because anyone can join, privacy or lack there of, can be a jam. Anyone can see your profile. Depending on your person, this could be another advantage.
Subscribe
Advantages: Only people who are serious about finding someone special will pay these sometimes very expensive prices. Subscription sites also tend to have more advanced features, such as, mobile dating service and video dating.
Disadvantage: High Prices: you can browse profiles of others free, but only paying members can communicate with each other.
Chapter 3: Features, Prices, Facts and Reviews*
18-60’s
www.18-60s.com
Subscription Costs
100% free
Target Audience: Singles from the ages of 18 to 60’s
Features
18-60’s has an easy registration. Features include: unlimited access to the site, 6 photo dating profile, password protect 5 of your photos, contact any member, send virtual kisses, reply to any messages sent to, view video messages, two way dating match notifications by email (optional), dating hot list, ability to peek who has viewed your profile and who has added you to their favorites. You also get a free personal mailbox, instant messenger and great privacy options.
About
There are only 3 members running 18-60’s: Charlie and Liz who take care of the members and Gary who is the boss and webmaster. Sponsors and donations help support the place.
American Singles
www.americansingles.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $29.99
3 Months $59.97
5 Months $74.95
Target Audience: Singles Locally or Internationally
Features
Features include: the ability to see how many people are online, photo instant messaging, who is interested in you, posting photos. Search by age, location, photo, gender or username. You may chat with other members in real time, receive email alerts, instant message someone and chat in any language. You may also “tease” someone. A tease is a fun quick way to let people know you are keen. If these features aren’t enough they have a 24/7 customer care staff you can call to help you.
About
American Singles is a registered trademark of Spark Networks plc. This service is residence specific and the main focus or areas are the US and Canada
Asian Singles Connection
www.asiansinglesconnection.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $19.99
3 Months $39.99
Annual $59.95
Target Audience: Asian Community
Features
Features include: the ability to see who is online and who is eager in you, chat with other members in the chat rooms, see when your friends are online, email alerts, anonymous private mailboxes, message boards. Matching is based on profile and you may also search for someone with the advanced search or quick search feature.
About
Asian Singles Connection is a trademark of MingleMatch™, Inc.
“Whether you are Filipino, Korean, Chinese or another Asian ethnicity Asian Singles Connection is the position to find someone special “ (Asian Singles Connection).
Cupid Junction
www.cupidjunction.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $24.95
3 Months $49.95
Target Audience: Singles Young and Frail
Features
Has an easy registration. Features include bookmarking profiles, instant messenger, confidential email, email alerts, chat and an advice corner. You also have the ability to see how many people are online, who is enthusiastic in you. You may send ‘interest’ and contemplate who has been viewing your profile. You may also find a date by type of relationship your are interested in: Dating, Romance, or Intimate.. Search with the quick search or detailed search. Search by gender, age or region. “Every member’s profile and photo is verified through a two-step computer and human screening process to ensure legitimacy and seriousness” (Cupid Junction).
About
Cupid Junction is a member of the relationship exchange and claims to have millions of members.
Date
www.date.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $24.95
3 Months $49.95
6 Months $74.95
12 Months $99.95.
Target Audience: Singles Young and Old
Features
This is a general interest dating site without the extensive personality profiling and matching services. Features include: creating your profile free, including several pictures, audio and video messaging, the ability to search by keyword or predefined criteria such as searching by age range, distance from you, the sort of relationship someone is looking for, and member status. You also have the ability to see how many people have viewed your profile, as well as how many are online. Every time you view a profile it tells you how recently the person has logged in. Date.com also offers expert advice, do’s and don’ts tips, chat, IM, community support, personality profiles and an interactive Webzine., where you may sign up for a free newsletter. Available soon: Date Mobile, an added feature in which you may use all the above features via your cell phone. Keep in mind that in order to communicate with any of the Date.com members you will need to subscribe to the service (pay membership fees).
About
Date.com was launched on Valentine’s Day, 1997 and is gracious as well as private. It is the largest privately-held site with a current membership rotten of 2 million.
Harmony
www.eharmony.com
Subscription Costs
1 Month $59.95
3 Months $101.85
6 Months $173.70
12 Months $251.40
Target Audience: Long term relationship minded heterosexual singles
Features
Signup requires filling out a free lengthy questionnaire with 29 dimensions of compatibility (436 questions). This patented Compatibility Matching System is based on clinically and scientifically proven attributes that leads to successful, satisfying relationships. Once you complete the questionnaire you are provided with matches, but in order to contact any of your matches you must subscribe. “Where other sites match on a record and a paragraph, Harmony matches you based on compatibility in the most important areas of life – like values, character, intellect, sense of humor, spiritual beliefs, passion, and up to 24 other dimensions” (Harmony)
About
Harmony is a private company headquartered in Pasadena, California Launched in August 2000 psychologist and author, Dr. Neil Clark Warren founder of Harmony and developer of the Scientific Relationship Questionnaire, Harmony claims to have “more marriages per match than any Online Dating Personals Service”. About 20 percent (1 in 5) of those whom complete the 436 questionnaire will not benefit from Harmony’s matching system because an accurate match could not be predicted based on the answers given. Harmony would rather provide “no matches than bad matches”.
Elite Mate
www.elitemate.com
Subscription costs
7 days $1.99
14 days $3.99
30 days $7.99
3 Month $14.99
6 Month $29.99
1 Year $39.99
For A Life Time $44.99
Target Audience: Young, Old, Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Local or International
Features
Features include: live chats, your bear private mailbox, video messages, ability to perceive how many people are online, peek who is interested in you, email alerts. Matching is based on profile. There are also numerous offline events, such as singles cruises, ski trips, holiday packages etc.
About
“EliteMate.com has been diligently put together by three visionaries, each with the goal to reinvent the common practice of creating relationships. EliteMate.com is an extraordinary picture personal website whose objective is to provide people with a user-friendly environment for top quality, fun, and efficient online matchmaking” (eliteMate.com).
Guanxi
www.guanxi.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $29.95
3 Months $59.95
Annual $149.95
Target Audience: Asian Community keen in networking
Features
This is a different kind of site along with features such as, video messaging, your hold inbox, newsletter and chat, GuanXi allows you to get employees/contractors, business partner’s new jobs, entrepreneurship needs. There is business networking and friend networking. You may also see how many people are online and matching is based on profiles.
About
“GuanXi.com does not have adult contents or political/religious discussions. We also do not have any public bulletin boards or un-moderated chat rooms” “GuanXi.com exists to help people form relationships for business and for life. We bring companies together with talented employees, subcontractors and service industries to create a community of people interested in working together to improve business and develop friendships that endure the test of time” (GuanXi.com)
HurryDate
www.hurrydate.com
Subscription costs
Monthly$19.95
3 Months $39.95
6 Months $59.95
Plus 25% off Hurrydate Events
Target Audience: Singles Young, Old, Gay, Lesbian or Straight
Features
Features include: ability to see how many people are online, see who is keen in you, chat with other members, confidential email, email alerts. Matching based on profile? HurryDate also has offline events such as, speed dating events. You get 25% discount if you sign up for online dating
About
HurryDate is a hurry dating and online dating company. Started in the Mammoth Apple by Ken Deckinger and Adele Testani. They claim over 2 million members worldwide.
Interracial Singles Connection
www.interracialsingles.acquire
Subscription Costs
1 month $19.99
3 months $39.99
6 months $59.99
Target Audience: Singles looking for love not skin color
Features
Features include: ability to see how many people are online, peruse who is interested in you and chat with members, confidential emails, email alerts, online profiles and photographs of single men and women, anonymous messaging, interracial message boards and chats. Chat rooms and an instant messenger are available to enable others to communicate in real time, an online private mailbox to enable others to exchange personal messages, an online public forum to enable others to exchange messages and information, an online display of frequently asked questions, and answers to frequently asked questions. Only subscribing to the service will allow you to communicate- reply to messages and smiles, use the live chat service and instant messenger, send and receive mail in your private mailbox and post on the message boards.
About
Interracial Singles Connection is a diverse, community of single adults from various ethnic backgrounds who share common relationship goals Interracial Singles is a trademark of MingleMatch™, Inc.
Spark Networks acquired MingleMatch earlier this year.
Italian Friend finder
www.italianfriendfinder.com
Subscription costs
Monthly $19.99
3 Months $24.99
Annual $69.99
Target Audience: Ethnic / race locally or internationally
Features
Features include: ability to eye how many people are online, who is interested in you, video messages, newsletter, chat with members. You may also purchase or earn points which allow you to use premium services. Matching based on profile.
About
Italian FriendFinder is a registered trademark of FriendFinder, Inc. Claims to have over 36,000 members.
Jewish Café
www.jewishcafe.com
Subscription Costs
2 week free trial;
1 mo./$32.95
3 mos./$49.95
6 mos./$79.95
12 mos./$99.95.
Target Audience: Religious Dating for Singles Young and Old
Features
This site is geared towards Jewish single adults looking for friendship, romance and marriage in a comfortable environment. Features include: ability to leer who Is online, chat with members, confidential email. You can perform a hastily search profile without signing up or can create a profile with a free 14 day trial with full access. There are of course the chat rooms, photos and the detailed search features, such as: searching by geographical region, smoking habits, level of education or eye color. You are provided with your own private e-mail so that you may send or receive messages. You can also find good tips, how-to articles, relationship advice columns and a genuine relationship counselor who will answer your questions online.
About
JewishCafe.com is a registered trademark of RealCafes.com Inc.
Large Friends
www.largefriends.com
Subscription costs
1 Month $19.95
3 Months $44.95
6 Months $71.95
Annual $119.95
Target Audience: Singles Young and old
Features
Features include: ability to behold how many people are online, see who is interested in you, chat with other members, browse the list of newly registered users, dating advice and safety tips, faster customer service, remove unwanted profiles, check daily news, unlimited anonymous emailing, unlimited instant messenger, and email alerts. They even have my current feature a customer suggestion box – a mark of good customer service.
About
Large Friends is a status for meeting plus-size singles, admirers and friends
Lava Life
www.lavalife.com
Subscription costs
50 Credits $14.99
100 Credits $24.99
200 Credits $ 39.99
Target Audience: Singles Young, Old, Gay, Lesbian or Straight
Features
Features include: shows how many people are online, chat with other members, confidential Email, video messages. They also have neat little features such as, mail messaging 6 credits = 1 mail message. Further mail messages to that member are free!
About
The company launched the Lavalife phone system in 1987, In 1996 Lavalife acquired Webpersonals, and in 1997 the company launched what has now become Lavalife.com. Lavalife Mobile launched in 2004 and is available throughout the United States and Canada, and now markets its telephone services in over 60 markets across the United States, Canada and Australia. Lavalife uses interactive voice response (IVR) telephone technology enabling singles to meet other singles with similar goals.
Match
www.match.com
Subscription Costs
1 Month $29.99
3 Months $50.97
6 Months $77.94
Target Audience: Singles Young and Old
Features
Quick and easy registration. Features include: free profile, post up to 25 photos to your profile, view video profiles, instant message or e-mail someone from your personal email inbox. There is also video email, keyword searches, two-way matching and an online magazine with dating tips and advice. Cell phone communications are also available.Match.com Mobile the company’s wireless dating service, is available through Cingular/AT&T Wireless, Nextel and Sprint. People can search, flirt and connect with other eligible singles – all through their mobile phones. As a bonus, those who are keen, may subscribe to MindFindBind with Dr. Phil for just a few more dollars.
About
Match.com launched in 1995. Match.com has more than 15 million
members in 240 countries and local country sites in 18 different
languages.
OkCupid
www.okcupid.com
Subscription Costs
100% Free
Target Audience: Singles in Early 20’s
Features
OkCupid has two major services: People Meeting and Test Taking. The more questions you reply, the more accurate your matches will be. OkCupid claims “better matches through: questions that also include your ideal match’s answers and how much they actually matter you, and worthy personality analysis”. They also offer features such as: smart automated processes (picture cropping, flagging, etc). Users are even allowed to contribute to the match questions.
About
The OkCupid co-founders are: Chris Coyne (Co-founder, President, & Creative Director) Sam Yagan (Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer) Christian Rudder (Co-founder, Editorial Director) Max Krohn (Co-founder, Director). You may have seen these names before at TheSpark.com. They are also the TheSpark.com co-founders.
Silver Singles
www.silversingles.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $29.99
3 Months $59.97
5 Months $74.95
Target Audience: Silver Singles
Features
Features include: the ability to gape how many people are online, photo instant messaging, who is keen in you, posting photos. Search by age, location, photo, gender or username. You may chat with other members in genuine time, receive email alerts, instant message someone and chat in any language. You may also “tease” someone. A tease is a fun quickly way to let people know you are interested. If these features aren’t enough they have a 24/7 customer care staff you can call to help you.
About
Silver Singles is powered by American Singles.
True.com
www.true.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $49.99
3 Months $79.95
6 Months $129.99
Target Audience: Singles Young and Old
Features
Features include: shows how many people are online, shows who is interested in you, comprehensive personality profile, private e-mail and chat rooms, confidential email, video messages, webcam chat, and True magazine. True.com offers a 99 distinct factors compatibility test Endorsed by Psychology Today. True.com also offers a criminal background screening of all communicating members “against one of the largest criminal records databases on the Internet” because they believe in safety first.
About
TRUE.com is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Right.com’s founder and CEO is Herb Vest. Launched in 2003, True.com was originally truebeginings.com.
VeggieConnection
www.veggieconnection.com
Subscription Costs
Monthly $8.99
3 Months $16.99
6 Months $26.99
Target Audience: Vegetarians Singles
Features
Features include: criteria search, broad search, advanced search, enter your profile to pronounce your availability, include up to 12 photos in your profile, view detailed profiles, send greetings with the “greet me” button, send “please post your photo” messages, receive and read e-mails from other members.
About
VeggieConnection.com was founded by Ken, a vegetarian of over 24 years. It is a place for veggies to meet.
Webdate
www.webdate.com
Subscription Costs
100% free
Target Audience: Singles Young and Old
Features
Registration is fast and easy. Features include: who is online now, who is on video chat, who are the modern faces and people who have viewed you. You are also provided with features such as free email messaging, live video and advanced search feature –zip code search and personal photos and videos. Webdate provides you with your own unique e-mail account so that your personal e-mail can stay private and secure. This also keeps your personal e-mail from spam or e-mail overload, in case you are popular and go to webdatemobile.com and register your phone for mobile dating.
About
Webdate.com is a fairly new dating service and already has over 2.5 million members. Abe Smilowitz, is Webdate’s CEO and Founder.
*Prices and benefits are subject to change
Chapter 4 : Dating Advice and Swiftly Tips
Safety and Happy Online Dating
1. If you wouldn’t give a stranger on the street your name, address and phone-number, you shouldn’t do it online. Don’t allow someone to pressure you into this information either. If you do feel pressured, just stop all communications with this person.
2. Trust your instincts and expend common sense. If you do not want to meet someone in person; if you have the slightest doubt that it would not be safe- do not meet face to face at all or make it a double date. Meet someone offline only when you are ready. Remember you are in control of your online experience at all times. You can remain anonymous until you feel ready. That is what is so great about online dating.
3. If and when you decide to meet in person, meet in a public place. Drive your own car, there and back, and tell someone you trust (friend, family, neighbor or coworker) where you are or plan to go.
Good First Impressions
1. First and foremost do not show up late. This can be perceived as a designate of disrespect. Have plan A and plan B to get to your date on time. If you are meeting somewhere you have never been before, haven’t the slightest idea how to get there, search for directions online. If you have time practice the route the day before. If you happen to pick up yourself running late, call your date and let your date know as soon as possible.
2. Talking about your ex is not a good topic. This shows signs of the inability to let go and move on. Either let go and move on or just go home.
3. Who pays? This is a difficult one. In today’s society, it can be very difficult to figure out what is politically proper when it comes to the payment of the check. The political rule of thumb today is- if you are the one who invited, it is usually polite to be the one to pay the check. When in doubt it is simple enough to ask at the end of the meal “would you mind if I took this check? ”
4. Compliment, compliment, compliment! If you are a human -man or a woman- you love compliments. It is always nice to hear something good about yourself- your sweet scent, your bright smile. However, DO NOT over do it. Be sincere. Your date can usually instruct when a compliment is fake.
5. Listen to your date. Do not spend the entire night shooting off your mouth. It is a good idea to take turns speaking of each other’s interests and hobbies
6. Do NOT respond your cell phone at dinner. Speaking to someone else on the cell phone while you are on your date is rude. Unless you are a doctor or someone of an emergency status, there is no need to have your phone on ring. If you have kids leave it on vibrate incase of an emergency.
7. Money is NOT everything. Unless you are looking for a material girl or boy don’t be a money flasher. This can be very annoying and fake.
8. Leave the talk of politics and religion for a later date. On the first date it may seem like you are coming on too strong (even if you are not). If religion or politics are indispensable to you and your date, great, but first bring up the lighter topics. Bring up music, books or movies you have enjoyed instead and allow yourself to get to know your date.
9. It is important to dress to imprint, but comfort also matters. Only wear what you are comfortable wearing. If you cannot walk in high heels do not wear them. If you are going to pull on your tie all night, leave it a home. Think of it this way- if you are dressed in attire that does not feel comfortable, your body language will shout out “uncomfortable” and your date may not realize its your clothes that you are uncomfortable with. So dress nicely without sacrificing comfort. Ask friends, family, co-workers for advice.
10. Relax. Breathe. Relax.
A Spacious Profile
Keep you profile light, sweet and unprejudiced.
1. A sense of humor is always nice, use it, but don’t force it; let it come out naturally.
2. Mention hobbies and interests. If you do volunteer work, love to paint, cook, play an instrument, or participate in anything that someone else can connect with, it’s indispensable to list those qualities.
You want to catch someone’s attention not bog them down with details. They can get the details later.
1. Never include your private information such as your address and phone number (security purposes).
2. Spell check and mind your grammar. Think about this. You are searching for your potential someone online and your only form of communication is through email, online chats and your profile. Poor grammar and bad spelling are not righteous first impressions. [Some sites have spell check. If your online dating services does not, all you have to do is type your share of the profile on Word, check it, edit it and then copy and paste it into the little box provided].
3. Make sure to add a nice current photo. Consider about it, if you skip by the photos of the not so photogenic people, what do you assume singles will do when they see your bad photo?
4. Avoid writing anything negative like “I disapprove players” or “Tired of Games”, unless you want to be unapproachable and intimidating These comments can seem desperate, and unattractive.
5. Make sure you fill out the profile as much as you possible can. Your profile is what helps determine your matches. Know what you want. Many of these dating services reach with detailed profiles. Ask yourself: Is age a problem? Am I looking for a serious relationship or just a date? Does the color of her hair matter? Do I want my date to be someone that enjoys sports? Art? Knowing the answers to the question will help you speed your plot through the profile and into your search for the perfect date.
From Online dating to F2F Dates Tips
The amount of time it takes between that first e-mail and a first in-person date varies from person to person. You can date someone right away or you can take as much time as you need and want to really get to know someone well before your face to face encounter. What ever you settle make sure to keep safety in mind.
Talk on the phone
Hearing someone’s voice is always different from chatting online. The sound of their voice and the things that they say can reveal distinguished about a person’s communication and social skills and can really make a difference of compatibility. Only give your phone number to someone you are really eager or serious about dating. Otherwise your phone will ring off the hook.
Pick a spot
Choose a neutral public site to meet and near their (on time) independently. In other words don’t let your date pick you up or vise versa.
Plan an easy short first date.
You don’t want a long date, just incase there is no compatibility. If there is compatibility, you can always have another one.
Be yourself
Don’t try to show off. If you are a comedian, don’t spend the entire night trying to make your date laugh. Humor should come naturally. If you have money don’t flash it around. If you want someone to like you for who you are and not what your money can do than it doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive or shoes you have on. Don’t make up stories about your life. Honesty is the key.
Where to go on a date: Pubs and clubs are great, but you want to know the person your dating outside of a drinking and parting. If the two of you have any interest in art visit museums and art galleries. If you enjoy fitness go rock climbing or roller skating. If you like food go to a cooking show. There are numerous place to go on a date. Be creative and remember to have fun.
If at First you don’t succeed
Not all your dates will be perfect even if your profiles matched up perfectly or your compatibility test says you are. You will have a awful date, maybe several. Online dating services, like any other type of dating does not come with guarantees and you cannot force adore over a cup of coffee. Take your time. Be patient. If Mr. or Mrs. Right is out there, it may take a lot of trial and error to find him/her. You need to decide if that trial and error is worth it. Enjoy the dates you have, even if it isn’t the “one”.
Lasting Long-term Relationships
No matter how good your relationship may be there are always obstacles to overcome, but you can overcome them. Time seems to be the major obstacle these days. With work and school (perhaps kids) it can be difficult to squeeze in time for your relationship. So how do you fill a relationship?
Originate Time
1. Set aside one night a week (no kids, no pets, no work or school) for you and your special someone. Go out to the movies, go dancing, have a nice romantic dinner at home, take a class together, or just become couch potatoes and watch your favorite TV show. Don’t feel obligated to do a millions thing in your short time together. Remember it’s not what you do, it’s how you feel when you do it together. So if couch potatoes night sounds like a nice relaxing cozy “in your man’s arms” day, then go for it.
2. Meet for lunch. If you are one of the lucky few who has and hour for lunch, use this time to delight in a good meal and a ‘how was your day” conversation.
Technology is great
1. In 2006 to IM someone is almost as gigantic as using the phone. In fact you can IM someone using your phone. Text message your sweetie a fleet “I luv U” or maybe an “I want U” with a smiley face to follow.
The old fashion way.
1. Some people smooth enjoy an old fashion letter. Something about a hand written letter seems more personal; perhaps because there is more time and love involved in creating one.
Refresh your relationship
1.Do fun, pleasurable things together. Relationships, no matter how spacious you are as a couple, can become mundane. Do something about it. There are so many things you can do. What have the two of you always said it would be nice to do together do it. If you don’t know, take a class together. Learn something new and you may like it and spend it together later on or at least you will have something new to talk about it.
Chapter 5: Decoding Cyber-Talk
If you are new to the internet and chat rooms, cyber talk can be a little confusing. These popular acronyms and definitions below will help you get a head launch.
AFK Away From the Keyboard
AKA Also Known As
ASAP As Soon As Possible
BBL Be Back Later
BF Boy Friend
BFN Bye For Now
BRB Be Accurate Back
BTW By The Way
CU See you
CUL, CUL8R See you Later
DIY Do It Yourself
EG Evil Grin
EOD End of Discussion
F2F Face to Face
FAQ Frequently Asked Question
FOCL Falling Off Chair Laughing
G Grin
G2G Got to Go
GA Go Ahead
GAL Get A Life
GF Girl Friend
GL Good Luck
HB Hug Serve
HH Holding Hands
HHOK Ha Ha Only Kidding
IDGI I Don’t Get It
IDK I Don’t Know
IMO In My Opinion
IOW In Other Words
IRL In Real Life
JK Just Kidding
K Kiss
KB Kiss Back
KOTC Kiss On The Cheek
L Laugh
L8R Later
LMBO Laughing My Butt Off
LOL Laughing Out Loud
MorF? Male or Female?
NC No Comment
NM Not Much
NP No Problem
OBTW Oh, By The Way
OIC Oh, I scrutinize
OT Off Topic
POTC Peck On The Cheek
ROFL Rolling On the Floor Laughing
RSN Real Soon Now
S Smile
SB Smile Back
SOS Same Old Stuff
SYL See You Later
THX Thanks
TIA Thanks In Reach
TTYL Talk To You Later
VEG Very Evil Grin
VES Very Heinous Smile
VWG Very Wicked Grin
VWS Very Detestable Smile
WG Wicked Grin
WTG Way To Go
WU? What’s Up?
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