How to Find Success as a Guy in the World of Online Dating

Navigating the world of online dating can be tricky. On the one hand, it opens up an entire world of possible matches; on the other, it presents a host of issues not generally found offline.

First and foremost is the anonymity that the web grants. Just because someone claims to be a supermodel with a PhD who owns her own brewery doesn't necessarily make it so. The single most important thing to remember about online dating is that your safety is the top priority. NEVER give out personal information or agree to meet in person until you've been in contact for awhile and feel comfortable with the person. Listen to your gut instinct - if something is making you feel uneasy, then address it. You're looking for someone to date, which means someone you can trust. Bring up anything that's making you uncomfortable immediately, and if you don't get an acceptable response, move on. There are a lot of fish in this digital sea.

Of course protecting yourself is all well and good only if you can attract the attention of someone in the first place, right? Well a lot of the same rules apply to online dating as they do to offline dating. While it's true that what's underneath is what's most important, the fact of the matter is that your picture (much like how your present yourself offline) is often going to be what first draws someone to initiate (or respond to) contact. Put your best foot forward. Digital pictures are not difficult to come by these days. If all you've got is a poorly-lit shot of yourself staring vacantly into the camera after a particularly long day at work, get another picture. Oh, and if you don't have a picture at all - get one, plain and simple. According to most sites, profiles with pictures get somewhere around ten times as many views as those without. It helps the other person feel more comfortable knowing who they're talking to, and it helps show that you're a real person and not just a computer screen.

Putting your best foot forward doesn't mean misrepresenting yourself, however. If you're planning on going on a date with someone you meet online, that means they're eventually going to be seeing you as you are. Don't put up a picture of yourself from ten years ago when you were training for a marathon. Don't claim to be George Clooney's long-lost twin. Be yourself. You want this person to appreciate you for who you really are. Besides, beginning a relationship with a lie isn't much of a foundation for romance.

This isn't to say that what you write isn't important, though. Don't just copy and paste a standard greeting to each of the people you're interested in. If possible, try to find something about them that interests you and talk about that. Favorite author in common? Both movie hounds? Great - you have an instant ice-breaker. If not, tell her something about yourself that will catch her attention. The idea is to set you apart from the other guys out there and start a dialogue. Try asking a question - many women won't reply if they simply don't know what to say. Give her something to talk about.

Just like offline dating, that initial contact is the hardest part. Be honest and be interested and you'll be well on your way to a successful online dating experience!