Tips for Using Craigslist Dating for Love and Romance

Craigslist, in my opinion, is a terrific way to meet potential hubbies. In fact, whether you are seeking friends, a spouse, or a one-night fling, Craigslist has something to offer you. Craigslist has sections for casual dating (e.g. one night stands), romantic relationships, and even gay/bisexual encounters. In this article, our focus will be entirely on utilizing Craigslist as a tool for dating to find love and romance. We will discuss how to place an ad, how to find a suitable match, and certain precautions that must be taken.

How to Place an Ad

You will need to register an account with Craigslist before you can post an ad. Originally, anybody could place an ad. Due to excessive abuse by a few rotten apples, registration is now required. This entails choosing a login and password, verifying your email, and verifying your phone number. After you are finished registering, you can post an ad.

First, realize that you can choose to have your ad appear anonymous. In fact, never display your real email address in a Craigslist posting. If you do, don't be surprised to discover your inbox stuffed with ads for sexual impotence drugs. Furthermore, releasing your real email address puts you at risk for being harassed by psychopaths or stalkers.

Second, keep your ad concise and to the point. Don't ramble on and on about your wants, desires, and dreams. I used to cram my ads with every morsel of information about myself. It ended up only discouraging potential partners from contacting me because they assumed me to be selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed.

Third, never post explicit pictures, even in the casual encounters section. If you do, don't be surprised if it gets flagged in under 5 minutes. If you would like to trade explicit pictures, then make a mention of it near the end of your post. But, don't assume everybody in America wants to see your dingdong or hoo-hoo.

How to Find a Suitable Match

Similar to newspapers and many dating services, Craigslist allows you to browse personals based on certain criteria like age, gender, and sexuality. If you find an ad that you fancy, don't be afraid to shoot the poster a 'holla.'

First, for the purposes of Craigslist dating, I recommend establishing a secondary email account. Use this account just for Craigslist and nothing else. In case you run into an asshole or jerk, you don't want your primary email address being bombarded with spam.

Second, if you happen to be shallow, like myself, you can opt to only view ads that contain pictures. However, be aware that less than 5% of female advertisements contain a picture. On the other hand, if you are searching for a male, then you should have no problem finding postings with pictures.

Third, when you do reply to a post, don't ramble on about yourself or ask too many questions. Briefly describe yourself, ask a few questions, and maybe attach a picture. And, do not include your phone number or address! The key is to take it slow. Never rush it because that will just scare off your potential partner.

Precautions That Must Be Taken

In general, dating is an activity that requires care and precaution. However, this need for safety is amplified when looking for partners online. The reason for this is that the Internet allows people a great deal of anonymity. This therefore allows a nutcase or psychopath to intentionally misrepresent themself.

First, always arrange first encounters in a busy, public place. This will discourage a potential perpetrator from trying anything improper.

Second, tell a close friend or relative where you are going and who you are meeting. In case something does happen to you, it will be easier for the police to find you.

Third, bring along some protection like mace or a switchblade. It doesn't hurt to prepare for the worst.

Conclusion

Lastly, be patient. Craigslist dating isn't an overnight process. It could take weeks or months before you find a suitable match. At first, be prepared for a long series of back-and-forth replies. More often than not, Craigslist posters end up never even meeting. But, you never know when that guy or girl on the other side of the screen could be your potential hubby for life. Good luck, and God Speed!