The Best Ways to Approach Online Dating as a Woman: A Guest Post by Ellie Stevens

Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, Ellie Stevens!

Ellie Stevens is a guest post author who enjoys writing about dating and relationships.  Ellie also owns senior dating sites where she focuses on educating seniors about safe and effective methods of online dating. 

The Best Ways to Approach Online Dating as a Woman

These days, it’s becoming more and more rare to hear of romances that began when fate crossed the paths of two single strangers in the organic produce aisle of the grocery store.  Instead, we are hearing more love stories that began when two people clicked their way to one another due to an eye-catching picture and similar interests outlined in a very detailed online-dating profile. 

So if you are a single woman who is fed up with conventional methods of dating and the genius marketers behind Match.com have done an effective job in convincing you to give online dating a try, before you do, be sure to check out the best ways to approach it in order to achieve a success experience…and hopefully find a great guy:

#1:  Be safe.  Online dating is a great way to meet the Prince Charming you’ve been dreaming of your whole life—but because of the anonymity that comes along with using the internet, online dating is also an unfortunate method of coming face to face with some real monsters.  For that reason, it is imperative to make safety your number one priority by practicing the safety tips below:

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•            Don’t share personal information too soon.  Keep things like your last name, phone number, email address, home address, place of business, financial details, etc. to yourself until you really get to know and trust the guy.
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•          Be aware of the signs of predators and con artists. 
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•           Plan first meetings with safety in mind.  Always let a friend know where you are going, use your own form of transportation, meet at a public place, keep an eye on your possessions, and skip alcoholic beverages. 
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•          Trust your intuition.  If your gut is telling you that a guy you thought could be Mr. Right has some seriously wrong intentions, listen to that feeling and end the communication/ date immediately. 

#2:  Keep a positive attitude.  No one wants to hear about your loser of an ex-boyfriend who cheated on you and left you with loads of baggage at the train station in Broken-Heartsville.  Keep all the depressing stuff to yourself in the beginning.  One of the most attractive things about a person is a happy, positive attitude—so be sure to reflect that through your dating profile and online interactions.  Keep the subjects light and show off the fun, charming side of you that cyber-men won’t help but be drawn to like moths to a flame.

#3:  Be honest.  Sure, that bikini shot of you on the beaches of Mexico during that college spring break trip could rival those featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition; but if that picture is a good 10 years outdated or 30 pounds under your current weight, then opt instead for a picture that is a more accurate representation of your looks.  When you stretch the truth about anything (no matter how small it seems—about your appearance, job, education, etc.), keep in mind that you might really hit it off with a guy online—and think of how embarrassed you will be when you meet in person and it is revealed that you were being dishonest with him. 

#4:  Take it slow.  If you go into online dating expecting to meet the man you are going to marry after just two weeks, you are just setting yourself up for failure when guys flock in the other direction after hearing the wedding bells you are ringing.  Don’t rush into anything.  Be realistic about your expectations and look at the opportunity as a fun and exciting way to get to know like-minded singles while learning more about yourself and what you want in a partner.  And hey, if you don’t find the man of your dreams, at least you may get some delicious, free meals and fantastic dates out of it! 

#5:  Keep your options open.  Just because the first guy to give you a wink via your online dating service is handsome and meets the majority of credentials you’ve outlined for a prospective partner doesn’t mean you need to cancel your online dating membership tomorrow.  Until you are in a committed, monogamous relationship, there is nothing wrong with talking to/dating as many men as you want.  Get the most out of your online dating experience and don’t limit yourself by putting all of your eggs in one basket.