Online dating tips for single men:
1. Be positive about yourself. Don't come across as somebody who needs online dating to rebuild his confidence.
2. Avoid humour if you are not funny. If you have to be funny, make sure that you make fun only of yourself and not of her.
3. Read carefully her dating profile. Look for clues as to what she wants you to comment on, and react on these clues, else she may ignore you. Don't get carried away with her good photo.
4. Make your first dating direct message short. One paragraph of three to five sentences is enough.
5. Avoid excuses no matter how valid they may be. You need to project a positive image all the time. Excuses are counter-productive.
6. Don't mention other women or your ex, at least not early in the relationship. Keep your mother out of your e-mails.
7. Don't make any references to sex in any form.
8. Show that you are interested in her all the times.
9. Be careful how you comment on her photo. You must comment on it, but don't make it look as if her stunning photo was the main reason for contacting her.
10. Avoid looking desperate by sending one e-mail after another.
11. Wait about a week for your first reply, then send a reminder. But if you do not get a response after that, assume that is the end of this online dating attempt and move to the next one.
Online dating tips for single women:
1. Don't stress that your man has to have a good sense of humour. It may be intimidating especially if he is not particularly funny.
2. Don't show your vulnerabilityb by hinting at your lack of courage or confidence etc.
3. Don't make any pre-conditions, they are a definite turnoff. Even if you are feeling very strongly about something, there are ways of putting your concerns across.
4. Don't overdo your 'positive image' by replies that are blisteringly funny. This could be a turnoff.
5. Safeguard your anonymity. Don't give away any information that could make lose your anonymity.
6. Avoid any references to sex in any form. This would send a very wrong message.
7. Do comment on his photo if there is one. Men like to hear that they are good looking.
8. Try to answer online dating e-mails, even just to say that you are not interested.
9. Don't make any derogatory comments about men, and specifically not about online dating men.
