2008-07-02 01:39:06 -
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are members of Internet dating sites, and that figure is increasing by 20 percent every year.
Though the Internet is the ultimate meeting place for the 21st century, it can difficult to find love online, as thousands, if not millions, can attest.
Finding 'The One' - A Powerful Step-by-Step Guide to Making Online Dating Work for
You, a new book by Internet dating expert Yvonne Rice, helps people navigate the new singles scene successfully and safely.
Finding 'The One,' which Rice wrote after researching thousands of online dating sites and interviewing thousands of people about their experiences, is the ultimate handbook for people seeking long-term, meaningful relationships on the Internet. Anyone who is looking for love online should have a copy of Finding 'The One' and refer to it often before posting a profile, responding to a potential suitor's email or going out on a first date with an Internet hookup.
'I really believe that people can find the one' on the Internet, but a lot of online daters give up because they've had bad experiences in the past,' said Rice, a former dating agency owner. 'If you don't follow the right protocol, it's easy to become disillusioned or disappointed with online dating. But plenty of people have found their soul mates online and are living their own version of happily ever after.'
In fact, one global dating site estimates that there are about 90 marriages every day among people who met online. And online relationships have produced more than 100,000 offspring worldwide.
How do you become one of those happy couples?
Rice has the answers.
In Finding 'The One', Rice takes her readers though the process of signing up for an online dating service, posting a profile, communicating with potential mates, the first date and beyond. She also offers helpful tips on how people can avoid online predators, dishonest people and other Internet dating dangers.
In Finding 'The One', Rice advises:
There is no right or wrong dating site. And there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people may be more comfortable on a niche dating site that allows them to find people with similar interests and preferences, while others may be more successful on a general-interest dating site.
When choosing an Internet dating service, read the site's policies and privacy disclosures carefully. Avoid sharing any personal information, including your name, date of birth, phone number or address that could be visible to other site users.
Choose an appropriate user or profile name that isn't suggestive - unless you intend it to be.
Know the lingo of online dating. Avoid using terms such as 'fun,' 'casual friends,' 'good times,' 'open-minded' or 'seeking friends' as those are code words used by people seeking sex.
Be honest when writing your online dating profile. Give prospective suitors an idea of who you are without sharing too many personal details.
Post a photo with your profile and be honest about when it was taken. Never use someone else's photo in place of your own. Use candid snapshots instead of professional photographs. People who have photos posted are 15 times more likely to have someone click on their profile.
When describing your ideal mate, avoid negative language. Describe what you want - not what you don't want. Take an inventory of what's important to you, and be as specific as possible.
Before initiating contact with someone online, read their profile to ensure that you are compatible and that you fit the other person's criteria.
Don't fall into the trap of becoming too attached to someone whom you only know through email or instant messages. The Internet can create a false sense of closeness, and many people find themselves 'in love' with the idea of being in love.
Keep email messages lighthearted and avoid confrontational topics such as sports, religion, politics and past relationships.
If you find someone who interests you, arrange a face-to-face meeting fairly soon, so you can determine if there's any spark.
Always meet in a safe place. A coffee shop in the middle of the day is a great option. And let a friend know where you're going to be in case there's trouble.
Make sure you have a fully charged cell phone on that first date so you can call for help if necessary.
Don't do or say anything online that you wouldn't do in or say in person. Practice courtesy always.
When meeting someone you met online, remember to dress to impress. Practice good hygiene and wear appropriate clothing that fits well. Avoid wearing overpowering perfume or cologne and expensive jewelry,
Finding 'the one' may take time. Don't expect to find your soul mate your first time out. You may have to chat with many people and go on many dates before finding that special someone.
In the beginning, use the dating site's communication system, such as internal email and IM functions, to communicate to avoid sharing personal information with people who you don't know. If you plan to share your number with people you meet on the Internet, consider getting a cheap, prepaid mobile phone for that purpose.
Don't set yourself up for rejection by contacting people with widely dissimilar interest or values.
Don't send money to anyone you meet over the Internet.
Yvonne Rice, who lives in Australia, is also the author of Love Sex Lies and the Internet mouse trap', a no-holds-barred account on Internet dating, based on years of research and thousands of interviews with single people. It is the most honest, humorous and frank look at what's happening in chat rooms and email inboxes around the world.
Finding 'The One' - A Powerful Step-by-Step Guide to Making Online Dating Work for You and Love Sex Lies and the Internet mouse trap' are available online at www.singlesdatingpedia.com. Yvonne Rice is available for print and broadcast interviews, and she is available to write guest columns on dating (online and offline). Excerpts of her books may be reprinted with permission from the author and publisher. For more information, email
yvonnerice@singlesdatingpedia.com or her U.S.-based press agent, Amy Buchanan at
amybuchanan@singlesdatingpedia.com or (336) 856-8925.
