By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)
With millions of singles searching for dates online, your odds of getting noticed can feel overwhelming. You may be a real catch but how can you get that special someone to notice you? Don’t get discouraged. Instead, check out this list of the top ten ways to stand out from the online crowd. Pretty soon you’ll be landing more dates than you can handle. That’s a great problem to have, isn’t it?
1) Create a catchy username
We’re not talking about something inappropriate here. But if you can brainstorm a funny or catchy username, you’re bound to stand out versus John123 or DebP.
2) Send tailored emails
If you’re emailing a prospect, refer early in your email to something buried in their profile. It will show you took the time to get-to-know the prospect before emailing.
3) Hold an object in your photo
Once again, nothing offensive. But believe it or not, if you hold a picture frame or small statue, eyes will be drawn to your photo. Then at least you’ll get noticed before singles move on to the next photo.
4) Write a unique headline
Think of your own profile as an online ad. Assume people have short attention spans. If you don’t grab them right away, they’ll move-on. So open with a catchy sentence or something unique that will stand out.
5) Respond promptly
You can lose out on a great prospect simply by failing to check your inbox regularly. Make a habit of checking at least every other day to see if anyone interesting has contacted you.
6) Get on the homepage
Many sites feature a handful of members on their homepage. Find out from your online site what it takes to land a homepage listing. You’ll get noticed by exponentially more prospects and will soon be flooded with interest.
7) Be authentic
It’s tempting to build yourself up to be more than you really are. But don’t you want others to fall in love with the real you? Be honest and you’ll get responses from people who have better odds of lasting over the long haul.
8) Use wink and IM features
A quick way to get in touch with lots of prospects is to use an online dating site’s wink or IM feature. This enables you to send several quick messages to lots of potential dates without committing too much time upfront.
9) Join the community
If the online site you join offers an online community or forum, become an active member. You’ll quickly gain a reputation on the site, maybe even build a following, and that can only lead to more dates.
10) Don’t be overanxious
Everyone is concerned with online safety. Act in an overanxious manner and you’ll quickly be labeled a stalker or worse. Express interest in people but play it cool. If it’s meant to be the first date will get arranged soon enough.
So there you have it, ten tips that can help you stand out in the crowded field of online dating. Now go out there and try one or more of these suggestions. You’ll see your online dating success improve in no time
Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit Online Dating eBook.
