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1st Contact? What to say?
First impressions are important online as much as they are in person A good subject
line followed by an effective message can be the difference between receiving a
response or not.
Try these seven simple suggestions to help you get started:
- Be personable and complimentary
- Everyone likes a compliment. Whether you say you are enamored with his or her disarming
smile or impressed with their scope of answers to the profile questions a compliment
is welcomed and well received.
- Do not send a bio or generic letters
- Generic letters are impersonal and a total buzz kill, so avoid sending the same
introductory email to everyone you want to meet and leave the cut and paste function
for work. Tell the person whom you writing what it was about their profile that
piqued your interest. Tell the person in what ways you believe the two of you to
be compatible. The more personable and engaging your email is, the better it will
be received.
- Be positive and comfortable in your skin
- All too often members begin their message(s) with a statement like, "I created my
profile as joke...", "I can't believe I'm doing this" or "I'm not sure if you'll
like my profile, but..." Start your conversation with a dash of confidence and a
pinch of personality. Serve it up warm and watch the responses roll in.
- Be polite
- Treat others as you wish to be treated. To be pushy or rude with members will get
your message straight into the "delete" box. Be friendly and amicable - after all,
we are all on this site to make friends and to meet our soul mate.
- Emphasize common interests
- What common interests, hobbies, attitudes do you share with him/her. Emphasize these
common interests
- Use "emoticons"
- Use our "emoticons" to display your fun and creative side.
- Be Honest
- "It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not."
- Take your time before requesting direct contact information
- The anonymity of online dating gives you time to get acquainted safely before you
decide to talk on the phone or meet in person. Take your time in getting to know
the other person and value your privacy. To be too pushy for personal information
(phone number, etc.) is a turn off and sure red flag for experienced online users
who use dating services.
Online Dating Safety Tips
Every year, thousands of our members find love on our World Singles' online personals
sites. World Singles offers a fun, relaxed and safe environment that gives you control
over your online dating experience, allowing you to progress at your own pace in
order to establish a healthy relationship - whether it's just a casual friendship
you're after, or a passionate, lasting romance. Keeping in mind that to grow any
relationship, it takes time to get to know someone and so we want to encourage you
to exercise caution when getting to know people online and off-line. Here are few
tips that can help you experience the fun and excitement that comes with connecting
with new people.
EVERYDAY TIPS FOR DATING ON AND OFF-LINE
- Guard your identity: Don't share your real name, personal phone numbers, or any
other identifying information while instant messaging or emailing until you are
comfortable doing so. We recommend you do not post personal contact information
in your profile.
- Remain anonymous until you feel safe and ready to explore other options: Your communication
options on World Singles are designed to help you protect your identity until you
choose to reveal it - this includes email and instant messenger. If a person provides
his or her phone number early in the email exchange, that doesn't obligate you to
use it.
- Use a third party, anonymous email address: While World Singles' internal email
system conceals true email and instant messaging addresses, hackers can breach nearly
any technology. As an added safety measure, set up a third-party email address to
use expressly for dating purposes and forward your World Singles' emails there instead
of to your personal email box. We also recommend you turn off signatures or identifying
information in your email and consider using a P.O. Box for snail mail.
- Be careful when using a sexy name: Keep in mind that, while using sexual connotations
in your email address or user name might get you noticed, it probably won't attract
the sort of person you'd like to share a relationship with - or even a conversation,
for that matter. We also recommend you do not include your real name or city of
residence in your profile or in your user name.
- Use a current picture and be truthful in your description of yourself in your profile:
Misleading descriptions or photos can result in angry feelings and can end a relationship
before it begins. In the long run, honesty is your best relationship tool.
- Trust your gut: Immediately quit corresponding if you feel unsure or threatened.
- Keep a record of your conversations: Remember to save your emails and instant messages
for future reference.
- Block abusers: World Singles encourages you to block any member who behaves in an
abusive manner and to report the behavior to World Singles. You can block people
and report concerns to World Singles. Some common examples of abuse include: married
people or minors using the service; members sending harassing or offensive emails/IMs;
criminals or other "shady" characters using the service; fraudulent registration
or profiles; spam or solicitation; copyright infringement; members asking you for
money or donations; any other violation of World Singles' policies which are listed
in the Terms section of the World Singles' sites.
MEETING IN PERSON
A first meeting can be exciting, and most first meetings are perfectly safe. But
it's always smart to take basic precautions. Always trust your instincts and be
sure to keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Meet in public: World Singles encourages you to arrange to meet in a populated,
public place. We strongly discourage you from meeting in a private home, hotel room
or in a remote location.
- Tell friends where you are going: World Singles encourages you to tell at least
one friend or family member you are meeting, where you are going and when you expect
to return. Let your date know the meeting is not a secret.
- Stay sober: World Singles encourages you to refrain from drinking excessively, as
it could impair your ability to make good decisions and may put you at risk. There
are plenty of drinks to chose from so, on the first date, stick to nonalcoholic
drinks or, at a minimum, limit your alcohol intake.
- Take your cell phone with you: World Singles encourages you to take your mobile
phone with you. Most cell phones can be used to call 911.
- Do not ask the other person to pick you up: World Singles encourages you to get
yourself to and from the date, even if you have to have a friend drive you or take
a taxi.
- Do not leave your purses, wallets or drinks unattended: World Singles encourages
you to keep an eye on your personal belongings. This includes your drink-don't risk
having it tampered with.
- Don't risk having your personal information stolen. The same goes for your drink
- don't risk having it tampered with.
- Do not succumb to the temptation to take first dates to your home or to go to their
home: Stay in a public place, even if you are pressured. If you feel pressured,
end the meeting and leave at once.
- Set up a next date if you are ready and feel comfortable: World Singles encourages
you to schedule a second date if you feel a connection, but, we also encourage you
to continue to follow all of our dating safety tips on future meetings.
LONG DISTANCE DATING
Online dating enables you to connect with great men and women that live in different
cities, states and even countries. We encourage you to connect with other quality
singles, wherever they live. But, we encourage you to also keep these dating safety
tips in mind when first making that long distance connection.
- Stay in a hotel: If you can't afford to stay in a hotel, don't go. Do not stay at
the other person's home on your first visit.
- Use public transportation to get to and from the airport: If the other person wants
to greet you at the airport - great! It shows interest and it's polite. But do not
get into a personal vehicle with someone who you are meeting for the first time.
- Keep your hotel location private: Until you are completely certain of the person's
intentions, don't reveal exactly where you're staying.
- Keep valuables in the hotel or room safe: Don't take them or wear them on your date.
- Keep your family and friends posted: World Singles encourages you to always tell
someone who you are meeting, where you are going and when you plan to return.
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