Do's and Don'ts of Online Dating

It’s amazing how many commercials I see for eHarmony, the famous online dating site. Nearly everyday I hear about how they just filled out this quick profile and Boom! Instant Love! Well it’s not quite that simple. So here’s my top "Online Dating" do’s and don'ts that may not guarantee love, but can sure help you find it.

Online dating can be quite intimidating, especially since mere words and a picture is all you get to make that crucial "First Impression." Because of this, it's important that you take the process seriously and honestly.

1. Do take time filling out any tests or surveys the site may have for you. Take every test seriously, or no man or woman will take you seriously.
2. Do write something funny. No matter if you’re a man or a woman, you love a good laugh. Put a good, clean joke in your profile to give any potential dates something to smile at.
3. Do write about what’s most important to you, whether it’s religious beliefs, family, or career. This will give potential daters very crucial information about you.
4. Do talk and act like a gentleman or a lady. Cursing on your profile isn’t going to send the right messages about you and will only attract the wrong kinds of people.
5. Do be open-minded about who you date. Focus on what’s on the inside. Try to remember that everyone has their flaws and you’re no better than they are.

Learning "What not to do" is the trick to making sure you're profile doesn't turn away possible suitors. I'm not telling you to lie on your profile, in fact, quite the opposite. Honesty really is the best policy.

1. Don’t talk about any previous relationship on your profile. This may seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised with how many people skip over it.
2. Don’t come off too strong. Asking to meet before you’ve even talked will just make you look creepy and needy. Be patient. All goods things come to those who wait.
3. Don’t put up pictures that are deceiving. Everyone has their good pictures, but make sure they look like you. You don’t want a potential date to think you’re something you’re not.
4. Don’t be dishonest. We all want to make a good impression, but what happens when you find the love of your life and you have to tell them you’ve been lying this whole time?
5. Don’t worry so much about it! All you have to do is be yourself and you’ll find the one you’re looking for, whether it’s through the internet or not.

Online dating is entirely different, but can be amazing if done right. You know all those cheesy E-Harmony, Match.com, Chemistry.com commercials that show all the happily matched couples. I used to be a skeptic too until my own brother found the love of his life through E-Harmony! I couldn't be happier for them!

I hope you'll get the courage to take that leap of faith into the world of online dating. You never know who you'll find!

~ Laura