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Online dating continues to transform the ways people meet, interact, and fall in and out of love. Because dating apps and social networking sites have become so ubiquitous, the process of this type of dating has developed into a series of best practices that people should follow if they want to successfully meet that man or woman of their dreams. Conversely, not following such tips can end up wasting a lot of time, leaving you confused, hurt, and unwilling to put yourself out there. The fact of the matter is this: online dating works.

People have met, dated, and married as a result of their initial e-dating escapades. In fact, more people today than ever meet online and carry their communications offline only when there has been ongoing success in the online environment. If you are looking for love, you need to date online. However, success is not the only thing riding on your efforts. The best practices that successful love birds follow also keep them safe.

One important aspect of meeting online and then in person is that the budding relationship always returns to where it began: online. As such, there is a certain type of follow up required of any online relationship. If you get this wrong, it could end up jeopardizing the entire relationship. If you get it right, that second date might just be a text away.

Meeting online

1. Present a profile that presents you at your best

Your profile consists of everything online that presents the idea of who you are. For instance, your photos should be taken in a way so as to [create the best impression of you] without being misleading. For instance, your photos should show you smiling. Of course, no one smiles on a twenty-four-hour basis, but yours should show you when you are happiest. This will allow people to see you at your best.

Additionally, when it comes to adhering to or just some online dating advice, the written part of your profile should be unique in the same way that you are unique. That said, it should be positive rather than depressing. People want to fall in love. They are not searching for co-dependence or to meet someone who seems to complain all the time.

Finally, your profile should show your family, friends, and activities. Doing so will allow you to attract people that are interested in at least some of things that interest you. Moreover, it allows people to get a sense of who you are, what you stand for, and the people with whom you have fun.

2. Be polite

In the same manner people are typically polite with strangers, you should strive to be polite with anyone deciding to contact you. Doing so will help keep digital dating pleasant. Additionally, if you are impolite, someone might take it as hassling, and you could have your profile reported, flagged, or blocked. Just as important, being polite can lead to the development of new friendships. For instance, even if you do not find the love of your life in the first 90 days, you might end up meeting people that become great friends, and it has been known for friends to grow closer and fall in love. An impolite word or two can sabotage rich potentiality.

3. Explore interests

Of course, you have your interests, and your online contacts will have theirs. Moreover, some of these activities that interest others might not initially appeal to you. Similarly, people might not be initially into your favorite interests. However, during the initial stages of e-dating, you should strive to explore interests of others. Doing so will broaden your experiences and allow you to connect with a wider set of people. Even if you are dead set against going paragliding, you might be interested in water skiing, hiking, or speed-boating.

Meeting in person

The arena of online relationships will eventually move into the real world. When that happens, you should understand that this is an evolution of the previous digital process. What you say and do can have long-lasting effects on your relationship or friendship with someone else, and it can have a long-lasting impact on your enjoyment of the process.

4. Be understanding

Offline, politeness evolves into understanding, sympathy, and empathy. For instance, if your date is late, it is much better to be understanding than to be irritated. Additionally, if your date has fears about moving too quickly or has qualms about being anything more than friends, it is better to understand their perspective rather than imposing your perspective on that person. Doing so allows the other person room to think and consider his or her own feelings in relation to you. Making someone feel rushed or claustrophobic is easy to avoid by attempting to understand your date’s perspective.

Additionally, being understanding will spill into conversations of religion, politics, or sports. In these instances, being understanding and polite will allow you–and the other person–to determine if the relationship has any chance of deepening.

5. Be safe

When dating via a website moves offline, you should [[tell others where you are going]](https://www.safety.com/10-online-dating-safety-tips/#:~:text=Don't Give Out Too Much Personal Info.&text=Don’t give out places,a little more about yourself.), whom you are seeing, and share information about that person to someone who can serve as your safety net if things turn dangerous, complicated, or simply boring. Having someone who can call you in the middle and near the end of your date can allow you to have an escape route if you realize that the date will never lead anywhere.

Additionally, at the beginning of a date, you might simply mention that your friend dropped you off and that that person will be picking you up. Doing so will make your date realize you are not isolated, alone, or vulnerable. Although most dating experiences end with friendship or a budding romance, it is necessary to plan for your safety–just in case.

6. Do not be over suggestive or push

Everybody has safe zones or comfort zones. Although many people like to try new things, some people will find certain new things frightening. In these cases, when people are not open to trying something new, it is important to remain understanding and not push. If you push someone to do something, you could ruin a date. Moreover, you could end up at the wrong end of a lawsuit if something goes seriously awry.

However, the most important reason to not push is, perhaps, that even if someone gives in to your assertiveness, you run the risk of mistaking their discomfort for being open to new experiences. At the end of the date, you might just find that they were complying to simply end the date. In these instances, both parties might have more fun by not pushing and realizing that some dates are not meant to be.

Communicating online after the date

During the days following a date, you will likely find the communication to revert to a digital process. It is important that you engage this experience in such a way as to respect to the other person’s feelings in a way to build the relationship.

7. Relive the experience

Many times, it is important to relive the date or experience during your e-mails, texts, or chats. Telling your date how much fun you had without pushing too soon for another date will allow you to assess if your date felt similarly about the experience.

When it comes to dating online, this is one of the most critical stages.

In fact, the very first communication could be to say something nice and remind the person that you had a fantastic time or that it was better than you could have imagined. Such a comment will help the other person if he or she is feeling somewhat nervous or uncertain about how you might have felt.

8. Explore future dates

If re-living the date goes well, you should at this time mention how you would like to do something in the future. Setting the date at least a week ahead can give the other person time to adjust his or her schedule. Additionally, it allows the other person to look forward to the next date and to enjoy the anticipation of it all.

9. Get input

Telling your own friends about the date will allow you to get a third perspective on anything that might be troubling you. Additionally, getting a friend’s input can be invaluable about where to go on the next date or how to interpret any mixed signals. Finally, telling a friend can help you remain safe on future dates.

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