Quotations by Laurie Davis
Many eDaters are savvy enough to spot a generic, template message and get rid of them without so much as a response. To be truly proactive and productive in your digital dating life, you have to click Compose and start typing a message tailored specially for your cyber-crush's eyes only. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Passions are the best topics of conversation, particularly if you have a few in common. [2013] - Laurie Davis
The best way to begin an email is just to jump right in with no salutation at all. Avoiding a salutation gets the highest response rates on OkCupid. But if skipping a salutation feels too strange to you, OkCupid found that "How's it going?" "What's up?" and "Howdy" ranked high as greetings in its study. [2013] - Laurie Davis
An email isn't a text message. You should use proper grammar and sentence structure. Steer clear of netspeak like "ur," "ya." or "wat." However, users do respond well to humor, so "haha" and "lol" are OK. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Asking one question at the end of a message is a must. Keep the question simple. Start with your experience on the topic, and then ask a simple yes-or-no question. Uncomplicated questions will encourage your match to expand on the topic. Always close the email with your name. [2013] - Laurie Davis
A first message should be short and sweet. Women should write less, usually three or four sentences. Men should write a bit more, but still not too much--four to ten sentences is ideal. [2013] - Laurie Davis
The one circumstance when templates can sometimes be effective is when you're only looking to date casually, because you can increase the number of messages sent. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Your goal should be to reply to a message within twenty-four hours. Do yourself a favor, and download your dating sites' mobile app to help keep you on point. [2013] - Laurie Davis
When replying a message, show your interest by asking one or two questions (it's OK to ask more than one question once you're engaged in chatter), and add more details about your life to keep the momentum moving. But keep your responses to no longer than one paragraph per topic. When one person drops off the email string, it's usually because the right mix of both elements is missing. Remember: relate, then add. [2013] - Laurie Davis
"Hi" is a little formal for flirting territory. Use "Hey" instead. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Take things beyond the broadband and meet up after six messages total. After you're written three emails to your match, it's time to get offline--any more, and you risk creating an entirely Web-based relationship. Write her a normal, conversational email, and end with a statement about meeting up. Then ask when works best for her. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Date-scheduling System: 1. Give someone two date options from your calendar. 2. If you have multiple matches that are ready to meet up, ask one, and then wait twenty-four hours before asking our another. 3. If you haven't heard back within twenty-four hours, go ahead and message your next date, but don't give specific times. 4. If you have more than two dates to schedule at once, stay vague with your availability, and email them at the same time so you have room to plan. [2013] - Laurie Davis
If you've been out more than five times with someone, you might want to slow down on dating other people. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Wait until at least the second date to be alone in either of your homes. If you're seeking a serious relationship, getting a nightcap or venturing into bedroom behavior on a first date isn't advised, anyway. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Either commit thirty minutes a day to online dating or send three new messages per sitting until you have a full flirting agenda. [2013] - Laurie Davis
You want to make sure that you stay at the top of your matches' search results. On most sites, adding a new picture will automatically send you to the top of people's search result. Choose two pics more than you need for your profile, and keep alternating between the two--delete one and upload another each week. Another option is to make minor edits to the text of your profile. Doing this anytime of the week should optimize your ranking, but updating on high-traffic days is best. Most sites agree that Sunday is one of the most active days for eFlirting. [2013] - Laurie Davis
If you can't find something to compose a few lines about, that will make an impact in their inbox, it's unlikely either of your will make an impact on one another offline. [2013] - Laurie Davis
Avoid sharing a meal during the first meet-up. Meals are second-date territory in the Winkisphere. [2013] - Laurie Davis
According to a Match.com study of singles in America, 58 percent of men and 51 percent of women who have been in love and believe in love at first sight have experienced it. [2013] - Laurie Davis
According to HowAboutWe, meeting for drinks never goes out of style. It's the most suggested and positively-responded-to date idea on that site. If you or your date don't drink, independent coffee shops with a more personal vibe can be a good option. If a spot serves lattes in real mugs, it may be worth suggesting. The five most popular proposed dates on HowAboutWeare are culinary adventures, shows, desserts, sightseeing, and active dates (like Frisbee or Scrabble). [2013] - Laurie Davis