Dating Services...
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Search And Make A Match |
Services To Help You Search And Make A Match
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Personal ads, video dating, call lines and plain old matchmaking may seem "passé," but they are still worthwhile options. In fact, since they've been around for a while, some of these services have expanded, like onto the internet. Such dating services have also become more socially acceptable; people are not as embarrassed or afraid to use them. As a result, a wider group of people is participating, giving you a better chance of meeting someone right for you. As long as you exercise the usual precautions, you don't have much to lose. |
Keep in mind that repeated efforts are usually necessary in order to get your message out in advertising or public relations. So don't be discouraged if, similarly, your first attempts at dating services do not lead to a big or successful response.
Personal Ads |
| One of the least expensive matchmaking services. Before placing an ad, think carefully about the type of person you are trying to reach. Remember when you submit a personal ad, you are an advertiser selling yourself, so you want to stand out from the crowd. You also want to attract the desired "customer" to your "product"- you. Remember, the goal is not the quantity of responses, but the quality. When writing your ad, be honest, creative and descriptive about what you offer and what you want. Make sure your personality shines through. |
Answering Ads |
| In answering an ad, the same rules apply as in submitting one: be honest, creative and descriptive. Besides telling about yourself, respond to the specific points the person wrote about. Get as much information about the person as possible. Ask for a photo- not just to see if the person is your type, but to get a "sense" of the person. |
Video Dating |
| Seeing a person and watching how he or she talks and moves gives you much more information than a written personal ad, and saves time and energy in helping you make a decision faster. Video ads however are more expensive than personal ads. |
Dating Call Lines |
| Telephone party lines were popular in the early 90's, when ads for these services flooded late-night TV. By dialing a certain number, you gain access to a public phone line with a group of other callers who want to talk or make dates. These lines tend to cater to young people, and can be very costly, as they often charge by the minute. |
Professional Matchmakers |
| Matchmakers do things the "old fashioned way"- based on intuition and experience. Some people like the personal touch that matchmakers provide, compared to internet dating. |
Speed Dating
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Research shows that people decide if they are attracted to someone in less than a minute. There are many variations of the traditional 8-minute state your case and make your impression speed dating. Events are run all around the world, mostly for upscale 20 and 30 some-things, but also for groups targeted by age, race, religion, interests or sexual preference. At such an event you can expect to sign in and get a card with a number that randomly assigns you to other numbered hopefuls for 8-minute rounds of chat. |
| You sit down at a table for your first chat with a stranger, and when a bell rings after each 8 minutes, each person moves on to his or her next assigned number. If you are interested in seeing someone again, you note it on your card. Afterwards, you log onto the website and if two people entered each other's information, the organisers will tell you there's an "interested match," and then you are able to get in touch via email. |
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