5 Tips for online dating

Whether you’re new to online dating or you’re been on the scene for some time, there’s always some tips and advice that you can learn along the way to help your journey towards love. At Mindful Dating, we’ve compiled 5 of our best tips that we swear by when online dating before your first date. 

 

1. Don’t have any expectations for your first, or even third date

First dates can be extremely nerve wracking. Especially if you’ve really hit it off on text or with a phone call. Sometimes this can lead to over expecting a connection without meeting the person. 

A first date usually lasts either an hour or two or sometimes a bit longer (depending how well you’ve got on) so treat your first date with someone as a warm up. Try not to build up an idea in your head and instead, pay attention to the reality of the date as they may come across differently in real life. This doesn’t mean that they’re ingenious, it just means be aware of the person in front of you and the conversation they bring to the date. 

2. Try not to overdo it on the texting before a date

When you match with someone and the exchange messages on a dating app changes into texting, try to ask genuine questions that will give you an idea of if they’re your kind of person before going on a date. Avoid pointless conversation like “what are you up to?” And small talk. 

Instead ask about what type of holidays they like (as you may love the beach and all inclusive, but they might not stand the idea), how close are they with their family and so on. 

3. Make sure your profile has talking points

Matching with someone on a dating app is only the beginning of the process. If you want someone to approach you and make the first move on the dating app, make sure you have plenty of ‘talking points’ on your profile. 

This could be a photo of you on holiday, which can spark a conversation about travel (because everyone loves to talk about where they’ve been). Another great way is to ask a question in your profile bio, such as “Tell me one fact about yourself?” - this is fun and light hearted and will be a great first talking point with someone on an app.

4. Ask the all important question 

Everyone signs up for online dating for so many different reasons, whether it’s something casual, friends with benefits or a long term relationship. Now, if you’re looking to settle down and you don’t want to waste your time going on a date to find out that they just want to hook up, then it’s really important to ask the other person what they’re hoping to get from online dating. It’s also important that you’re honest with the other person too, as you might want to casually date, but the other person wants to settle down. 

Dating apps do make this easier to tell with many filters and profile prompts that you can tag to tell your potential matches what you’re looking for. But, I wouldn’t take this as gospel. It’s better to ask the person while you’re getting to know them on text. Furthermore, follow it up on the date too so that you can ask the question face-to-face to gage their intentions a bit more authentically. 

5. Go by their profile potential

When someone has taken the time to select a range of good quality photos and typed up a decent profile bio (extra bonus points if they make you laugh) then this is a good sign. It means that they have taken the time to really put effort into their profile to get the best possible matches. Although this won’t guarantee a whirlwind romance, it does mean that they’ve put thought into their online dating efforts, which goes a long way.