How to get a good response from your online dating ad

Although creating a dating ad on our site is free, it is not something that should be done in a hurry if you are looking to successfully find love online, the dating experience starts the minute a site visitor looks at your profile. This is a monumental moment in online dating and you have just a few seconds to impress. A half baked profile and a blurred photo will have those visitors clicking the back button in droves.

Your online dating ad should be well planned in advance, reflecting the 'real you' and exactly what you are looking for. It is pointless to pretend to be someone that you are not, because someone looking for who you really are will miss you! If you are honest, it avoids wasting your time and everyone else’s.

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words so getting it right is paramount. Online ads posted by people with photos get approximately 12 times the hits of those without. It is not compulsory, but if you want to make the best impression possible, it's worth doing. At Expats Dating we give you the opportunity to upload several large images and one preview image with your ad.

When you start receiving all those responses to your ad (because you decided to upload a photo after all), it is either going to light your fire, or not interest you at all. Whichever, it is always good manners to reply, even if it's to say "Thanks, but no thanks." After all, this person has paid you a compliment by being interested enough in you to send you an email, so send an acknowledgement that the email was received. If the email does light your fire, then respond to it and enjoy!

Responding to an online dating ad

When you are browsing our database for interesting profiles, you need to understand that not everyone will be responding and some will not be interested in what you have to offer, so it is advisable to send enquiries to more than one ad at once. There can be a certain 'feeling out' process to make sure this is a right contact for all parties. While it can work, don't go overboard with your first email and unless specifically asked, don't go into long tirades about what a good lover you are and what you will do with him/her/them when you meet. Try to keep it short and sweet by introducing yourself and letting people know a little bit about yourself. Just as someone putting in an ad should submit a picture, so should you send a picture when you respond to the ad.

Once you receive a response to your initial email, you can then begin giving a little more information. Alternatively suggest a brief chat on the phone which will enable you get a better feel for each other. Once you have exchanged enough emails and phone conversations and you feel entirely comfortable, it will inevitably be time for a meeting.

Meeting your Online Date

Nervous or what! Ths is a big step, nothing to hide behind now. A first meeting should be fun, but bear in mind that there is a safety issue here and suggest a public place in daylight. If things go well, you can always arrange another date in a more intimate setting, for another time.

Common Courtesy

This should be fairly easy on a first date as both parties are usually on their 'best behaviour'. The first thing to remember is that NO actually does mean NO. Just because you have arranged to meet doesn't necessarily mean that you will click with your date and want to take things further. This could apply to one, or even both of you. Don't take it too personally if your date doesn't gel with you, not everyone can get along, and there's plenty more fish in the sea. Just move along to the next one.

If you are invited to your dates home for the first time, remember that you are a guest. Dress appropriately for the situation, maybe bring a small gift, and don't put your feet up on the coffee table - you don't live there! Just because you are entering into a possible relationship doesn't mean you have to behave like an idiot. Good manners go a long way in breaking through those first-time jitters. If you respect the other party, you will do fine, and you will never lack new dating opportunities. Word gets around, and the fools suffer while the good ones are in high demand!