In 2003, online dating statistics showed that nearly 40 million Americans were using online dating services, with 20 million people logging on to at least on site every month. 48% of single men and 53% of single women were browsing profiles in search of "that special someone". The average amount spent by a consumer was 239 dollars per year. Online dating statistics show that in the first half of 2003 alone, a whopping 214 million dollars was spent by consumers on the services provided by an array of various companies. The business was booming, and online dating research estimated that by 2008, online dating companies would see a growth of 642 million dollars, and 900 million dollars by 2011.
Online dating statistics showed that 31% of Americans knew someone that had used an online dating service. With 40% of America's dating pool using these services, success rates were high. Surveys showed that 72% of women using these services found romance, while 52% of male online daters found their connection as well. The survey also showed that 33% of these people were able to convert the online dating experience into an actual date,with an average of 40% of those finding a serious, long term relationship or at least a close friendship. This lead to an estimated 120,000 marriages yearly that had stemmed from the use of online dating sites. Companies such as Eharmony claim to have an average of 90 users that wed each day.
In 2005, the industry saw a decline. Online dating statistics from February of that year showed that 33% less users were visiting these sites. The cost has changed as well, not to the benefit of the consumer, though. On average men were spending 100 to 150 dollars per month while women were spending 50 dollars per month, giving the companies a gross revenue of nearly 500 million dollars that year.
Over the next two years, the average cost dropped, giving single consumers a chance yet again to find love. Match.com claims that over 200,000 of their users were successful in the search for a soul mate last year. While online dating statistics have been shaky over the past few years, the success rate seems to remain quite stable. For those who are tired of the bar scene, or bumping shopping carts at the grocery store, online dating might be a new avenue to try. Its worth a shot, and what is there to lose? The online dating statistics give the industry a reputable name, and if things don't turn out quite like a fairy tale, its okay. One doesn't need to worry about the tears of a dramatic ending, for online dating statistics show that 48% of online relationships that turn sour are brought to an end via email!
Are you new to the world of online dating? Here are 10 Quick Tips to help you succeed with online dating while protecting yourself against the predators and losers out there.
1. Create a screen name that is interesting but not too sexy. You want to avoid any hints of marriage or wanting to be married or have immediate sex like "WannaBeMarried82" or "SexKitten69". A screen name that includes your name should also be avoided because the second reason for an alias is to avoid putting yourself out there too soon. You want to give your real name to the right person and not just everybody. Try a screen name that is based on your looks which is usually appealing to men. Or, avoid it all together, and use something obscure.
2. Avoid sending emails to every man you find in your zip code, outside of the 50 mile radius of where you live or thousands of miles away. While quantity does generate a lot of response, you want to be selective and sane. This means that you will need to be patient. Some men will contact you, and that will most times lead to a date that is kept, and not a bunch of responses from tire-kickers who are never going to leave their houses. If someone you fancy does not contact you, send him a short e-mail and then wait for him to follow up. And, I do mean wait.
3. When you've made contact by email, avoid answering any questions you would not answer on a first date. If the man starts asking too many personal questions, beware. Don't tell your prospective date anything about your income, past relationships, medical problems, etc. It is also not a good idea to tell him about how much you want to get married.
4. Include more than one photograph when you decloak. And be honest. If you're not a 5'10", blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty, don't put out a picture like that. Men find the visual aspect much more attractive and remember there is always a lid for every pot. If you post many photos, a man will get a better idea about how you look and whether you are his type before he meets you. This is very important. There's nothing worst than going on a date with someone you dislike or who is less than thrilled with you. Better to put it all out there in as flattering a manner as you can. Then, the man is coming to see you and not some fantasy in his head.
5. If they don't send you their photograph, forget it. He has something to hide. On photos, if he sends you a picture of himself naked or doing something less than polite, forget it. He has too little to hide, and you will wind up in a mess from the door.
6. On most of the online dating services, you have the ability to send only a profile and a picture. This can be done almost automatically with a couple clicks of a button. Take it for what it's worth. If a person only sends you his picture or his profile, he didn't waste too much time or thought on you and he may not be worth a response. If he doesn't have the time to write you an e-mail, it is not worth wasting your time on him.
7. When you do get an email, always wait at least 24 hours (48 is better) before you respond to your prospective date's e-mail. If you respond too quickly, he may get the impression that you are too desperate or that you have too much free time. That is the worst thing you can do. You want to always be "squeezing him in" even if you weren't doing anything but mopping the kitchen floor and doing your nails. If he thinks he can go out with you any time, he'll treat you like you have nothing to do but wait on his phone call.
8. Don't log on to your personal website or answer e-mails on a Friday or Saturday. Watch Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Atlantis. You must give the impression that you are not available, even if you are. So find something else to do besides looking desperate.
9. If a man does not respond, stop e-mailing him. If he is really interested in meeting you, he will contact you and ask you out for a date. If his responses are slow, it means he's not that interested. You are his second choice and not worth bothering with. You want to always be his first choice. A quick response means interest in all things. Ask yourself, when you wanted to buy that new, hot DVD or CD, did you wait around for a couple weeks before making a commitment to purchase? Well, if a number of days pass and there's no email, you aren't the hot DVD.
10. If you exchange numerous emails and there's no commitment to even meet for coffee, you need to rethink where this relationship is going. If you're looking for an email relationship, that's great. This guy is perfect. However, if you want a live date, you need to up the pressure subtly and throw out a hint. Mention that you are going out with friends and consider stopping all communication with him. He'll either get off the fence or go away. Either way - some will, some won't, so what, next!
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