Online Date

For people over 40, going online is sort of like going to Mars.

People say, “It’s going to be scary! Who’s out there?”

Who’s out there? Millions of single people over 40 just like you!

Are you looking for new friends, casual companionship or a lifetime partner? In your 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s when seeking sex or love, you will need to be as diverse as possible in your search. And social relationships are significantly reduced as you leave the workplace and enter your 70’s and 80’s. Yet, medical studies consistently show that satisfying the desire for companionship is key to maintaining good health as you age.

Looking for sex or love is a lot like looking for a job. When you are looking for a job, you work your personal networks, business connections, and online resources. A successful search often involves utilizing an integrated approach. It is smart to take the same approach when you are trying to meet more members of the opposite sex over 40 in the datedom.

More singles Are Online Than You Ever Thought Probable.

100 million people are single, and 40% of them are online. The fastest-growing segment of online daters is people over fifty. Part of this is because some of the most successful sites are niche. Even on the large sites, the more successful you are at defining what you want, the better, easier, and more successful your search is going to be.

The Online Dating Space Contains a World of Smaller Universes.

Join a niche-dating site, a place tailored to your age and interests. The world of online dating is filled with mega sites with millions of members but you may become discouraged when you find they are not looking at your profile or for you. Check out the smaller universe membership sites designed to match people who look like you with other singles who share your interests and experiences. It is much easier to make connections in a community where you have something in common with the other residents. On your typical mass site where everyone is under 35, you don’t belong there. Everyone knows you don’t belong there. It is not designed for you, and the blog topics and poll questions are not for you either. Those are not your people. You need to go where your people are.

Have an Online Dating Buddy.

When you are creating your personal profile, have someone close to you review it before you publish it. And if you are not internet savvy, try to have your BFF, your son or daughter – someone who knows how to work all the buttons help you make sure you put everything in the right place.

Bounce ideas off that person so that you don’t end up with a profile that just says, “I like to walk my dog in the park.” Your closest admirers know what they like best about you, and why others will enjoy your company. They will remind you that, “Actually, you don’t really like walking on the beach. You’re always complaining about how cold it is out there.” Or maybe “I know you really like motorcycles and once met Steve McQueen, but I don’t really think you should put that in your profile.”

Netrookie seeks Tech Head.

Getting familiar with the latest technological tools, for many people is like going down a rabbit hole. You begin by creating your online profile, and then it ends at dating by Skype or who knows where on your Blackberry. Your level of interest and familiarity with all of these tools might turn out to be one of the drivers of your online date search.

If you are not technologically savvy, you might not enjoy being in a relationship with someone whose keyboard is always only a fingertip away. Or it may spark a completely new love of the net life. Just be realistic about your comfort level and interest in all things digital. Ease of communication is a determining factor in the success of any relationship: be it casual or committed.

Ask for What You Want.

In person, it could be very off-putting to walk up to a person and say, “Ok, I want to be in a serious long-term relationship in a year from now.” Online you can communicate dating goals by a click of your mouse: friendship, casual sex, dating, and long-term relationship are all on the menu. Online dating sites allow you to take advantage of the fact that you are mature and you know what you want in a relationship. Here, on the screen, potential partners can read all about exactly what you want. If that is not what they want, they can move on. There is nothing wrong with saying who you are and asking for what you want here. In fact, that is one of the best parts about online dating.

The First Date Is Not A Date.

When you connect offline with your online pen pal, your first offline meeting is not a date. It is a meet to establish whether you would like to go out on a date. Don’t confuse the two. The best policy is to agree to meet for a 20-minute coffee break. This gives the two of you enough time to establish whether there is any physical chemistry or tangible compatibility to proceed further without investing a lot of time or money. You can confirm that he is who he says he was in his profile but don’t go playing investigative journalist.

DATE MORE CHALLENGE: What is the worst thing that could happen if you started online dating? Everyone knows someone who knows someone who met online. Who are the Match.com success stores in your network?