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5 New Dating Sites With A Unique Spin

Dawg — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:29:15 +0000

The Internet dating scene is evolving. New dating sites are coming up virtually daily. But most if not all the new personals sites are not just another dating site; they add a unique twist. After all, you don't compete with a mega dating site with a mega reputation to go with it, such as Match.com, by trying to be the same.

Interesting, not long ago it was thought that the arrival of free dating sites would kill off the big guys that charge a membership fee to help people find love online. I am one of those who held the view that it was not going to happen. Free is rarely good, and those who want quality would rather pay a nominal fee for better service and features than get free and mediocre service.

Not only that but also, some of the free sites have since started offering paid "premium" memberships. Yet others have died out or have been taken over by the bigger paid services.

It is amazing, the concepts for new dating sites that they are coming up with. It is not just about niche dating; it is that plus a unique spin. Here are some excerpts from a post about some of the new additions to the online dating scene:

5 New Sites That Will Get You Lucky
1. Best Concept: HowAboutWe (400,000 dates posted. $28 per month)
Childhood friends and founders Brian Schechter and Aaron Schildkrout wanted to create a dating site that shifted the focus back to what’s really important -- the date. The result is one of the fastest growing sites in the scene. Instead of worrying about fancy algorithms or flashy profiles, members make their mark by proposing dates starting with three simple words: “how about we…”
2. Best Elite Site: Sparkology (Service has not opened to general public yet. Women: $15/month; Men: $15 for 5 women)
In Sparkology, founder Alex Furmansky looks to filter out many of the negative aspects of online dating -- dead accounts, fake profiles, spam -- by taking a more exclusive approach with a focus on service and quality
3. Best Mainstream Site: OKCupid (7 million members. Basic service: Free; Premium: $9.95/month)
While OKCupid has been around since 2004, it’s begun to make more of a name for itself in recent years, most notably due to a series of viral blog posts both criticizing the big players like Match.com and illuminating dating trends by mining its vast amount of user data.

4. Best Alternative: Ignighter (2 million members. $10 to $45/year)
Group activity takes the pressure off. That’s the idea behind Ignighter, which allows groups of friends to collaborate on a group profile. The site then suggests a list of possible matches and helps arrange group outings
5. Most Buzzed About: Meexo (TBD)
Meexo isn’t out yet, but it’s an exciting look at what the future brings. The startup launched at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in Sept. and is part of a new breed of mobile-centric dating apps.
See Online Dating Matures for the full story (Above-quoted are excerpts)

Site #3 above, OkCupid, is one of the sites that were previously free. In fact, it has gone from paid to free to paid again (or semi-paid). It is also one of those that have been taken over by the big guys, having been acquired by Match.com. Funny, that it would be criticizing big sister. Well, just like in my family.

What You Need To Know About The Different Dating Sites

Many articles, including well-researched and well- written ones as the above-quoted, tend to lump large dating sites together as though they are all the same. They are not.

You see, while Match.com and FriendFinder.com may appear the same, they serve a completely different clientele and even purpose. Match serves are more serious clientele that may be seeking serious relationships (but not necessarily marriage). FriendFinder serves a younger clientele that may be seeking fun dates.

eHarmony, Perfect Match and Chemistry, while appearing to be a mainstream dating site, are really matchmaking services. This means that they serve people who are seeking spouses or long-term relationships. The three also have certain subtle differences that we are not going into go into here.

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Video: The Best Cities To Find Love Online

Dawg — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:17:34 +0000

Online dating may be global, but there are cities that engage in this realm more than others. Want to know what cities are best to find love online? Well, just watch the following video (may takes a few seconds to appear):

Courtesy: Forbes™

Click Here To Check Out Best Dating Sites Online

Using Online Dating To Find Your Soulmate

Dawg — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:44:31 +0000

She Used An Online Dating Site To Find The Love Of Her Life

When internet dating first started, it was not that well-received. Many dismissed it as a dating method for losers and geeks. How things have changed. If you have been thinking of joining an online dating site, or already have and hoping to find your soulmate, you are on the right track. Many today are finding love on the web. Like the person in the following story.

I am not here to endorse one online dating site over another or to advocate the process. But after a series of false hopes, false starts and the occasional falsehood, the Internet ultimately sent me what I like to call "the last great guy."
What is this thing called Match.com? Is it a lucky tumbling of algorithms that align themselves in perfect romantic formation, like the stars? Is it merely random? Is it to be trusted?
One thing is certain: It is popular.
According to a 2009-10 study by Match.com and the research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, 17 percent of couples that married in the previous three years — 1 in 6 — met their mates through an online dating site. And Match, the oldest of the lot (it was started in 1995) is not at all shy about proclaiming itself the most successful.
Since John and I found one another, we have learned of many other couples, including friends here in Richmond, who found their partners in this manner. What accounts for this proliferation of digital dating?
For starters, consider that the divorce rate for first marriages in the United States is 50 percent, then add widows and widowers into the mix. It's no wonder there are so many fish in the online dating sea — and so many baby boomers among them.
In the past five years, the fastest-growing demographic for Match.com is the 50-and-older age group, said Amy Canaday of the site's public relations office. As of the second quarter of 2011, Match has more than 1.6 million subscribers, she said. See original story

Now, I am not endorsing Match.com either, as the right dating site for one person is not necessarily so for another. But the good thing about Match.com is that it does a good job of bridging the gap between a dating site and a matchmaking site. What is the difference?

Well, the difference between a dating site and a matchmaking site is that a dating site is just that; a dating site. You post a personal profile hoping that someone will find you interesting and then browse other people's profiles who too are hoping that you will find theirs interesting. If and when a connection is made, you hope that the two of you will click.

As for a matchmaking site, it is made for people seeking serious relationships or marriage. It is personality-based, and in most cases will do the matching for you based on your personality as opposed to physical attributes. Match.com can allows you to find matches as well as finding matches for you.

The quoted article goes on to offer tips for online dating success. I like that the writer is speaking from firsthand experience and has gone through the usual ups and downs. None is in a better position to give you advice about how to find your soulmate online than one who has "been there, done that". In fact, just like many others out there, she almost gave up trying to find a soulmate online. Thankfully, she did not. And neither should you. But keep your eyes open, as you still can find your soulmate outside the realm of Internet dating.

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Finding Love Online – You Might Be Shooting Yourself In The Foot

Dawg — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:34:33 +0000

You Could Unknowingly Be Reducing Your Chances Of Finding Love Online!

One of the best aspects of online dating can also be its worst. In fact, if you are trying to find love online you might need to look out for this one. What is it?

Well, it is the ability to be specific about what you want. Conversely, it can also be the ability to eliminate what you do not want. This can be limiting and could actually stop your from meeting the love of your life. Let me explain.

Jen is an attractive 28 year old professional woman. She seems to have all that a woman would want, except one thing, a boyfriend. For some reason, men run away from her. Perhaps they are intimidated by her independence and/or her looks. But that's not the point here. Jen recently signed up with an online dating service.

Jen is also madly in love with one man, Stephan, in her department. He is good-looking, witty, smart and funny among other endearing things. She has not garnered enough courage to let him know. She is also scared of the awkwardness that would follow if he turned her down (she is not the only one who wants Stephan). Yet, if the two were on the same dating site, they would never meet. Why?

You see, Stephan is 5 feet 10 inches tall. In her profile, Jen says she wants a man who is at least 6 feet tall! When browsing site, she only looks at profiles of men who her at least 6 feet. Talk of shooting yourself in the foot.

An article on Psychology Today, today talks about this and other issues that may be negatively impacting your ability to find love:

Online dating The last point above suggests a problem with online dating seen from the approach of wei wu wei (at least my interpretation of it): while online dating can be a fantastic tool for meeting new people, it seems that it excessively narrows down the pool of people you're likely to meet. In addition to the various selection algorithms they use (again, see here), I think that introducing some randomization to the people sites recommend to you would be healthy. Rather than giving you a list of people specifically tailored to your selected preferences (or those revealed through behavior), it might introduce you to a person you may never have thought of as a potential date but nonetheless may be surprised by.
Of course, there are some things that you can safely know you definitely do not want in a person: some people won't date a smoker, for instance, and someone allergic to cats definitely doesn't want to meet a cat owner. But it's harder to be sure that you won't like someone just because he or she is a fan of sports, or heavy metal fan, or Twilight (OK, the last one may be safe to rely upon). And it's just as hard to be sure that you have a better chance of liking someone because they share any of these interests with you; common interests are great, of course, helping a couple enjoy shared activities and conversations, but they're not everything, and you may find that you have an amazing connection with someone with completely different interests from yours. See the original story.

You can easily get around the problem of being too restrictive or too relaxed when try to find a date online. In one of our posts on how to succeed in finding love online, we ask that you make the following lists:

Things you must have: be careful with this one. As the example of Jen above, it can run counter to your interests.
Things that are good to have: These are things that you like but can still do without if someone meets your other criteria.
Things you can't stand: Smoking could be one of them, just for example.

Having the above three links could help you find that someone special without eliminating too many potential partners (or even soul mates). Remember there really is no such thing as a perfect match. Love takes effort to make it work. What you want is to reduce the amount of effort (you don't want a piece of work!). If you liked this article please re-tweet or share it with your friends on Facebook.

Tips For Finding A Soul Mate: It’s Not Impossible!

Dawg — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:26:29 +0000

Finding a Soul Mate - Just Where, And How, Do You Begin To Look For the Ideal Mate?

Another Saturday night, another evening in front of the television or computer. While there’s nothing wrong with spending quite time alone, there’s also nothing worse than wanting to be with someone and feeling isolated. Finding a soul mate is a basic desire that most everyone wants to have fulfilled at some point in their life.

We all believe there is someone special out there just for us. And guess what, we are right. It doesn't matter whether you are short or tall, fat or thin, athletic or not… someone out there thinks you are the best thing on earth.

How many times have you heard someone ask "What does he/she see in that man/woman?" Love can be baffling. And that is a good thing. It means your path and your perfect mate's just have not met, yet. Finding a soul mate is about paths crossing. However, you should not just sit back and wait for it to happen. Try to make it happen.

But How Do You Go About Finding A Soul Mate?

Where do we go to meet people who share our interests? School is certainly a smorgasbord of eligible, single men and women. If you’re still in college there are many ways to meet people, from starting a conversation in class to joining a club that interests you.

If you work in a large workplace, there are usually opportunities to meet and mingle with other singles. Dating at work, however, is against company policy in some businesses, and just a bad idea in others. What happens if the relationship goes bad? You may have to see and work with an ex every day; not pleasant.

If you’re a parent, you can meet other single parents through your child’s school or activities. Even better, you can sign up with a single parent dating service. For those whose religion or culture is against dating, matrimonial websites exist that help in finding marriage partners. Others seeking marriage partners, proceed to matchmaking services as they are designed for just that.

In fact, If you want to really expand your dating horizons and increase chances of finding your soul mate, utilize online dating. This is where you will find lots of people from all walks of life, and who are actively looking for love. That is exactly what you need.

What Is Online Dating And How Can It Help In Finding A Soul Mate?

With virtually everyone having access to a computer these days, online dating has become a popular way to meet people. The best dating sites are easy to navigate and have a large user base, so you will have an extensive list of potential singles to choose from. They will guide you step-by-step in setting up your profile, give you hints on how to attract the perfect date, as well as offer safety tips and other advice.

Finding a soul mate can be fun and relatively easy with online dating. Here is how to make your online dating experience particularly successful:

Post a flattering, clear, recent photo. Have one made professionally if possible. Don’t think you will attract more people by posting an old photo; you will both be embarrassed on your first date.
Follow the safety suggestions and don’t give out too much personal information until you get to know your date.
Loosen up and enjoy the dating experience. Finding a soul mate will be easier if you are relaxed and happy.

Don't forget that choice of dating service matters. Start by signing up for a free trial with a good matchmaking site if you are serious about finding a soul mate. This way, you can test the site out before committing. Happy soul mate hunting!

How Busy People Can Find A Soul Mate

Dawg — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000

For people whose lives are hectic and overly busy, it sometimes can feel like meeting that special someone is nearly impossible. There's not a lot of time in most people's schedules to hang out at coffee shops or bookstores waiting to come across someone you will have chemistry or shared interests with. Going to dance clubs and movies is fun to do with friends, but chances are slim that you will find a soul mate there. The question becomes how to meet someone you really like and could possibly have a future with when you don't have a lot of time to look for him or her.

Think About Joining Activities-Based Singles Groups

Singles groups are typically formed by people who have similar interests and who are all looking for the same thing: to find someone who could be the love of their life. There are dating clubs for nearly every interest. They include people who enjoy things like boating, or skiing, or golfing, and happen to be single. In many cities, there are singles groups based on lots of varied activities, from cooking to reading to wine tasting. Joining one of these groups is smart. You will get to do things you love with people who are also looking to enhance their romantic lives.

Make The Most Of Your Online Time

By now you know that dating websites are one of the major ways that people looking for love find one another. Everyone has heard success stories, and most of us have also heard horror stories. The truth is, if you are looking for more than a casual dating experience and want to find a soul mate, you need to maximize what you do online.

Consider joining a web dating service you actually pay for. Paid services generally attract people who are sincerely interested in finding true and lasting love and are willing to pay for it. It's just like a health club in that if you are paying for it, you will take it more seriously. Finding someone online is likely to be a better overall experience if you use a website focused on matching soulmates. Spending a little money on a membership is a good investment.

Remember, finding true love happens even for very busy people. You never know if your soul mate is right around the corner, or a click of the mouse away!

A Few Suggestions On Where To Find Love

Dawg — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Many people want to know where to find love. There are many different places that this can happen. Let's look into it a bit more in depth now.

Online dating is a popular option people tend to look into at nowadays. For those seeking marriage or long-term relationships, there are websites that offer matchmaking services. Look through some of them and you will see that many people are using these to find love. Your soulmate just might be on one such website.

Grocery stores are another place that can often have that special person in it. Maybe the young man or woman that is running the cash register puts a sparkle in your eye. This could be a perfect opportunity to break the ice as you will be spending some time packing up the groceries that you have bought.

Other people have found that going to singles events can help them find that special person. Keep in mind that finding someone that you are compatible with on levels other than the fact that you are single is something you will have to look for.

Single events include speed dating. As the name suggests, this is dating on steroids. You get to meet dozens of potential partners in a short period of time. This is subject of a different article by itself.

Friends and family members are another way a lot of people have found the love of their life. The people that are close to you can sometimes see things from a different perspective, which makes it easier for them to be able to match you up with a person. Many people all over the world have found their soul mate in this manner.

School is also a good place to find people that have common interests as you, whether it be through your own educational pursuits or those of your children. There is a common element here between the people you meet that can makes it easier to develop a friendship, which in turn can turn into love.

Single parents should also know that there are single parent dating sites specializing in this niche. If you want to meet a gorgeous single mom or dad, this is where to go.

These are only a few suggestions regarding where to find love. There are many more ideas that can be found through reading articles relating to this subject on the internet. Taking some time to do so can help give you some worthwhile ideas, as well as tips for internet dating if you want to try this route. This blog is dedicated to this very subject.

Where To Meet Singles For Love and Fun In This Day And Age

Dawg — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:39:21 +0000

If you are single and on the market like many of the men and women, then you need to know the top ways and areas as to where to meet singles. Many people who are in the same boat. All you need is to look in all the right places.

The first place that many will say you should go is singles' websites. There are a number of them for singles just like you to meet other singles. May be too many, to a point where it can be overwhelming. Therefore, you need a way to narrow the field down.

Many of the available dating services are broken down by categories and interests they serve, which can make it easier for you. There are many people who have used these and have found them to be very easy to use, and said this was their wisest decision. Of course, the general mega dating sites serve virtually all interests.

Coffee shops are becoming popular for people to meet singles. No, scratch that out, they have always been extremely popular. Many if not all bookstores now have coffee shops. Many singles love them. They say that this is so because you can learn about what a person likes by what they read. If you are looking for an intellectual person to maybe fall in love with, this might be something to consider.

Something else to consider is speed dating. They say that normally within a few minutes of meeting someone and asking very few questions, you can learn if you and a person are going to hit it off or not. This is the idea behind speed dating: you get only a few minutes to ask them everything you want to ask several singles and then at the end of this, you turn in a list of those you would like to get to know. If two names correspond, there is a match.

Cruises are another place where many are going. They have all sorts of singles' cruises out there. There are gay and lesbian cruises. There are cougar cruises. You name it and they have it. You get to travel and vacation while you also get to find some eye candy and maybe the right one for yourself. So, this is just another possibility that you have.

Another place some go in to find singles would be church. Many churches have Bible studies and other events for singles. They do this for singles as they recognize that even Christians should never be alone. They single Christians get to meet people who believe in the same spiritual force as themselves. So, here is another idea for you.

These are just a few of the places that people go to find potential partners. There are other places as well. You might be able to find that person you were waiting for by trying out some of these different locations. The important this is to be proactive and not just leave it fate to bring you your prince or princess charming.

Now, go out there and start looking.

Find Love and Romance Online – Some Tips to Put You On the Right Track

Dawg — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:07:24 +0000

Internet has become part of many people's lives. More and more people find their soul mates on the internet. You can meet men and women around the world with ease. However, there are some tips you need if you want to find love and romance online.

There are many places to meet people to date. You can meet your soul mate through forums, chat rooms, or social networking sites. However, the best place to find a date is to use online dating site services. Why?

Because online dating services are made for just that, dating. Social networking is not dating. Chatting is not dating or about dating though it is a part of it. Forums are not dating services and it can take an awfully long time to establish a meaningful conversation on a forum.

People on real dating sites are also looking for romance like you. They are there for that purpose, not just to while away time.

There are many dating sites available. You can choose general dating sites or dating sites that are targeted to a certain group of people, such as a Christian dating site, Muslim dating site, big women dating site, dog lovers dating site or other similar sites.

You need to choose a site that is most suitable for you. If you are looking for people from certain country, race, or religion, then sites which focus on certain group of people are better for you. However, if you do not have particular group of people in mind, you can use general dating site where you can meet a lot of people from various backgrounds.

But if you're looking for a serious relationship with a view to the long term or marriage, your path should lead to matchmaking sites. These sites are personality based. An example is eHarmony, which boasts the highest number of marriages on the web. You can check out eHarmony Promotional Code to get a free personality profile.

There are free and paid dating sites, both with advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of paid dating sites include stricter moderation and better privacy. Also, it reduces the chance of spam and scams.

After you have found a dating site you like, you need to sign up and fill in the profile. Make sure you complete your profile and upload your pictures. When browsing other profiles make sure to fill in as many search preference as possible so you will be able to find people who match your preference easily. Some sites have profile alert option. They will send you email if there are new members with profiles that match your preferences.

You search and contact people who interest you. You also might also receive correspondence from people who are interested in you. Be active and proactive. Don't just sit waiting for Mr. or Ms Right to show up. Finding love and romance is a two-way traffic.

Never give out your personal information until you know them better. It is best that you communicate through the sites until you are certain about the person's sincerity.

There are many scammers who build relationships only to ask for money later on or to ask you to receive items from them. Never send money or agree to receive something from strangers. The items might be stolen or illegal items.

Trust your instinct. If you feel something is not right, it probably is. Report any suspected scammers to the site moderators so they can investigate and possibly ban that person. It is not hard to find love and romance online once you know how to go about it.

Next, you should look for a dating site that fits your personality and interests when seeking love and romance online. Check out top 10 dating sites of various interests now.

Tips for Internet Dating: Find Love Online with These Simple Guidelines

Dawg — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:06:58 +0000

If you, like so many of us, are looking for love without as much luck as you would like, perhaps you are considering online dating. After all, the opportunities to enroll in such a site are ubiquitous, and many promise fantastic results. So if you do make that investment of your time and money, here are a few tips for internet dating.

First and foremost, make sure you're dealing with a reputable dating service before joining. As in any investment for your money, read the fine print before you sign the dotted line (or well, before hitting the Submit button).

Many sites offer a free trial as well as money back guarantees and such, and this indicates a great stability and reliability. Do your homework before you decide to pay to play.

The next item to consider is your profile. This is where you will be showcasing yourself with potential mates, so it is vital you do a good job with it. Some people don't like "selling" themselves but think about this; you still have to do it in real life. When you go out looking your best, that's what you're doing. Ditto when you put your best personality forward in front of the right person.

Most sites will offer you guidelines to filling out the forms and writing dating profile essays, so follow them. They know what works and what does not, so take the offered advice for better results.

When filling out the information data, the most important thing honest. Do not, for example, claim to be six foot tall when you are only five nine. Do you think your date will not notice when you meet? Be honest about your income, too, which is another sensitive issue. The bottom line is that a liar is not going to be a good partner, period.

And do post a recent picture of yourself, too. It has been proven time and time again that those who post photos have much better results. Again, honesty counts. Do not post photos that show you to be ten years younger and twenty pounds lighter. This is another lie that will be immediately found out when you meet.

Then, go ahead and put yourself out there with boldness. If you see someone that looks attractive to you, make the first move. Use the chat feature, or send a quick note. Going online and waiting for them to come to you will not likely work out too well. Just like in the real world, confidence is the most attractive thing going for any of us.

And please, be patient. It takes time to meet the right person in the first place, let alone for a relationship to develop. So take your time, look at many profiles, and go ahead and reach out to the ones you like. What if you get no response? Just keep on being honest and open to romance, and it will find you. Just follow these simple tips for internet dating and it may happen soon for you.

Signing up with the right dating service is crucial to your success in finding the right person online. Check out top 10 dating sites now.