^{Dating Online}

^{Introduction to Online Dating}

The first thing you should know about introductions in dating websites is that its a good idea to take a little time to respond to an interested person. Just like flirting in person, you don't want to go overboard and "attack" a total stranger with your bone crushingly perfect email introduction. Responding within a couple of hours of their interest will make you look desperate, even a bit creepy.

If you're responding to another person's interest, you have a couple of days to think about what you want to say and how to say it. If, on the other hand, you're writing to someone whose profile you've seen and makes YOU interested, rejoice -- you have even more time to work on your email. Of course, balance is the key -- don't wait too long, especially before writing to a new interest. Remember that other members of the same website can see the profile that interested you, and someone will likely earm that person's interest first.

Approach your intro letter as if it were a business letter or a college essay -- something important that is worth spending time on. You want to send something polished. You don't want to sound like an idiot, and you must be sure to put your best foot forward.

On the other hand, the examples above are usually kind of impersonal letters, full of factual information about you. This isn't the direction you want to head. Instead, you should express some interest in the person, and it is best if this is disguised with humor. You need to reveal facts and values about yourself, again cloaked in humor or slight self deprecation, but the point is -- be interesting.