Set For Marriage Blog Relationship advice from the experts at SetForMarriage.com

You Had Me at Hello?

Most first messages sent on dating sites go unanswered, so how can you beat the odds and get a response?  Most online daters receive numerous emails from potential suitors, so your message needs to stand out in the crowd.  Follow these tips to ensure that the object of your desire replies to you.

1.  Ask a question in the message title, such as “How’s it going?” or “What did you think of the Astros game?” if they say they are a fan in their profile.  People are more likely to respond if someone asks them a question.  “Hello” and “Hi, I’m Sam” just don’t grab someone’s attention in a sea of emails.
2. Don’t put too much emphasis on how attractive the person looks in their profile photo.  These comments don’t trigger further conversation, and the woman with the striking green eyes has already been told thousands of times how beautiful her eyes are.
3. Comment on a hobby or other information from their profile, like how you share their interest in surfing or theater.  This gives them a topic to explore in their reply to your message.
4. Use correct spelling and grammar, and avoid writing shorthand that is used in many online chat conversations.  Read your message out loud before hitting the send button to make sure your sentences makes sense.