Online Dating: The Rules

In case you're still wondering, yes, online dating is cool. I have been to so many weddings where the bride and groom met online that I have no doubt it's a great way to meet the love of your life. The old stigma of online dating is gone, but the practicalities of making it work still exist. Here are some common sense ideas to consider before you dive into the online dating pool.

1. Where to post your profile or look for potential dates

• Go local
  Unless you're looking for a long-distance relationship, try to limit your searches and postings to local sites. Search your city name plus ‘online dating' and you'll be amazed at the number of resources available. Big online dating services like Match.com and Yahoo! Personals allow you to enter a zip code for personals in your area.
• Go with a common interest or hobby
  You can search by interests on the big sites or search smaller sites that are only geared towards one hobby or passion. For example Fitness Singles has subcategories in everything from bowling to yoga. Religious dating sites like Baptist Friends or Jdate are great if religion is important in your life. Lifestyle dating like a vegetarian dating site, dating sites for smokers, and sites for different sexual orientations are available at almost all the big online dating services.

2. The Profile
You can be the greatest person on the planet, but if your profile or picture don't reflect who you are, you won't get a lot of potential dates.

• Choose your screen name wisely
  Know that your screen name says a lot about you, and will attract (or repel) Mr. or Ms. Right. SexyBaby1234 is going to get a certain type of response—it's the online equivalent of wearing too much makeup and too few clothes, attracting a man who's primarily interested in... well, not your mind. For guys, Insane49erfan reeks of an ESPN-obsessed facepainter who will propose to you during halftime. If you don't want to use a variation on your first name like jennie99, try something mild or meaningless like greenfire, bw4576, or turtle22.
• Have a sense of humor in your profile
  You don't need to come off like a stand-up comedian, but you should try to show that you've got a brain and don't take yourself too seriously.
• Stay positive
  Try not to express any bitterness about previous relationships. Keep your profiles positive and happy. Nobody will attracted to ‘downerguy' who just wants a girl who "won't burn him AGAIN."
• Stick to the reality of who you are
  It's humbling to sum yourself up in a few sentences, but if you can't be honest, it's only going to be harder for you down the line. Write your profile and ask a friend to read it who you think will be honest. If you are lying to yourself so badly that you don't even realize you are off-base, well this blog post won't help.

3. The Picture
Pick out a good picture where you look happy. Don't go all ‘Glamour Shots' with a stuffy posed studio picture or too artsy with the sepia tones or the diffused glow. Avoid the raging party shot that shows you downing a beer bong with a Jagermeister chaser. And, keep all your clothes on unless you want regulars from ‘Candy's Love Shack' emailing you about a deep and meaningful relationship. Need help picking a good shot? Ask a friend, or submit two photos to thefacegame.com so strangers can tell you which they like best.

4. Safety

• Be wary of scams, and keep your personal information private
  Avoid anyone asking for money, seeking too much personal information, or doing or saying anything that makes you feel weird. Trust your instincts, and if you have bad luck or bad instincts with dating (you know who you are), ask a friend what they think.
• Meet in a public place on a first date
  Don't have the date pick you up, stay sober, and tell a friend you'll call them after the date to let them know you're home safely.
• Use a third party email address
  Don't give out your main personal account and definitely not your business account.

Now, go forth, date online, and fall in love!