1. Plan in advance

What’s your purpose of meeting people online? Are you just looking at spending some time entertaining yourself in chat rooms? Or looking for someone to go out with in the weekends? Or a one night stand? Trying your luck at meeting your prince charming or Ms Right?

2. Check with your friends

You will find all sorts of people in chat rooms who are looking for a little bit of fun just like you. Ask your friends what sites gave them a good experience and get them to recommend some. At least you could count on positive recommendations rather than signing up for some random chat service.

3. Take your time, don’t rush!

You will have to spend a little bit of time in chat rooms and exchanging emails with the person whom you just met online or chat via the telephone before committing to meet them in person offline. You only agree to meet them once you feel comfortable to do so.

4. Learn to speak the truth!

Although it’s just online, be honest. Never make up a fantasy profile or post someonelse’s photo as your own to impress the other party. Don’t even lie about who you are, the truth is always the best if you want to have a good online dating experience.

5. Organize and prioritize

The advantage of online dating is you get to select the type of people that you would like to get in touch with.  You could easily browse through a selection of profiles online and then start corresponding with them at the initial stages to get the ball rolling.  If for any reason, it did not meet your expectations, you could start looking at new profiles again.

6. Stop! Don’t believe everything you see or read

Most of the time, people like to blag about themselves too much to impress that it may sound too good to be true.  If that is the case, there is no harm in checking to verify their claims.

7. Etiquette in chat room

Be polite, respectful and courteous.  People tend to think that they are invincible when they chat online.  Only say what you mean and do not mislead the other person.

8. Online dating service as an option

Paid online dating services may be worthwhile since they would provide you a better service at helping you find your match since you paid good money to sign up for their services.

9. Be available

Online dating has a quick turnaround time.  You are expected to provide quick responses in a timely fashion.  Failure to which may cause your potential date to lose interest.  So access to the internet is a must.

10. Your safety first

The time will come when you’ve gained enough confidence to meet your online date OFFLINE. It’s best to meet up at some place neutral and public.  Make sure you travel separately.  That way, you get to keep things under your control should things not work out the way you expected them to be on your date.

When the year starts, many singles opt to join online dating sites, more than ever before. At least they get a chance for a fresh start. You will find that you are spoilt for choice at the number of dating sites available to you. You may already have an online dating profile but that should not stop you from getting into new territory with starting with a new dating site. With the start of the New Year, make sure you update your profile and upload new profile photos. Going so will make you a new fresh face on the internet dating scene. You should be aware that potential daters online look out for authenticity in your profile.

With the New Year, be on the lookout for speed dating events hosted by online dating sites. This is a great way to meet new faces and the best thing about it is that the pressure is minimised because you only spend a few minutes with each potential date and you will have a wide choice. It is best to make other resolutions for the New Year which will form part of the standard list for things to achieve. You can include dieting or getting a gym membership which will help to make you feel a lot better. Boost your confidence and it will be the first thing that is noticed as you meet new people.

Get into the New Year with a fresh look and aim to make 2010 to be the best ever year for your dating. It’s the New Year coming, make yourself available to all the options open to you, open your heart and get into the dating game.