How to Turn an Online Match into an Offline Relationship
Thanks to technology, it’s not uncommon for most of us to try online dating. That’s why it is almost impossible to meet someone who is not trying to find a love interest online. There are many dating apps and dating websites that can help you find your soulmate.
But how to turn your online match into an offline relationship? Follow this guide to know more.
Best Tips to Turn an Online Match into an Offline Relationship
Post the Right Pictures
Most people indeed judge us by our pictures alone. However, posting your best pictures is one of the best ways to capture your date’s attention. Make sure there are no group photos or blurry pictures that fail to show your features or personality.
Here are some tips for your dating profile pictures.
- Add solo shots
- Mirror selfies are a big no
- Show a few pictures with your pet (if any)
- If you are a guy, post a picture playing football or any sport you like
- What you Should Not Post
- Too many beach pictures
- Party photos in which you appear drunk
- Pictures with your exes
Write an Impressive Bio
You may get lucky and receive plenty of matches even if you have a lame bio. But if you look back on these matches, you can quickly tell what kind of people you attract. The truth is you must up your game if you are looking for a long-term and meaningful relationship outside the online world.
The best way to write an impressive bio is to mention the highlights. Focus on the interests, personality, and kind of people you are looking for on a dating website/app.
Put your best foot forward and keep your profile upbeat. That’s the key to starting a successful conversation. Don’t add any serious stuff that you can add later. Instead, end your bio with a challenge, question, or something that kickstarts the convo.
Don’t Get Addicted to Swiping
When will you start investing in a relationship if you keep swiping? First, you must end the ‘swiping’ game whether you swipe left or right. Then, pay attention to the profiles you come across and initiate contact. Finally, check out each profile and look for the things you want in your potential match.
The bio and pictures can tell you a lot about the other person. Unfortunately, scammers may take advantage of every opportunity to trick you into a scam. For example, some dating profiles have pictures and nice personal ads like craigslist that look straight out of Shutterstock. Beware these pictures and Google them to see if the user took them from a royalty-free website.
Shortlist Your Potential Dates
After successfully matching many people, it’s time to shortlist your list. That’s when things become tricky. How can you decide if the person you find attractive will be equally lovely in the real world?
You can determine how genuine or sincere a person is by judging the quality of their messages. For example, what is the kind of language they are using? What are the questions they are asking? Are they spamming you with too many questions?
On the contrary, some people like to keep a low profile. Holding on to them and waiting for them to open is tempting. However, it’s better to move on if they don’t seem excited to respond to your queries.
Exchange a few messages with every match before you can finally move them into the ‘not applicable’ category.
Expect a Few Disappointments
Many times, you feel you’ve finally found your dream match online. But as soon as you take things offline, things turn ugly. That’s because what seems attractive online can be the opposite in the real world. We suspect it’s because we can’t identify an individual’s body language, facial expression, or voice tone online.
People usually make assumptions and tend to idealize their first date, irrespective of who they are. Therefore, don’t worry if you experience a few heartbreaks before turning an online connection into an offline relationship.
Don’t Prolong an Online Fling
Another way to nurture an online relationship is to take it offline after six months or even a year of communicating online. That’s because if you prolong it for no apparent reason, the chemistry will fizzle out. Some prefer taking the relationship offline within two weeks of the first message. However, it’s better to give it some to know if you both are a match made in heaven.
Do Your Homework
When you come across someone online, running a background check before meeting them in person is essential. Don’t forget to conduct a little background research and run the necessary checks to see if your date has any criminal history. Local and state websites can easily find this information, which provides quick and easy access to any criminal records.
Some people may even go so far as to hire a private detective. But in most cases, conducting an online search is all you need to know about the person.
Take Precautions
Again, before you plan a meeting with your online match, here are some steps you can take besides running a background check.
Here are some precautions you can take to reduce risks:
- Don’t exchange numbers too soon
- Before you go on a date with someone for the first time, inform your friends or family, so someone is waiting for you.
- Choose a public place for the initial dates.
- Design a backup plan to leave early if the other person looks suspicious
- Skip riding home with your date after the first meetup
Final Thoughts
While some of the best free dating apps and websites offer built-in security features to keep devious dates and prying eyes away, use only the best and most popular dating platforms, and don’t trust a new website that looks too good.
Sign-up for a dating website that runs background checks and features only verified profiles. That way, you can smoothly transition from an online date to an offline relationship.