Monday, June 11, 2007

Online Matchmaking Services: Can They Help Find the Love of Your Life?

Matchmaking can be defined as the process of bringing two people together for the purpose of marriage. The process involves an intermediary or facilitator who acts as the matchmaker.

With more and more people content at letting the Internet play cupid, online matchmaking services keep popping up left, right and center. But can they really help you find the person of your dreams?

And what's the difference between matchmaking and dating? Well, dating does not require marriage as the only end goal. Marriage is the end goal and purpose of matchmaking.

Often a person may be eager to start a family, without having to go through the hassles of dating and courtship, and the commensurate expenditure of precious time. For such a person, a matchmaking service may just be the answer.

Among many other types of matchmaking services available include:

1. Independent matchmakers or "experts"

2. Social networking services

3. Radio station datelines

4. TV matchmaking and dating services

5. Print personal ads and singles publications

6. Speed dating and singles events

7. Online matchmaking services

Of all the above and other methods out there, online matchmaking services may be the best way to go. Why?

Because of internet access, immediacy and anonymity, twenty four hours a day, as well as tools for interactive communication such as Instant Messaging and video chat, not to mention the huge number of available singles.

Plus, online matchmaking services offer the best value in cost. Usually the fee is charged monthly and cancellation is easy. Compare that with per-word newspaper/magazine ads.

How do matchmaking sites work? A true matchmaking site will require you to input lots of details about yourself as well as the type of person you are looking for. This in order to find your most suitable prospect(s), beyond mere physical attributes.

How do you find the right matchmaking service? Being a billion dollar industry that it is today, you can bet on scam and fly-by-night companies to be galore. Well, the answer is TTT (Tried, Tested and True). Always go with a reputable site that also offers a free trial.

Don't be tempted to go with a completely "free" site. Free usually means pay in other ways (like the site selling your information or bombarding you with advertisements).

Can you really meet quality, committed singles online? Many happy couples who have met online say their paths simply would not have crossed had they not met online. And, most are interesting, honest people who are successful in their careers. That they are paying the subscription fee demonstrates their commitment.

Though no guarantees are offered, online matchmaking services can be the fastest, most convenient way to get you connected with your soul mate.

About the author:
David Kamau is webmaster of http://e-datecentral.com, which reviews dating and matchmaking services. Find reputable online matchmaking sites at http://e-datecentral.com/personals/matchmaking.htm

Finding Your Soul Mate with Online Matchmaking Services

Online matchmaking is hot. The continual growth in popularity of online matchmaking services has even some its harshest critics take a step back and say, "Well, looks like it works after all."

Indeed, the advantages of online matchmaking over other tried-and-not-so-true methods of meeting a mate, such as singles bars, blind dates, supermarkets and so on are undeniable and varied. These advantages include:

1. Matching: On many matchmaking sites you answer questions and specify what you are looking for in a mate. You can be very specific as to what you like and dislike, what you must have and what you cannot stand, and anything in between.

2. Convenience: You can search and communicate with prospective candidates at any time of the day or night.

3. Numbers: There are millions of people from whom to choose, of different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions and geographical locations.

4. Interacting: While some people can say the right thing at the right time, some of us get the right ideas long after the fact. In online matchmaking, you have all the time to create opening lines or think up appropriate responses.

Exchanging email, instant/text messages, chatting, and phone calls help further in finding the right match as well as weeding out those who are incompatible to you or with whom you are uncomfortable.

5. Put Your Best Foot Forward: In online matchmaking you can broadcast your best talents and qualities by creating a profile that touches on all the interesting elements that make the real you.

6. Privacy: Online matchmaking services provide easy-to-use features as well as an environment that lets you communicate while maintaining your anonymity. You can remain anonymous until you are ready to reveal more about yourself to the right person.

You also get to check out any number of potential mates without their ever knowing you took a peek.

7. Familiarity: You get to "know" the people who seem promising before meeting in person. This eliminates the awkwardness of first introductions. You also have an idea of what your prospective mate looks like, as you will have exchanged photos.

8. Minimizing risk: Meeting strangers in bars, clubs and other similar places carries an element of risk. Though risk cannot be entirely eliminated in online matchmaking you can maintain safety with caution and commonsense.
The fact that you have been communicating with the person for some time minimizes risk as you already know the person to a certain extent.

All in all, online matchmaking services offer many advantages over other dating methods. A reputable service can offer you a way to meet lots of compatible singles who are also looking for serious partners. Reputable matchmaking sites offer free trials.

About the author :
David Kamau offers objective dating site reviews and online dating tips at his website. Find reputable online matchmaking sites at: Online Matchmaking Services

A Short Guide to Succeeding in Online Matchmaking

Looking for love? When looking to meet the person of your dreams, online dating may just not be enough. What you need is online matchmaking. Just what is online matchmaking?

Matchmaking can be described as a process of introducing two people with a view towards marriage. Online matchmaking is simply matchmaking via technology. How does it work?

A matchmaking site requires one to input lots of details about yourself as well as the type of person you are looking for. This is in order to find your most suitable prospect(s), beyond mere physical attributes.

Advantages of Online Matchmaking

There many advantages to online matchmaking but the top ones are:

1. Numbers: A large and wide network of people all seeking mates. This offers you the best chance of finding someone who is also looking for somebody just like you.

2. Convenience: search for your soul mate any time of day or night, in the privacy of your own home.

Now let’s look at what you need to do in order to find a soul mate online.

Getting Started

In order to succeed in finding your soul mate online, you need to compile six lists. These six lists will help you come up with a lively, attention-grabbing profile.

Not only that, but this will also help make answering online matchmaking questionnaires much easier. The six lists are as follows:

1. Things you must: these are things that your partner must have (personality-wise as opposed to material-wise) in order for you to be happy with him/her.

2. Things that would be nice to have but you can do without. You know, are the icings on the cake.

3. Things you cannot stand (your “no-no’s”). These are characteristic that you absolutely will not tolerate.

4. Your endearing characteristics and attributes.

5. Your activities, interests and hobbies.

6. Things you must improve in yourself.

A look into your lifestyle and activities will help you come up with the above lists. If necessary, enlist the help of a close friend or relative. This might seem to be a lot of work, but it is well worth the effort. Remember it is your soul mate that you seek.

Another way to come up with a list of things that you want or don’t want in a partner is to take a look at your past relationships. What are the things that you really liked? These are things you want. What did you not like or what made the relationship(s) flop? What characteristics caused problems in the past? These are the things you want to avoid.

Once your six lists, you are now ready to begin searching for your soul mate. The best route is through a reputable online matchmaking site. Not to be confused with a general dating site, a matchmaking site is tailored towards serious relationships.

Types of Online Matchmaking Sites

There are, basically, two types of matchmaking sites:

1. Those that do the matching for you. You cannot view other members’ profiles. They inform you when a compatible match has been found. With this type, you have little control over whom you get matched with. Some of the most successful matchmaking sites operate this way.

2. Those that do the matching for you as well as let you do the searching. With these, you have more control and flexibility, though this does not necessarily guarantee greater success.

Which Type of Matchmaking Site?

It is not the place of this article to tell you which type of online matchmaking site to go for: that is a personal decision. But you cannot compromise on the quality of the site as you would be compromising on the quality of your love.

In this day and age of quick fixes, some people expect to sign up with a matchmaking site today and find the person of their dreams tomorrow. This is possible, but unlikely. Patience is a virtue.

Expect to communicate and meet with several prospects before finding the right one. It might take days, it might take weeks, or it might take months. It’s all worth it if you finally nail “the one”, don’t you think?

Now don’t waste time. The sooner you start your search, the sooner you’ll be able to find him or her. Find a reputable online matchmaking site and sign up for a free trial today.

About the author:

David Kamau offers objective dating site reviews and online dating tips at his website. Find reputable online matchmaking sites at: Online Matchmaking Services