Cyber Love Story of the Week – Jesse and Curtis
On the one-year anniversary of the online dating site Cupidtino, where Apple enthusiasts, find each other, we’re happy to share one of their success stories, Jesse and Curtis.
Jesse, a woman from Northern California had initially emailed Curtis when he was in Palm Springs, CA. She noticed he was in the military and asked him what there was to do in Palm Springs in her initial email. After a few weeks, Jesse gave Curtis her personal email address so they could communicate off the site. He asked for her phone number and began communicating with her regularly.
Their first date was at a Starbucks, where they met in the middle with their MacBooks in tow. They continued their date for the weekend wine tasting, visiting Hearst Castle, and their love affair began.
After eight months from when they first started communicating, including the time when Curtis was stationed in Japan, he was discharged and moved to Silicon Valley to be with his sweetheart.
Congratulations to Jesse and Curtis, our Cyber Love Story of the Week, who kept their love of Apple at the top of the list while looking for love online and didn’t let distance get in the way. And of course, congratulations to Cupidtino on celebrating their one-year anniversary as an Internet dating site.
Do you have an online dating story to share?
Read More Cyber Love Stories>>>
Dating Over 50? There’s a New Site For You
Photo credit: OurTime.com
Our friends at IAC, operator of Match.com have created a new site for singles over 50 looking for love online. OurTime.com was officially launched this week to help boomer singles 50+ find age-appropriate dates.
I recently spoke with Josh Meyers, CEO of People Media about OurTime.com and the rebranding from their successful Senior People Meet service for those who don’t look or feel over-the-hill. I shared his enthusiasm of the new name for a senior online dating site as not everyone in their 50s is ready to be called a “Senior.”
After a soft launch a few months ago, the site was able to attract over 1 million active members in conjunction with SeniorPeopleMeet.com. This popular growing demographic for online daters has received a lot of attention recently.
According to a press release, IAC has recorded a 400% increase in this member segment on People Media sites alone.
“This growing segment has clearly embraced online dating,” said Greg Blatt, CEO of IAC. “Our approach with any demographic category is to provide online dating choices, and this is no exception. To complement the broad-based experience enjoyed by so many over 50 on Match.com, we’re offering the more targeted experience of OurTime.com. We expect substantial growth to continue with this group across both properties.”
Boomer dating is growing in popularity as many empty-nesters become divorced around the age of 50. Not everyone gets fixed up by their friends. If they’re logging onto facebook, they might as well join an age-appropriate dating site.
Members of OurTime.com can opt in to be viewed on SeniorPeopleMeet.com with no additional charge.
For more online dating advice, like us at facebook.com/cyberdatingexpert
Peril of the Week – Advanced Warning Issued
It started out as an email sent from a man in New York who was a member of a popular online dating site. The recipient, an attractive intelligent single female shared the introductory email with some of her friends on Facebook, myself included. She wanted to know if she should go out with the man with the red flags. At first she thought it was hilarious. I told her not to go. Her curiosity got the best of her, so without further adieu, here’s an example of a date destined to go bad.
His first email appeared to be a “cut and paste” to many filled with a negative attitude. It read as follows:
“This may sound rude/odd but…what’s wrong with you? I have found there has to be a catch if I come across a cute, seemingly intelligent, well manner girl on this site.”
“I have tried this online dating thing for a while and to be honest… IT SUCKS!!!
“In the last month or so, I have been: stood up three times, canceled on at the last minute, met a girl who started to make out with another random guy at the bar while I watched, found out mid-date that the girl was inky 21 when her profile said she was 29, had a girl tell me how she is still in love with her ex, been told the day after a first date that she was getting back with her fiancé, but would love to use me for sex and my favorite…told that I was part of a “30 dates with 30 guys in 30 days” dare and that I had no shot. Fun times, right????”
“Now…based on the fact that you seem pretty awesome and the fact that I am apparently not cool enough to have plans on what should be a beautiful Friday night…How would you feel about being totally spontaneous and meeting me this evening? (who knows we might even like each other and get to make out?)”
“Now, I know you may want to email back and forth for days and then build up all this excitement hoping you found “the one”…but…I have found that usually leads to disappointment and then possibly therapy and sadness, right? Let’s skip all that nonsense and meet right away…OK? It will save us the let-down in the long run.”
“Now if you call/text/email, we can have possibly the blindest of dates…(assuming you don’t stand me up) or we can flirt via text from now until we do meet and build up expectations. Your choice, but first, please warn me about what is wrong with you so I know going into this that there will be little surprise!
”
With an email like this, I would have done one of two things. Either deleted it without response and forgotten about it, or send an email saying “No thank you. Best of luck with your search.”
Comments from her friends included, “Just be careful” to “This is hilarious. Go and report back to us.” I explained that it was a mass email sent to many other women and told her not to go. Online dating safety is a hot button for me. I had a bad feeling about this from reading just the first sentence of his email. I thought she should use her time wisely and find a man who is positive, emotionally healthy and worthy of her. I told her to do her homework, Google his email and phone number to find out more about him if she really wanted to pursue this. I had a bad feeling. I was told that I was too serious and that this was hilarious.
She did indeed go on a date with him, which was a disaster. She said she should have known that he was going to be crazy. After resfusing to tell him where she worked or lived, he left her in the bar. That would have been fine if it was over, but it wasn’t. He started to send her mean and nasty text messages. She asked him not to contact her again, and he said “no.”
Not only does this date qualify for The Peril of the Week, but it’s a warning message to spot the red flags and remember how to date safely. Don’t give out your home or work address, create a separate phone number on Google voice so you can change it if you continue to get harassed by a date gone badly, and trust your intuition. Listen to your friends if they are concerned about you. There are many wonderful singles looking for love online, but if you come across a situation or profile like this, report it to the Internet dating site you met on.
Do you have an online dating story to share?
Send your submissions and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Online Dating is More than Just Socially Acceptable
There’s seems to be no shortage of ways to find love. Last night, I was reading an article on Inc.com written by Tim Donnelly. Tim listed online dating and matchmaking as one of the best industries in 2011 for starting a business. Apparently everyone is joining in on the digital dating bandwagon.
According to the numbers from IBISWorld, there are 14,427 online dating and matchmaking sites in the United States. Cyber-Dating Expert, formed in 2008 is proud to one of them, helping singles create irresistible profile and find dating, love and romance in a Web 2.0 World.
Back in the early days of online dating, 15-20 years ago, you didn’t brag about. It’s only been in the past few years that the surge of online dating for the masses has become socially acceptable. Sites are popping up daily, and if you’re single and are on facebook, there’s a great likelihood that you’ve also signed up for one of the thousands of Internet dating sites.
Not a day goes by that I don’t hear another success couple which I enjoy featuring in the Cyber Love Story of the Week. But dating is a numbers game. You have to play to win. You also may need to widen your search to consider dating someone older or younger, and even change the radius of your search to meet someone in another city or country. I encourage you to change your zip code while traveling for vacation or business and to be open to the possibilities. There are over 96 million singles in the United States and over 116 million singles visiting online dating sites worldwide. There’s no excuse anymore. There are great singles out there finding love online. It’s time to dip your toe in and sign up for an online dating site.
Julie Spira is bestselling author an online dating expert. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com. Like her at facebook.com/cyberdatingexpert
Enjoy Chemistry’s Free Weekend
Just in time for Spring Fever, Chemistry.com is having a free communication weekend from Friday, March 25 – Sunday, March 27, 2011.
Now’s your opportunity to jump online and find your dream date and a compatible partner by signing up for their service for free this weekend.
Click this link to get started! Free Communication Weekend 3/25-3/27
If you need some hand holding, we’re happy to help you with your profile.
Cyber Love Story of the Week – Kristina and Tom
Kristina was on Match.com for about four weeks when she met Tom.
“I had been messaging with a few other guys and met only one other in person. When I received Tom’s first message I just had to respond,” said Kristina.
Tom’s message read something like this:
“Hi, I am looking for a good looking girl who doesn’t talk, has lots of ex-boyfriend drama and only eats salad at dinner. From your picture I see you are good looking and noticed you are a Mets fan, which is a bonus. Let me know if you are interested. If not, good luck in life and stuff. –TOM”
“When I clicked onto his profile his main quote said, “Three Words: NO BACK HAIR.” I have a weakness for cute, funny guys and he had me at that. Then I went on to read his absolutely ridiculous bio which was all made up, but very well written! I was laughing so hard and messaged him back right away,” added Kristina.
Their relationship worked right from the beginning and instantly clicked. The two were engaged nine months from their first date. Tom’s proposal was perfect and sentimental.
“The beach had always played an important role in my family’s life from the time my parents met at Jones Beach in the 1976,” said Kristina.
She added, “My father passed away on July 25, 1996. The year following his death, we held a memorial service for him at the beach where he would fish every weekend. On July 25, 2009, my mom, stepdad, my brother, his girlfriend, Tom and I went to the same beach where my dad fished so we can share the moment with them.”
Little did she know, but Tom had a marriage proposal all planned out and the moment her mom said, “let me get a picture of you two,” that was his cue to get on one knee. Tom began his proposal with, “I know you wanted your family to be here for this moment and I wanted to make sure your dad was a part of it as well.” He then continued to say, “so, do you want to do this?”
Kristina and Tom will be getting married on July 22, 2011—the exact date her parents would have been celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary.
Congratulations to Kristina and Tom, our Cyber Love Story of the Week couple who found love online on Match.com
Do you have an online dating story to share?
Read More Cyber Love Stories>>>
Valentine’s Day Advice – A Conversation with eHarmony [video] Part 1
In my exclusive interview with Dr. Gian Gonzaga, Senior Director of Research and Development at eHarmony Labs, you’ll hear about how singles and couples should celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Did you know if your photos are on your online dating profile, you’re 8 times more likely to get a response? Find out what the magic number of photos you should post and if you should post photos of your pets.
Learn more about the new book, the eHarmony Guide to Dating the Second Time Around, find out if you should propose on Valentine’s Day and more on Julie Spira TV. And don’t forget, eHarmony is offering their Free Communication month through February 28th.
eHarmony Becomes More Social With New Activity Feed Feature
In a plan to continue to be more social media friendly, eHarmony has just announced their new service called “Your New Activity Feed” to help you while looking for love online.
Broken down into four simple categories including Communication, Photo Updates, Profile Updates, and Who’s Viewed Me, users can enhance their experience by seeing who is active on the site. Some of these features are in line with Facebook profiles, which online daters are so accustomed to. The new photo updates will always pique someone’s curiosity. Knowing that someone recently viewed your profile gives you a quick advantage to responding to someone who is more likely to want to communicate with you. (see photo screen shot).
In their email, eHarmony provided a “Quick Tip,” which I’ve been teaching singles for quite some time now. “If you want a great way to get your matches to take a second look at you, update your profile or post your latest photos and you will go to the top of their feed.” Refresh and renew your profile if you want to have more success with Internet dating.
In honor of Valentine’s month, eHarmony is offering their free guided communication service through the end of February. Click the link below to sign up and take advantage of their special offer.
Get to know your matches better with FREE Guided Communication at eHarmony through February!
OkCupid Becomes Match.com’s Valentine
It’s a happy day for free online dating site OkCupid, who was acquired today by Match.com for $50 million in cash, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
OkCupid, led by Sam Yagan has become the darling for online daters due to the ease of use and no cost entry fee.
How will this affect you as a member of both sites? Probably not at all. According to a press release, Greg Blatt, CEO of IAC, who owns Match.com, Chemistry.com, Singlesnet, People Media, and Yahoo! Personals, “OkCupid has been a real innovator in our space, and the dating environment they’ve created struck a chord with a younger demographic.” Blatt believes OkCupid is the best site in its competitive set.
OkCupid was the recipient of four awards at the Internet Dating Conference in January, including Best Dating Site, Best Dating Site Design, Most Innovative Company, and Best Up and Coming Dating Site.
Sam Yagan from OkCupid was featured guest on Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert Radio Show’s season premiere last year. To listen to the program, click here
My personal opinion? I recommend both sites regularly to my coaching clients. I think they’re in good company.
Are you a member of both OkCupid and Match? Comments are welcome and please do like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Free Love February at Lavalife
We’re happy to share with you that our friends at Lavalife are celebrating during Valentine’s Month with their “Free Love February” special. Any new user who signs up within the month of February will receive 30 days of unlimited access to their online dating site, absolutely free.
Click here for the Lavalife: 30-Day Free Trial and let the dating begin.
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