Yes, online dating can work. And internet relationships are safer than dating the guy your friend tries to set you up with.

Let’s face it there maybe plenty of fish in the sea, but if you are always fishing in the same hole – eventually you might throw all the fish back. So image that after years of fishing in a pond in your back yard, I told you that you could now jump on a boat and fish in the biggest body of water known to man. That’s what it’s like when you start dating online.

Sure you might have spend sometime getting familiar with the new waters. And of course you run the risk of running into some pretty scary sharks but at least your not still fishing the same pond, throwing back the same loser fish.

So here’s a few tips to get you started:

1. Decide what kind of relationship you are looking for.

If you decide what kind of relationship that you are looking for, it will help you narrow down which dating sites to try. Do you want a serious one? Try eHarmony.com or match.com. Want something more casual? Try OKCupid.com or plentyoffish.com. Or are you looking for something a bit more, well – undescribable? Then try craigslist.com, becollared.com or onlinebootycall.com.

2. Picture for a picture is good etiquette.

Remember though, never ask for a picture before you offer a picture. It’s just rude. And make sure that the picture is one that has been taken within the past year. Preferably in a natural setting, but not with all of your friends. Also it is good to note that at this time, the person on the other end could be your mom, dad or a cousin. So don’t show anything that you wouldn’t want them to see.

3. Emails, online chat, telephone and then meet.

There is nothing more akward than meeting up with someone that you haven’t taken the time to get to know, and then realizing that you have absolutely nothing in common. It’s like setting yourself up on a blind date. Dating online gives you some control over how fast the relationship moves so take advantage of that. You’ll know when it feels right to meet.

4. Be smart – always meet in public.

I said there were some sharks out there. Just in case you are wondering, sharks do not discriminate based on race, gender or sexual preference. If they are hungry, they will eat you. And you at least want people to know where they should send the rescue party to start looking.

5. Have fun being you.

Don’t think that you have to be someone else or put up a front. If you want something in particular, the Internet is big enough for you to find it. So enjoy being able to do so and never feel like you have to settle. After all this ocean is much bigger than the pond and I guarantee you will eventually find the fish you want to mount on the wall…or fishes.

Next Post on Dating…proof that it can work!

You absolutely must test.  The most important internet marketing tip is you have to test.  It is important to realize and understand that someone out there is trying to be better than what you are. We live in a world where the little guy has the opportunity to become the big guy in the blink of an eye. So we must try to be better today than we were yesterday.

Test. Take calculated risks. Never be afraid. Throw the word ‘fear‘ out of your vocabulary because the internet is not a place to be afraid.