Business Marketing

10 Tips on How to Respond to a Personal Ad

You have seen a personal ad that you like and now you want to respond. Most people do it wrong and then wonder why they never get a reply. While there are “secrets” or guarantees, here are 10 tips on how to respond to a personal ad to help you stand out from the crowd.

1. Write in advance. Draft your response. Use a word processor (Word, WordPad etc.) to check spelling and grammar. Just remember that a word processor cannot tell the difference between “live” and “leave”.

2. Personalize it. Never use a generic response. Nobody likes a “canned” response. Each email should be written to that particular person. Visualizing a real person and writing him/her helps. Want to contact many people as quickly as possible? Create a template and save it in your computer (or on paper). Then personalize it for each contact.

3. Study the person’s ad and look for clues on how to reply. In your response, tell how or why you may fit with their hopes, desires and personality.

4. Avoid overused, generic terms like “Hi_, can we chat?” or “Response to your ad”. Use the subject of the email to catch attention: most people look at the subject to decide whether to open the email. If you have received responses for your personal ads, study the ones that attract your attention and model yours from them.

5. Write more than one line. Tell something about yourself. Give a compliment but avoid commenting on the person’s looks, especially when writing to a pretty woman (how many others have done that?). You could mention what attracted you to their ad. Ask questions about something they wrote. Show keen, genuine interest.

6. Don’t write a novel. Long messages can be intimidating, especially if the person has received lots of responses. They simply get deleted. Keep it short and sweet.

7. Don’t ask for personal information at this point. And never reveal personal information on first contact.

8. Unless the person has said he/she is looking for a casual relationship, don’t mention anything suggestive of sex. A “friends first” approach works best.

9. Avoid negativity. Don’t mention past failed relationships. And don’t brag. If you like something about yourself or have a special talent, sneak it in without touting your horn. Example, “My friends say I play the piano really well.”

10. Be pleasant, courteous and positive. And above all, be honest. Don’t say you work out regularly at the gym, as impressive as it may seem, when you know you’re couch potatoes.

There you have 10 tips on how to respond to a personal ad. Take your time and write a winner. It could mean the difference between success and failure in getting you the person you seek.

About the Author

David Kamau owns http://www.e-DateCentral.com which reviews dating sites. Receive FREE dating, relationships and romance ebooks, plus advice and tips. Go to http://www.e-datedentral.com/subscribe.htm

10 Tips on How to Respond to a Personal Ad by David Kamau

Five Questions You Should Be Sure To Ask Your Online Dating E-Friend

Online dating can be very entertaining and gratifying.

Since its inception, online dating has continuously brought people together even though they may be worlds apart. Online dating makes bridges to connect people, enjoy each other, and build dreams together.

However, it’s not always possible to instantly find somebody with whom to share the rest of your life.

Online dating is a continuous, systematic process. It entails careful selection of words, pictures, and representations of the person involved in order to get the best results. Moreover, from the time you first find someone you think you could be interested in, remember the process will continue as you both get to know each other through a series of messages, chats, and other forms of communication.

Along with this comes the careful selection of words used and messages conveyed in order to establish natural, free-flowing, yet enlightening conversations. These are not just a mere exchange of words and phrases but a way of getting to know each other.

Hence, it is extremely important to know which questions to ask so that you can get a better sense of who the person is on the other side of the virtual screen.

Here are some of the questions that you should ask your e-friend in order to assess their personality and attitude. These questions will help to provide the necessary information regarding an individuals personal convictions and preferences.

Those who are involved in online dating just have to keep in mind that when asking these questions, they should make it appear very natural so that they will not sound like they are being confrontational.

In addition, be sure that you are also prepared to answer the same.

1. What is the major error that people make when dating online for the first time?

This question will illustrate some idea about how the other person views the opposite sex. In this way, one could get an insight on the attitude of the other person and his or her personal beliefs on some important matters like dating and relationships.

2. What are you looking for in a guy/girl?

With this question, an individual can get hold of the qualities that the other person is looking for in a companion.

However, one should take note of how the other person tries to answer the question. If the reply is passed off with a joke or some other attempt at humor chances are they have not yet thought about the answer.

3. What is a really successful relationship?

One could get a good view on how the other person values relationship. It would be better to hear the other person provide an answer regarding how the two persons who are involved in the relationship should work together as they grow.

4. What is your view on online dating services?

Through this question, a person will be able to know if the other person has had some serious negative experience concerning online dating or the other way around. In addition, through the answers of the other person, one could guess if he or she is still willing to consider online dating or not.

5. Did you fail on your last relationship?

Most people would certainly blame the other person in the relationship. Others blame themselves too much. It would be better to hear some answers like they (the couple) equally share the blame and that it is just time to part ways.

The point in asking these questions is to establish a solid foundation by finding out the kind of personality and attitude the other person has. Keeping communication open is what matters most.

The problem with a lot of people involved in online dating is that most of them do not have any idea how to carry the conversation. They do not know what questions to ask and how to assess the answers they get.

Remember that asking some reliable questions will give you an edge and you’ll be more confident when the time comes to meet in person.

This article is for free distribution and re-publishing.

Ian Basford at www.online-dating-secrets.org has compiled an ebook to give a boost in the performance of your online dating experience. Claim your FREE ebook, “Love Yourself, Life & Work” as a special Thank You for visiting.

About the Author

Ian Basford has compiled an essential guide for online dating, and getting it right first time.

Five Questions You Should Be Sure To Ask Your Online Dating E-Friend  by Ian Basford