If you are single, you have no doubt realized the difficulty of obtaining quality material and advice on online dating. Site's that boast "Dating tips", "Profile Assessments", and "Dating Experts", astound us with their infinite suggestions on being single and successful at dating online, but leave us looking incredulously at their unrealistic point of view. There are good tips to be had, but at times most of us need real inspiration from real single people.

Dating online takes time and patience - it does NOT come quickly.

So... now that you signed up, what comes next? You completed your profile, repeatedly checked your spelling, thoughtfully wrote out your life's autobiography, posted one of your best photos and are waiting for your matches to fill your inbox... wait, that was 3 months ago!

So why is your inbox not flooded with prospective Soulmates? Online dating takes time and patience. Being without defect and lacking nothing essential to the whole; your perfectly created, newly posted profile is floating in a digital sea of other members with profile perfectionism. Just because you are listed in the directory, does not mean that anyone HAS to email or chat with you. As with anything else in life, if you want results YOU must take the initiative. Actively seek to contact those you are interested in. Technology can do many things, but even in this medium of online dating, social interaction is still left in our own hands.

Tens of thousands of people worldwide enter Internet dating sites everyday of the year, some are serious, some are not. When accessing online dating, it is your task not only to represent yourself in the best possible light but also to speak to those who are of interest and discourage those who are not.

When utilizing the dating services send well constructed opening greetings to people you are attracted to. What makes for a busy and productive online dating experience? Being kind and polite to everyone, have a good friend's list and utilize the email and messaging tools provided frequently. In other words, be confident and willing to use all of the communication tools at your disposal.

I have added some basics to help you out: