So, you’ve decided to take a chance and try online dating. You’ve
checked out the sites, posted a little bit of information about
yourself and what you’re looking for and possibly browsed the
potential contacts that you would like to make. More than likely, a
few people have piqued your interest and you think you’re ready to
make contact. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Read the profiles that interest you thoroughly. Pay attention to the
ideals and interests that are important to you. Read the sections that
are personally written and see if they touch you in any way. Sometimes
the small details or what is not being said can be the most important.

Use the tools you are given on the dating site. Most support their own
e-mail, chat or instant messaging services. Anonymity is important to
most people these days when taking a chance with online dating. These
tools enable a person to stay safely anonymous as long as they like
and can usually block any offensive or undesired contact from specific
members.

Make sure you know what you are looking for whether it is friendship
or a long-term relationship. Contact or reply to like minded people
and there won’t be any misunderstood intentions on either side. The
way most profiles read give you an idea of what someone is really
looking for. Some sites even include that information as part of the
profile process.

Have a list of question you would like to ask. They don’t have to read
like an application, but the idea is to get to know the person and see
if there is compatibility. If a picture is not posted with the
profile, you will probably want to ask for one. A good question to ask
is if the picture was taken recently. Not everyone wants to post his
or her receding hairline or bad haircut and will post an older
picture! Another good question to ask is if the person is in an
existing relationship or how long ago their last relationship was. You
aren’t guaranteed the truth, but sometimes a reaction

http://www.dontplayplay.com/html/Dating/20060925/9863.html