Contributed by: ElyseRomano on Tuesday, January 08 2013 @ 09:34 am
Last modified on
Few can call themselves one of the world's foremost experts on online dating, but Markus Frind is definitely one of them. As Founder and CEO of POF.com - formerly PlentyOfFish.com - Frind has been given a unique perspective on finding love online and what it takes to be a successful online dater.
He recently shared[*1] a few insights with Rheba Estante for Examiner.com. Here's what he had to say...
On why you should ditch dating at the bar:
Meeting someone in a bar isn't difficult...it's meeting the right person that's the hard part. Online dating means no distractions like loud music and spilled drinks, which places the emphasis on deeper interactions and real connections. Plus you know some of the most important stuff right away - like core values and interests - instead of several dates down the line.
On how POF streamlines the dating process:
Like any dating site, POF matches users based on what they say they want in a partner. But it also factors in user activity on the site to create a more accurate picture of what a user is looking for. "For instance," Frind explains, "if you say you are looking for a relationship but you're constantly contacting users who are looking for something casual, you're going to start seeing more of the latter coming up in your matches."
On why online dating might have the edge on traditional dating:
We use the Internet for just about everything these days, so it's only logical that dating would be included in that. "Online dating exposes you to people that you otherwise would never meet offline," says Frind. "In today's fast paced world it's getting increasingly difficult to meet people between our jobs and our small social circles, so POF provides a fun and efficient tool to meet people you want to interact with on the other side of the computer (and mobile) screen.
On the reasons some connections fizzle out:
Not every spark online will lead to a face-to-face meeting, and that's ok. Every number exchange at a bar or art gallery won't lead to a date either. Sometimes busy schedules are the culprit. Sometimes two people are looking for different things. Sometimes a lack of attraction is to blame. Sometimes one person feels the connection more strongly than the other.
On what to do if you find yourself with a dud:
Air on the side of politeness. A thoughtful "Thank you" is always appreciated, though it's unlikely you'll be able to respond to everyone. Focus on what's most important: finding someone you see a future with.