Online dating is a really great thing.  Where else can you scout potential dates at midnight in the comfort of your own home?  Maybe you'll find someone who shares your same obsession for Disneyland or Fruit Loops.  The potential for fun is endless.  Not only that, but you can post a photo of you that could knock anyone's socks off, even though you where your PJ's as you scout online. 

So I bet you're asking yourself right now, does internet dating actually work?  Of course it does.  There's always that possibility of meeting a total dud as well, but that's life.  You could meet total duds at your local watering-hole too, so don't let that discourage you from trying online dating.  Consider these tips as you embark upon your online dating journey:

The most important part of online dating is the photo-let's be honest.  If you do not upload a photo then people are going to pass up your profile.  People want to see what they're getting, so don't be shy and avoid uploading a photo.  And please do make sure the photo looks like you.  You don't want to show-up for a date and not have the other party recognize you, nor would you want it the other way around!  Be courteous to others, and hopefully they'll extend you the same courtesy. 

Don't be mistaken though, this should be the absolute best natural picture ever taken of you.  It really should show you off, and you want to be proud of it.  Don't shy away from being a bit seductive in your picture, but everything in moderation.   The message you're trying to put out with your photo is "I'm open, I'm available, and I'm hot!"  Not "hot" in the trashy sense, but you want to come across as attractive.  Put your best foot forward. 

Now that you have an enticing photo, you want your profile to show off how fun you are.  When people go online to look for a potential internet date, they want to know it won't be a downer.  People really just do want to go out and have a good time.  So, in your profile, emphasize the things that sound fun.   Stay away from bad jokes and clichés.  That means that it's probably not a good idea to say you like "long walks on the beach".  Catch my drift?

Here are a couple more things to consider: SPELLCHECK.  Please don't be one of the unfortunate online daters that miss to the spell-check button.  One of the very first things a person knows about you online is what your spelling and grammar are like.  People will equate that with your intelligence, so double-check it!

When emailing a potential date from your online dating service, know that emailing is flirting.  You two haven't met at a bar where you could flirt by the juke box, you met at an online dating service, so this is where the flirting happens.  Don't be lewd, but play around and be fun.  The internet allows us to let loose in a very unique way.  This is one of the real perks of online dating, so use it to your advantage. 

Now, last but not least, is to be safe!  Use your gut and sense when someone is just not right.  Don't go on a date with someone you have a bad feeling about, and don't feel guilty about turning-down dates.  When it comes to online dating, you're in the driver's seat.