THE MIAMI HERALD -- July 22 -- A handful of online dating services -- once the go-to places for finding that significant other -- are realizing that the best way to meet is by actually -- meeting. ''We use the Internet to get people off the Internet,'' says Myles Weissleder, VP, Meetup.com, (two million members). JDate and Lavalife have organized both casual and elaborate events. Kristin Kelly, Match.com's spokesperson, ''At the end of the day, you need to meet. Online dating is only efficient if you know when to meet. Hanging online is not what we want you to do,'' Kelly said. But Match.com does not organize offline events. ''We used to have a separate events business but it just wasn't profitable for us,'' Kelly said.
Mark Brooks: Events offer dating sites a double edged sword. If you run GREAT events, you'll get great word-of-mouth. People like to talk about what they've done on their evenings and weekends. However, the other side of the sword can cut deep. Run mediocre to poor events and the negative word of mouth can be crucifying. You can't run a dating events business half heartedly.
Speed dating is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Events section at the Dating Site can help you gather your community at one place for meeting and have a great party.
People get more chances to see each other and then continue communication online at your dating site. making up events can be a fuss and tiring but it's worth the effort only because you make people speak about your Dating Site and get more traffic in the end.
Posted by: Julia Dorofeeva | Jul 25, 2006 at 07:47 PM
I'm not sure about those online dating services. It seems as though they serve generally for pervs and for internet freaks. Well, I am an internet freak but I perfer to meet people in person where thay can't lie about their apperances. I guess those sites have served as a positive medium for a few lucky couples.
Posted by: Chelsea fc | Jul 25, 2006 at 10:14 PM
I used to recommend people take their time with online dating, sending emails and talking on the phone for minimum two weeks before meeting. That way they can still make a friend if nothing else.
Well I revised this after reading a very insightful newsletter by a dating coach, Stephane Hemon, in Canada and my own experience. Its better to meet sooner, to find out if that chemistry exists. That way you can "fail quickly" and go back to find more people to meet.
And in fact the most effecient way would be to set-up multiple dates in one evening so you can quickly asses the person face to face and take it from there.
Ramon Thomas, South Africa's #1 Dating Coach
Posted by: Ramon Thomas | Jul 26, 2006 at 05:29 AM
Check out www.cupid.com/predating for the best dating event format I've come across yet. 6 minute speed dating, 12 introductions, one evening.
I also like wine tastings and lock and key parties.
MatchLive.com was Match.com's valiant effort at singles events. They were managing too many hosts and too many events formats. Best to keep it simple and systematize as much as possible. Predating.com was started by an aeronautical engineer who thought the event format through to the n'th degree. Cupid bought Predating in 2004 (under my guidance as VP) and stitched it in to Cupid.com. It's been tough, but was a good buy for them. They now have a true differentiator in the market place, and something that people talk about.
Mark Brooks
editor, onlinepersonalswatch.com
Posted by: Mark Brooks | Jul 28, 2006 at 01:58 AM