How To Cyberflirt

As online dating has surged in popularity and social acceptance, the ways in which we catch the attention of others, flirt, and get to know someone better have changed dramatically.  In this brave new world, it is not enough to know how to smile coyly, flip your hair, and make eye contact across a crowded room.  You need to know how to cyberflirt effectively to enhance your chances of having an opportunity to flirt the old-fashioned way – in person.

Make contact

In the world of online dating, it is most often the men who initiate the first contact but there is no reason why women should not do this as well.  Your first e-mail should be short, polite and friendly.  Include a brief comment about something you found interesting in the other person’s profile.  It will show that you are not just sending out “form” e-mails, but rather that you have read their profile and responded to something specific that caught your eye.

Watch your online etiquette

Online dating and cyberflirting have rules of etiquette, just like in the face-to-face world.  Never write messages in all caps (it is the equivalent of yelling at someone) and be cautious about the use of “winks”, “clicks” and other non-committal ways of making contact.  Most online sites promote these options as fun and easy ways to cyberflirt, but they can easily become tools for singles to come across as lazy or insincere.

You should also avoid the use of emoticons – those cute little smiley faces and such – and the use of common instant messaging abbreviations like lol, brb and ttyl (laugh out loud, be right back, and talk to you later).

Be honest but do not unload your life story

Cyberflirting is like face-to-face flirting in that conversations should honest, light and friendly.  Never write a lengthy missive on your life experiences, but feel free to share essential details about yourself in a sociable and pleasant way.  This is a good way to uncover potential compatibility issues or life differences before you get too far into a relationship.

Keep it moving

Cyberflirting is fun and exciting, but if it goes on for too long it gets old.  At some point, you need to move forward to a telephone call or a face-to-face meeting, or the relationship just will not go anywhere.  You are better off spending your time getting to know others who are more interested in having a real relationship rather than staying lost in endless cyberflirting.