All of the dating apps are very usable and quite good for free. Paying for the dating apps is not a requirement. In fact, I often tell people not to pay for the apps. But, please note that I don’t say this because I don’t believe the apps, and their respective parent companies, shouldn’t be charging for their services. I believe anything in life that’s important to people often takes time, energy… and money.
Many years ago, I had a client who was on an online dating site, and someone she was interested in had a really cute picture of himself with a dog. So, when she reached out to him, she said, “What a cute pup! What’s his/her name?” The guy replied and, rather than being flattered that my client reached out, he instead accused her of stalking him: “How did you know I had a dog? Did you look me up? What else do you know about you?” She promptly wrote, “Look at your fourth picture.” End scene.
It’s no secret that people are watching their wallets these days — and for good reason (if you’ve bought eggs or needed to fill your car with gas recently, you’ll know what I’m talking about). So it would make sense that many singles are sticking to free apps and websites when it comes to online dating. However, finding love might be worth investing in a premium service.
As a dating coach, I’ve read a lot of online dating profiles… which also means that I’ve read a lot of bad dating profiles. There are many things that can turn me (and my clients) off to a person’s bio — from bad grammar to lack of photos to rants about politics — but perhaps the worst perpetrator is general negativity.
July 3, 2020 Anyone in the world of dating today, especially online and in apps, will tell you that there are a few words you may have to add to your vocabulary. By now, everyone knows about catfishing — pretending you’re
August 4, 2019 So many people come to me asking why Bumble (or insert your favorite online dating app) “isn’t working.” What does “working” mean anyway? Some people think it means they should end up in a long-term relationship. While
July 1, 2019 I Get By With a Little Help From My… Dating Coach Whenever I start working with new clients, I first ask if they are currently on an online dating site, and, if so, which one(s). I then
April 1, 2019 I have a Google Alert set to send me any articles where the phrase “online dating” appears. I usually get notifications about new apps that are trying to take market share (good luck), crazy people who send
For all of that “work,” you don’t have a date.
A new year is almost upon us. It’s a time for getting older, getting wiser, and getting… dates?
October 16, 2018 The founders of online dating sites like Match, JDate, and even Tinder (which is owned by Match) want you to use their sites to meet a significant other. Online dating makes it so much easier to connect
June 20, 2018 It was 11 AM on a recent Sunday. My friend Stephanie was looking forward to meeting her date for brunch that they had scheduled over the dating app Bumble. She arrived on time, sat down at a
May 9, 2018 Last week, in a surprise announcement, Facebook made it known to the world that it would be entering the online dating game. While the timing was interesting—right after Mark Zuckerberg had to testify in front of Congress
February 2, 2018 Hi, my name is Erika, and I’m a math nerd. Hi, my name is Erika, and I’m a dating coach. Yep, same person. The strangeness of my skillset is not lost on me. When feasible, I try
December 22, 2017 Over the years, I’ve been known as LovesLifeDC, SassyScotchLover, SmartNSassy, and SassClassWhisky. No, these aren’t nicknames I got from friends in college or at my first job. These were all of my usernames on the dating site
December 12, 2017 This one is mainly for the ladies… You’re swiping through Bumble. You see a really cute guy (or gal). You swipe right. You match!! You message him (on Bumble, the woman has to write first)… only to
October 31, 2017 Ah, Tinder. Some love it. Some hate it. Some have no idea what to think about it. Tinder was at the forefront of apps of its kind, coming into the market in September of 2012. In the
August 8, 2017 Despite the nuanced differences, all dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Happn, The League, Coffee Meets Bagel, etc.) work similarly in that you look at a picture and you swipe left or right (not interested or interested, respectively) based
February 14, 2017 I was recently interviewed by a young professional publication in Washington, DC called 730DC. I realized, after reading the article, that much of the advice here is applicable not just to people in DC or to young professionals,
June 23, 2016 Isn’t the point of going online to get offline? (No need to answer that. I think it’s pretty clear!) So many people ask me, “How do you just get offline?!” Or, “When is the appropriate time to
April 26, 2016 Have you heard the expression “hookup culture” recently? Our friend and foe Wikipedia defines “hookup culture” as a culture that accepts and encourages casual sexual encounters, focusing on immediate pleasure rather than long-term commitment. This is not
March 2, 2016 You haven’t written your online dating profile yet? As any intrusive relative (we all have them) would say, “You’re not getting any younger!” This is before the requisite pinch cheek, of course. When you’re ready to take the leap
July 16, 2015 Ten years ago, my job didn’t exist. There weren’t ads for it. They didn’t teach it in school. And had you told me that this would be my profession after graduating college with a degree in economics, I
