10 Online Dating Tips Over 50

I thought it would be interesting to get online dating tips over 50 from my mother to my readers. She is a woman over 50 and has found herself actively dating again.

Finding love can be hard at times. Since you’re over 50, I thought you might want some advice from someone who has been through the dating process. If you’re new to online dating or just looking for a refresher course, here are ten things I wish I knew before signing up:

1. It’s all about the photos: The most important thing about your profile is your pictures. Be sure to take the time to make them count. Your photos provide potential matches with their first impression of you, so choose carefully. Have fun with it! Take your favorite photo from when you were feeling your best and have it professionally enhanced, or, if you’re feeling creative, use a photo editing tool to make an image that shows off your personality.

2. Choose a photo that shows you as you are: Don’t go crazy with the makeup, but if you do choose to use it, be sure that it’s natural and age-appropriate. I would always prefer a profile picture of you looking at the camera wearing something casual and straightforward if I had to choose. Don’t take yourself too seriously!

3. Don’t be shy: I used to be very shy and hesitant about sending messages, but that’s not how online dating works. To get matches, you must put yourself out there. Be bold! Go into the details of your life and interests as if you were talking to a good friend. Look for something in common with each other and use that as your jumping-off point for a conversation.

4. Speak your mind, but keep it clean: Be honest about your personality and what you’re looking for. Don’t try to hide behind clichés and generalities. That being said, be polite! The goal of online dating is to make connections, not enemies.

5. Keep your profile current: It can be hard to take the time to update your profile after you’ve been online for a while, but that’s the surest way to attract the wrong kind of match. Stay fresh!

6. Be clear about what you’re looking for: Many people do online dating while in a relationship and are not looking for something serious. This can help you avoid getting into a relationship with someone looking for something other than what you’re offering. Don’t put off defining what you’re looking for until after you’ve been on a few dates. Start with your expectations and share them right upfront so that both of you know where things stand from the beginning.

7. Use your profile to let others know who you are: If you’re not someone who enjoys writing about yourself, you may think this tip is impossible. But I have a secret: Lists are fun to read, and they can tell other people a lot about you.

8. Be specific in what you’re looking for: Your profile may be attracting the wrong kind of matches if it’s too vague or general. Think about what you’re looking for and list it in a way that’s easy to find!

9. Don’t be too specific: While you might like the idea of going to church but are too nervous to bring it up, you can’t expect that same person to take the appropriate steps to become interested in or initiate contact with you. If you’re too specific about your religious beliefs, someone else might also feel obligated to introduce themself as religious, which may not be the best idea if they’re not.

10. Don’t be afraid to try something new: If you’re not getting the results you want from online dating, maybe it’s time to try something different. Keep an open mind and an eye out for innovative new apps and online sites specifically designed for older adults.