can’t just go out and meet other people like they used to.
While it’s easier to interact online, the challenge lies with taking this to a real-world level. Although this is the case, you can still make your virtual date successful.
All you need to do is to follow these tips from dating coach Evan Marc Katz:
Be Prepared
As with real-life dating, you need to be prepared for your first virtual date. It would be best to have topics or questions ready for conversation as online dating gives little room for small talk. You can’t ask about the usual things, such as one’s commute or the restaurant’s ambiance.
Having a list of conversational topics can make your first virtual date successful. This can help minimize the dead air, which is quite usual for first-time virtual daters.
With a sustainable conversation, you may find yourself having a constant slew of online dates.
Mind the Placement
It’s important to make a great first impression, even though it’s only a virtual date. You can quickly achieve this by keeping these video dating tips in mind:
- Keep your laptop at eye level. This can help make a date more personal. At the same time, this gives you a better angle.
- It’s all about lighting. Put your best face forward by facing outwards towards the window as this can give you a radiant dose of natural lighting. For nighttime virtual dates, don’t forget to light up your lamp.
- Mind your background. You don’t want your webcam to show your untidy room. If this is not possible, remember to activate a good faux background.
- Wear a presentable top as if you’re going out on a date. You don’t want your date to see your cheese-stained PJ’s.
Avoid Common Virtual Dating Mistakes
Even if you are not meeting the person in real life, you are still prone to committing some dating mistakes.
First and foremost, you need to have a stable internet connection. It can be quite disappointing for your screen to freeze or be blurry in the middle of a heart-to-heart talk. You don’t want to lose all that momentum.
Another thing you should remember is to hold your virtual date in a quiet space. Yes, that this can be quite a hurdle if you live with family and friends.
However, you can overcome this pitfall by holding dates whenever your housemates are out of the house. Take advantage whenever they’re in the office or doing some grocery runs.
Flirting is Key
It can be quite hard to establish intimacy in a virtual set-up. However, you can overcome this drawback by remaining ‘flirty’ in your conversations.
Don’t forget to compliment your date and mention the things you like about that person. This can help you form an intimate connection – something you can take to your future real-life dates.
Have Fun
If you have been talking consistently with each other for months, running out of things to talk about is a strong possibility. There’s not much new experience to share after all, given that the pandemic has kept most people locked in their homes.
Despite this drawback, you can keep things interesting by doing fun things online. You can play games online or try doing a virtual charade. You can even do the online version of “Never Have I Ever.”
Miss booze? Well, you can always do a good drinking game with your virtual date. The best thing about this is you don’t have to worry about running an expensive bar tab. Add to that, you don’t have to worry about driving home drunk!
Set Up a Real-Life Date
Sure, everything is going virtually rosy. But if you want to escape the limits of the digital world, then you need to set up a real-life meeting eventually.
It’s just like asking somebody else in-person. Set a date, time, and location that’s good for both of you. You’d want to be in a place where you can converse well.
Yes, it’s the first date all over again, but having the connection you have shared virtually will help make the meeting less awkward.
Again, don’t forget to have your questions and topics ready. If this made your online dates successful, they’re sure to help your real-life dates, too.
It’s All About the Connection
Don’t worry about forging a real-life connection. If you’ve made it online, then you are more than likely to do this in actuality. This is especially the case if you’ve spent quite some time chatting and Facetiming your virtual date.
While online dating has its flaws, it allows you to connect with a person on a deeper level. Compared to real-life dates, it has a lesser amount of physicality or sexual attraction distorting the picture.
Virtual dating is a great way to meet new people even in this pandemic. If you want to create a more in-depth, real-life bond, then keep these tips by dating coach Evan Marc Katz in mind.
By following these reminders, you can make your online relationship blossom into something more.
