July 21, 2016 Sure—everyone wants that perfect “meet-cute.” You sit down next to each other on the airplane. Sparks fly. You talk the whole time about deep topics. You look into each other’s eyes. You exchange information. The rest is
How to Take an Online Date Offline
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
Your Body Language Can Impact Your Dating Life
April 1, 2016 While it’s obvious that what you say on a date can make or break the experience, what you do also has a huge impact on your chances of getting to date #2. You might be the next
Will You Be My Valentine, Computer Screen?
February 12, 2016 Around this time of year, I always get a lot of questions pertaining to the cyclical nature of my job. “Is this your busy time of year?” “You must get a lot of business before Valentine’s Day.”
Is anyone out there reading my profile?
January 15, 2016 Question: Dear Erika: I am frustrated. It seems like no one is even reading the online dating profile I put out there. Men are emailing me from all over the country even though I explicitly stated only
Is Doing Your Due Diligence the New Normal?
August 10, 2015 In some ways, three years seems like no time, and in other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. Just over three years ago, I wrote an article called To Google or Not to Google? That is the
The Golden Rule… of Dating
April 29, 2015 It’s funny how many people reference The Golden Rule in their online dating profiles: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Okay, perhaps not too many people reference it on JDate or JSwipe considering
Online Dating on Valentine’s Day
February 9, 2015 Ah, Valentine’s Day. Some people love the chocolates and flowers. Some people hate the saccharine Hallmark cards that permeate the aisles. And, of course, some people choose to treat February 14th as just any other day of
The Lady Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks
January 26, 2015 I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a literature buff. I vaguely remember reading Romeo & Juliet in high school, but that’s really the extent of my knowledge. (I did used to think it was interesting
The Top Five Online Dating Findings from 2014
December 29, 2014 Do you like to travel? Me, too. Apparently so does everyone else on Match.com. How do I know this? Match.com just came out with its 2014 Year in Review report, and below are the top five highlights:
No Risk, No Reward
October 22, 2014 In life, when we want something, we often have to take a risk. Want a new job? Better put together that resume and send it into the ether for your potential new employers to see. Want
Online Dating: Then and Now
September 22, 2014 Online dating has been around for a while now. In fact, Match.com first opened its proverbial doors back in 1993! As you may know, I was actually a very early adopter of online dating, using JDate back
How Dating Deal Breakers Can Hinder Success
September 2, 2014 How many deal breakers is it appropriate to have when searching online for a partner? One, five, fifteen? There is no magic number, of course, and Patti Stanger of The Millionaire Matchmaker says that five is a
How to Win the Dating Game
July 30, 2014 I play mahjong. It’s true. I know I’m a bit younger than the average-aged player (though I’m not sure why it trends that way!), but I love my weekly mahjong games. I play with a group of
The Intro Says It All
May 30, 2014 When you go to a bookstore, would you rather buy the book with the line, “This book is about a woman’s adventure and coming of age,” or the one with the line, “Read a rare tale about
Catch a Date with “Email Bait”
April 24, 2014 Have you ever come across an online dating profile that you like, you want to send a message, and then you have a strong bout of writer’s block? It turns out you’re not alone. Many people have no
No Catfish Tonight For Me
March 13, 2014 When people hear the term “online dating,” they don’t always know what it means. Here’s what it doesn’t mean: Having a virtual girlfriend or boyfriend Dating in your pajamas for the rest of eternity while eating a
Tips for Dating Bliss in 2014
January 21, 2014 Time sure does fly, doesn’t it? It’s a new year, and with that comes a new outlook, maybe some new clothes, and, of course, some new people on all of the online dating sites. (And don’t
‘Tis the Season… For Online Dating
December 18, 2013 Ah, December… the time for lighting the menorah (thanks to Thanksgivukkah, that was in November as well), getting trampled at Best Buy and Target, finding the house with the gaudiest Christmas lights, and, of course, wondering whether
Let’s Give Thanks To… Technology?
November 25, 2013 Every Thanksgiving, my family has a tradition (as I’m sure many do) of going around the table and listing what we’re thankful for this year. I couldn’t ask for a more poignant way to show my thanks.
“Paws” Before Posting: Curb Your Desire to Hide Deal Breakers
August 5, 2013 About three months ago, I went to adopt a dog. This was a big step for me since, as a young girl, I was bitten by my neighbor’s dog (and still have the scar to prove
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
June 4, 2013 We’ve all heard the expression, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” In general, things that are worth it take time. So why does everyone think that Mr. or Ms. Charming will simply come knocking on your door
Online Dating Email Etiquette
May 28, 2013 In almost every aspect of life, we go after the things we want. Not thrilled with your job? Get your resume together and search for a new one. Some recent weight gain before swimsuit season upsetting you?
The Curse of the Empty Adjective
March 18, 2013 I’m smart, funny, and attractive. I’m humble, successful, and kind. I’m romantic, thoughtful, and trustworthy. I’m sexy, passionate, and fearless. I’m compassionate, honest, and friendly. How many times have we seen lines like these in online
He Likes Me For Me
February 14, 2013 Tips for creating an online dating profile that attracts the right people. It’s hard to write your online dating profile, isn’t it? Even if you’re a professional writer, when it comes to putting pen to paper