How to Recover From a Bad First Impression Online

Every day millions of Americans go online looking for love. We join dating sites, build elaborate online profiles and upload every picture of ourselves we can get our hands on — that is, if it shows off our good side.

The thing is, when it comes to securing dates and attracting fabulous and interesting prospects, women seem to be much more successful than men. This is largely because communicating comes natural to women, but it’s a skill most men admit they find challenging. Since we have a seemingly innate way with words, promoting ourselves with style and flair is a cinch.

Guys, you’re not so lucky. Many of you struggle tremendously with online dating and have yet to figure out what it takes to make the Internet work for you in the area of romantic relationships.

All too often I hear about men who get on the Net and make fools of themselves. Either they say all the wrong things or they don’t say enough of the right things. In spite of your best intentions, many of you don’t have the vaguest idea of what women want in a man. You compose ridiculous rants about how you love to drink beer and fish. You warn women that you aren’t in the mood to deal with drama, and all of this is laid out in the most pathetic display of spelling and punctuation a girl has ever seen.

Some of you spend an entire season on the bench and never get invited to the game. Others have gotten some play but have ticked off far more women than you’ve ever scored with because of bad manners or improper online etiquette.

No matter how you managed to flub things up, if you’ve made a bad impression online, you can recover. Wanna know how? Keep reading…..

“One of the coolest things about dating online is that

you really do get a second chance to make a first impression.”

If you are man enough to admit you have made a bad online impression, you’re halfway there. Many men are so stubborn and arrogant, they blame the world for their inability to meet a great gal. They continue to maintain an “it’s them not me” mentality, insisting Internet dating doesn’t work or that there aren’t any worthwhile women in cyberspace. The fact is, if you aren’t experiencing success with online dating, there is only one person to blame – you.

I say this with confidence because online dating is a proven method for finding love, and countless men and women in successful relationships met online. And I don’t just mean good-looking, athletic and accomplished people. This goes for all of us – big bellies and baldies, too!

So, you’ve acknowledged that you aren’t Rico Suave when it comes to making a good impression online and you need a little help, eh? Fantastic. Restoring your Net reputation is as easy as 1-2-3.

Start from scratch, change your screen names, put up some new pictures and begin anew. It’s that simple. Remember, do not take pictures of yourself in the mirror flexing your pecs. Get someone you trust to take some great pics of you in a natural setting.

This is the very first impression you’ll make in the mind of a lady prospect. Communicate one of your best qualities in your name, don’t be too cute and never imply sex innuendos.  Names like “Hot_Lips69” or “BigDaddy_1977” are out of the question. Yet, you wouldn’t believe how many men are really that ridiculous.

Same goes with junk like, “I_am_the_1_4U” or “MisterRight777.” Choose something that includes your first name like, “Dave_the_Stargazer”  or “John_Loves_Dogs.” This may seem silly but that is what women are looking for — something that makes you stand out from the other 100 guys blowing up their inbox.

What better way to find out what women want than to ask a woman! Allow them to help you compose your profile by giving them permission to proofread and honestly critique what you come up with. Be open to constructive criticism and make changes accordingly. Lean more toward trusting your girlfriends than your own judgment. After all, your best intentions are what got you here.

One of the coolest things about dating online is that you really do get a second chance to make a first impression. Just because you haven’t mastered the art of creating the perfect profile, it doesn’t mean you can’t learn, and just because you have yet to meet anyone special online, it doesn’t mean you won’t.

If in the future you find yourself in this same predicament and you have once again created a bad impression online, repeat steps one through three and give it another go. It may take you a few tries, but you’ll get it right and soon enough, you’ll land Miss_Right_4_Ever. Good luck!