5 Things Singles Should Know Before Hiring a Matchmaker — Featuring Cinqe

Online dating has been hailed as a modern matchmaker, but the technology has yet to replace traditional matchmakers in the industry. It’s true that a swiping app can put singles in touch with a ton of local dates, but the recommendations are impersonal, the profiles sometimes contain falsehoods, and app users have to put in work to turn an online match into a real-life date.

Modern singles have a lot going on in their lives, and they don’t always have the time or energy to devote to digital dating activities. That’s why professional dating services remain relevant and popular. A professional matchmaker can provide introductions without any swiping or online chatting — or ghosting.

Cinqe is an elite matchmaking firm that launched in 2011 (one year before Tinder went online), and the highly skilled team has found success by offering a hassle-free service that connects quality single professionals.

Here are 5 things you should know before deciding to hire a matchmaker to help your love life.

One of the biggest perks of becoming a matchmaking client is the personalized support. You’re no longer alone in the hunt for dates. Singles can rely on the sound judgment and experience of professional matchmakers who can vet potential dates.

The best matchmakers typically recruit two types of members: date candidates and clients. Date candidates complete a free profile and wait for the chance to go out with a client. A matchmaking client has signed a contract and agreed to a membership that can last anywhere from one month to one year, depending on the service. If a matchmaker only pairs clients with clients, that’s usually a sign that date options are going to be limited.

Cinqe matchmakers meet with clients and date candidates to ensure the matchup is right. The preliminary interview includes questions about the person’s background, expectations, and goals. Clients also have the chance to express their interest in certain profiles, and the date will be arranged if the attraction is mutual.

“We are a boutique matchmaking firm. We work side by side with you to achieve your relationship goals,” the Cinqe team pledged. “We meet each one of our clients before we make any introductions and have a nearly 100% matching success rate for premium members.”

Women can join the Cinqe matchmaking network for free, but only active clients are guaranteed to meet compatible dates based on the criteria they give the matchmakers. Matches are unlimited for paid Cinqe members.

Online dating can take a toll on a single person’s mental health. Many working professionals dislike how time-consuming and stressful it can be to look for compatible dates in a superficial swiping scene. And there are few quality guarantees along the way.

That’s the difference between matchmaking and online dating. Matchmakers take on the burden of looking for dates and maintain high standards when onboarding single people. The goal is to create a luxury experience where clients only have to worry about showing up on the date and making a good impression in person.

“The majority of people who come to us are used to outsourcing. They tend to be quite successful,” said Cinqe matchmaker Annie Garmendia. “Many are disenchanted with the online dating process, and they look for something more customized because they value their time.”

Matchmakers tend to put in double shifts as dating coaches and advise their clients throughout their membership — and sometimes beyond. It’s pretty common to hear stories about matchmakers who keep in touch with former clients, even after they’ve gotten into relationships.

At Cinqe, the team makes an effort to form a personal connection with the singles who enlist their services. The matchmakers give out their private phone numbers and encourage clients to text or call if they have anything they want to talk about.

“Unlike other matchmaking companies, we offer our clients 24/7 availability and weekly chats. We are always available to answer any questions you may have, as well as to just be a friendly, comforting hand in navigating you through your dating life.”

A professional matchmaker can offer dating coaching services to help clients grow into the best possible version of themselves. The goal isn’t simply to send a single person on as many dates as possible but to ensure the client is ready for love and knows how to create a meaningful connection on a date.

Matchmakers take the dating experience to the next level by adding a layer of accountability. They follow up with both individuals after the first date and ask how it went. Those conversations provide good insights into what single men and women are looking for in their matches.

Singles can master first date etiquette and hone their conversational skills by consulting with a professional who has gotten feedback from the other side. Maybe talking about an ex was a turn-off, or maybe there was an issue paying for the bill. A matchmaker can deliver constructive takeaways based on the post-date chat.

Online dating apps typically don’t solicit feedback on matches once the date has occurred, but this is a crucial step in the matchmaking business.

The Cinqe matchmakers told us they use the information from the post-date feedback session to improve their matching strategy for next time. That means that every date is a learning experience for everyone involved, and the experience gets better with time and practice.

“Our clients get feedback from dates that a lot of people don’t get,” Annie explained. “We’ll be able to tell you what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong on a date. It’s matching and coaching. You have a wing person who is in your corner.”

Finally, singles should know that they’re not locked into a never-ending membership when they choose a matchmaker. Most reputable companies, like Cinqe, will provide options for the best-case scenario where a date turns into a relationship. Clients can usually request a pause in matches while they date someone exclusively. Some matchmakers will limit a client to one or two freezes, so be sure to ask about that before signing on the dotted line.

The Cinqe team focuses on working with singles for the long haul of the dating experience and offers memberships that last six months or longer.

“Finding love takes time. Scheduling matches specialized for you can take weeks and months,” the team explained. “We also understand that you are a busy bee, which means some months you may not be available for a date.”

Singles have to put in a lot of effort to get a date through a site or app. Not only do they have to determine which profiles to like, but they also have to maintain chats and ask for dates. Hiring a matchmaker can save adult singles a lot of time and stress. A professional will put in the hours to screen prospective dates for compatibility, so all the client has to do is approve the match and show up for the first date.

Cinqe has streamlined its matchmaking system to help busy singles navigate the dating world with greater confidence and success.

“It’s growth and self-development in addition to finding the love of your life,” Annie said. “We’re not taught to be in relationships, but when you hire a matchmaker with experience, we know the dating game better than most people so we’re able to tell you what to do.”

If you’re tired of endless swiping and want to find a happily-ever-after ending, consider hiring a matchmaker at Cinqe or another elite company. That way, you’ll get all the benefits of having professional and hands-on assistance in one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life.