Meet People Online

(5 different ways to get started meeting people online)

1) Meet People Online - Using online dating services

This is the best way to meet people online. If you've ever wondered if you're ever going to find people you're truly compatible with then this is the way to do it. Why? Because, all online dating services force people to create a detailed profile so you can make sure you're actually going to like them before you've even said a word to them. If only it were that simple in real life!

The second reason for using online dating services to meet people is because you can quickly find all the people you will like, that live in your area -- instead of the other side of the planet!

2) Meet People Online - Internet Relay Chat

Internet Relay Chat (refered to as IRC) is a way to chat to people over the net using a internet relay chat client. People fall in love with this method of communication because of its immediacy. Another great thing about IRC is that it's free to use.

There are a few down-sides though. Unfortunately, it's hard to varify exactly who you're talking to. No one has a profile you can look over and so it takes a while to get to find someone you get on with really well.

The other problem is it's slightly more techinical than just surfing to an online dating service website. You have to download and install some software that will enable you to chat. You also have to set the software up by selecting the right chat server and channel to chat in.

3) Meet People Online - Instant Messenger.

Instant messenger applications have advanced incredibly over the last few years. The leaders have gripped technology with both hands to provide awsome communication tools. Many instant messenger applications, such as MSN messenger for example, allow the user to get truely interactive by attaching web cams and microphones.

The other great thing about many of the larger applications is that, similar to online dating services, the user can create a detailed profile. In some cases the users can even set up their own website attach it to their profile.

However, unlike many dating services, the user does NOT need to have any sort of a profile set up. Because of this, many potential "matches" easily slip through the net.

People also tend to set up their instant messenger applications simply to talk to their EXISTING friends, rather than to meet new people. Unfortunately this often means that initial contact attempts will be rejected or ignored, as that's not the reason they're online in the first place.

Like IRC, you will also need to download and install a chat client. This is pretty simple though and a bit easier than IRC as you wont need to deal with chat channels and weird servers etc. It's normally taken care of for you so you can get down to business.

Messenger packages to try: MSN Messenger, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo.

4) Meet People Online - By finding events offline!

This is often one of the most overlooked ways of meeting people. Simply use one of the great search engines to find an event that interests you. Go to the event and "bump into people" you like the look of.

Using search engines to find these events is also a great research tool. Not only can you find new events to go to - you can also find out what previous events have been like. This will increase your chances of meeting your kind of people.

5) Meet People Online - Search for an interest.

Focusing on the search engines again here. The idea is to find websites that interest you. Then look for matches that include forums. This is a great, but often overlooked, way to meet people online that have similar interests to yourself.

Another nice feature of forums is that many members will create online profiles to help you to get to know them. If they offer this information, don't overlook it. Join the forums, get active and get meeting new people!