Written by: Trea Tijmens, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
With documentaries like Netflix’s "Tinder Swindler” and shows like MTV’s „Catfish“, it can feel like navigating the online dating world is more trouble than it’s worth. As a certified matchmaker and dating expert, I believe the opposite is true.
Online Dating Is the New Norm
Let’s get real about dating. The truth is that most singles do not meet enough new people in real life for dating. Being able to start the online dating through apps like Tinder and Bumble is a game changer for those seriously looking for love.
Online dating, especially since the pandemic, is the new normal, and it is true that the pros of dating online or on dating apps far outweigh the cons when searching for love.
It can be an amazing way to streamline the dating process and meet new people, especially as you’re getting started. Read here for my 3 Tips for Virtual Dating as a First Step to Meeting the Right Partner. Over 90% of all singles would hardly have any dates at all if it were not for online dating and dating apps!
My Top 3 Tips to Start Dating Without Getting Scammed:
Most people on dating apps are genuinely looking for a connection, so don’t be deterred by the horror stories. That being said, you still need to be cautious when online dating. Here are the basics for online dating safety:
1. Be careful with your profile text and photos.
‘Looking to share adventures with someone who makes me laugh’ may seem open and friendly, but it can read as an open invitation to just about anyone. It’s vague enough that any sort of opening will ‘connect’ with you.
Make sure your photos do not show an extremely high-end lifestyle. You do not want to attract people who are more interested in what you have or represent than in you as a person.
2. Watch out for ‘love bombing.’
Relationships that seem too good to be true at first, lavish attention and gifts, invitations to a private plane after knowing you for an hour, etc. should all be seen as red flags.
If you haven’t shared anything about yourself yet, it doesn’t make sense that a man says he could see himself spending his life with you. Keep both feet on the ground.
Create momentum and keep momentum but take the time to get to know each other better. If it’s true love, then there will be plenty of time for all of that in the future.
3. Pay attention to your behavior.
A huge red flag was that the women from the documentary didn’t share with their families, or anyone they were asked for money because they knew that their friends/family would think they were crazy, which is how things got deeper and deeper out of control.
Have someone, a friend/sister/parent who you feel safe sharing your relationships with and if there is something you know you are keeping from them about one of your relationships then ask yourself, why?
Thousands of singles have found their life partners on dating apps and have created amazing lives together
Keep both feet on the ground and focus on the positive of what it can bring as you look for love. If you’re still single and ready to find true long lasting love, click here to get my free Masterclass, Why are you still single?
Trea Tijmens, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Trea Tijmens, the CEO of www.successmatch.ch, is an international elite matchmaker and award-winning dating expert and coach.
Trea believes that to love and be loved is a basic human need and that people do not thrive without love.
A former head-hunter, she founded SuccessMatch in 2005. Based in Switzerland, she works with local and international clientele and prides herself on her high success rate.
Trea is passionate about helping her highly international single professional clientele transition from where they are today to where they want to be; in a happy, fulfilling, lasting relationship with the right partner!