If you want to have a successful first online dating, you need to follow certain guidelines. These include: avoiding being too clingy, making light jokes and giving your date space.

Women find guys with a sense of humor attractive. So, be sure to make them laugh in your first message.

1. Start off on the right foot

There’s an old saying that you need to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince, and that might be particularly true in the online dating world. But there’s a whole lot more to dating than just the numbers game, and buying into that myth will only guarantee cognitive overload and burnout.

Don’t forget that it takes time to build trust and chemistry. Take your time and exchange a reasonable amount of messages before meeting someone in person, and don’t be afraid to ask for a date if you feel comfortable doing so. Also, remember that people lie on their profiles all the time — it’s not uncommon to be catfished or run into a “false positive” online. This can happen to the most reputable of users, so do your research and don’t take it personally.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for a date

Meeting a date in person for the first time can feel awkward and sometimes people are unsure how to handle it. This is why it is important to be able to communicate effectively, and to ask for a date in an appropriate way.

For example, some people may not be comfortable with a hug or might want to wait until they get to know the other person better. Similarly, some may prefer to sit next to someone instead of right in front of them.

Other simple things that can make a difference include varying vocal intonation, being present and dropping subtle indirect hints about a second date. It’s also good to have back up plans in case your first date is not quite what you expected. And it’s important to remember that success in dating doesn’t come in one sweep.

Many people have trouble figuring out what to say to each other, especially when they’re not sure how well they will connect with someone. But if you’re able to talk about something that both of you like, it can make the date more interesting and memorable.

5. Give your date space

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that dating (especially online dating) is a numbers game, and that you’ll have more success by going on a lot of dates. That can be a dangerous way to approach dating, however.

When you’re meeting someone for the first time after dating online, it is important to give them space and respect their boundaries. Don’t get too close or touch them, and avoid talking about topics that make them uncomfortable. These are all important things to remember when meeting an online date in person for the first time.

It’s also a good idea to do some research before your date, such as a reverse image search. While it may seem creepy, it can help you stay safe and ensure that the person you’re meeting is who they say they are. And if it turns out that they’re not, then you can cut the date short without feeling bad.

6. Be in control

You’re in charge of the whole thing, and it’s your opportunity to show them who you are. It’s also an opportunity to give them a chance to get to know you better before making any commitments. As much as possible, be honest with them and be sure not to fall for any tricks that they might use.

7. Look at it as a learning experience, not a chore

One of the biggest mistakes people make when online dating is thinking of it as a numbers game. It’s true that you have a better chance of finding a match if you put yourself out there more, but that means you can also end up with more bad dates than good ones.