Should Women Write to Men?
- Flirting, Meeting Men, Online Dating
Dear Evan,
I just read your post regarding internet dating. Very interesting points you make and I agree with most of them.
Here is my question: Are men ok with women sending introductory emails to them? I am very confused about this point. In some ways, I see a email hello similar to a come-hither look at a bar, etc. but in other ways it seems very aggressive and therefore a turnoff to most men. I would love your thoughts on this.
Thanks.
Jane
Dear Jane,
Your question brings up two of the most common mistakes that women make in online dating:
1) Waiting for Men to Write to You First
2) Telling Him What You Like About His Profile
First things first:
Men LOVE it when women write to them. It makes their lives so much easier. If you have an attractive photo, interesting essay, and you’re in his target demographic, why WOULDN’T he be excited to hear from you? You may be on his Favorites list but he hasn’t had the opportunity to contact you yet. So yes, Jane, don’t hesitate to contact that guy you’ve been eyeing. There is nothing inherent about initiating an email conversation that screams out “desperate”. However…
Where most women screw up that first email contact is by taking one of two approaches: 1) telling him how great he is, or 2) explaining why you’re great and why he should write back to you.
“But…doesn’t that just about cover it? What else could I possibly say?”
Presuming you’ve had a man write to you before, is it really all that interesting when he tells you that he thinks you’re cute? Is there something particularly energizing in the phrase, “I think we have a lot in common”? Is it really all that intriguing when he explains why he’s a good partner for you, even though you haven’t met? Even if a guy reads your entire profile and respond to one specific line, do you really get excited by a man who says, “I notice you like skiing. I enjoy Breckenridge.”
Nah.
Then why would you write an email like that to a man?
I’m really grateful, Jane, that you made that connection between a first email and a come-hither look at a bar. That is EXACTLY the metaphor I use for private clients in describing the “tone” you want to capture in your initial contact. You’d never hit on a guy at a bar by walking up to him and telling him that he’s cute, he seems nice, and that you’d like to buy him a drink. So why would you write an email that does the same thing?!
If you want to meet a man at a bar, you cross the room, plant yourself eight feet to his diagonal, wait for eye contact and smile. Once you smile, it’s his job to come over. While you might have “made the first move”, you’re still in control, since he has to approach you.
Same thing online.
Emails that tell a man that he’s interesting are dull.
Emails that tell a man that you hope he writes back are weak.
Find the tone that shows that he’d be lucky to have you – and maybe he’ll feel lucky to have you.
It’s a bit counterintuitive, but if your first instinct is to compliment him and explain your value, you’re not demonstrating that you have any value.
Once you put a man on a pedestal, he’s automatically looking down at you.
Once you tell him how great he is, he doesn’t know why he should write back.
So yes, Jane, you should totally write to the guy. But the tone of that email should be flirty, funny, and challenging – the same as the email from a man that gets your attention.
POSTSCRIPT
As to HOW to do something like that, here’s a link to my Finding the One Online program, which spends a full hour explaining how to email people online. Hope it clarifies things a bit.
Loverville says
Evan,
Can you give an example of what would be an effective e-mail for a woman to write to a man?
Eg, say you both have a love for adventure travel — you see that he’s been trekking in Nepal, and has visited the Amazon… things you have in common.
Just wondering!
Thanks!
LV
Joey says
What a STUPID question. What is this, 1956????? Should women write to men?? Oh my god…that must mean a woman is EASY(!) Ha!! For as far as women have come in jobs, money, social status does this question even need to be asked?? If I was a woman, I’d be totally insulted. It’s E-MAIL people, not a marriage proposal, not a trip to Europe, not a boquet of roses. Geez…I can’t believe what a bunch of wusses we’ve become….hey everybody (men and women)…GROW SOME, and GROW UP!!! If you like the person, TELL THEM!! Don’t worry about tone, style, and any of that crap. If honesty scares them off, is that the kind of person you’d really want to be with anyway?? Think, McFly, Think!!! If the person has been on internet dating sites for any time at all, they’ll be grateful to get ANY responses.
Stephen Cordova says
Thank you Joey seriously. It’s electronics and the internet, if you don’t like someone block them, they’re not in your house headed for your bedroom, it’s a freaking email or message! Also if a woman likes a man enough to want to talk to him, online, write to that mofo. He probably hasent found you yet and that’s why he hasent said anything to you. In real life it’s a little different, all a man needs in real life is a stare and a smile. Online people are practically hidden so make some noise and call attention to yourself or chances are you’ll never be found.
Tracey says
Joey!
I could not agree with you more!
Neri says
Think, McFly, think! Hahaha, nice
Michael Ejercito says
Of course women should write to men.
As long as it is the right words.
A-L says
I decided to try Evan’s e-mailing technique but my results were less than thrilling. My response rate plummeted, and I’ve gone back to writing my usual style of e-mail. I never send the generic e-mails we all love to hate, and it’s always individualized to the guy’s profile. I’ve recently decided to try writing in the style of e-mail that I LOVE to receive (I saved the favorite e-mail I’ve ever received) to see if that’ll work but it may be too early too tell. Perhaps getting that sent from a girl sends off the vibe that I’m too interested in him.
Overall, though, I’d say that the e-mail should truly be your voice, because that’s what they’ll get in your profile, and in all other communications. Helps build truth in advertising, which is always desireable in online dating.
Supporter says
“…I’ve decided to write in the style of e-mail that I LOVE to receive…”
I’m replying to your comment both to praise you (in your proactive approach) but also to mention that since men and women have different ways to experience life it is perhaps not such a good idea to approach men the way YOU like to be approached.
For better results your emails should be tailored to men’s minds, unfortunately I can’t be of help there and you’ll have to do a bit more reading on the subject.
Keep on being proactive.
j. says
Easy just say what you are thinking no beating around the bush, men don’t.
Avi says
Ok so I have super cute photos that don’t show too much (i actually wear sunglasses and fairly modest in the full body, but still make me look extremely flirty and sensual and show off my legs) so I will start by saying that is likely the deciding factor for men to respond. They always want to see my eyes.
As for writing a man first, I ALWAYS do this because I look for a specific kind of guy (I search for PHDs because so many men online are not smart and I am a sapiophiñe)
The most effective thing is to tease or make a random comment that is slightly offensive. Sometimes too challenging can offend some men … i have definitely gone overboard and turned men off…but in my opinion those who are too touchy aren’t worth my time so I am happy to lose a few uptight guys.
But generally if you keep it light playful but still bordering on “unsafe” as in something random, cheeky, teasing, or kind of crazy in a fun way, men will always respond to that.
I think there are so many boring people who act so proper and “I’m so happy and fulfilled I have a perfect life” and play it too safe in love… being different, edgy and even a bit weird piques interest.
Just stay away from
Negativity
Overt hostility
Insulting their jobs
Being too into your head and going on a super rant
I have accidentally made those mistakes because the tone doesn’t carry as well…
I have also made the mistake of texting and going too far with some of my shit… the trick is to fast slow it… in other words after he responds and you tell him you think he’s full of shit, to then alternate by being more sweet, or slow it down. Don’t leep going on and trying to be funny or witty. It works for the response but if you don’t switch it up with a dose of wide eyed appreciation he might lose interest. If he has options anyway
I also made the mistake of telling a man he seems perfect. He ignores me after writing a few polite replies.
I try to be sweet and tht backfires. The best recipe is a little openness curiosity respect and admiration for HiM
Combined with a healthy dose of I don’t give two fucks and don’t even think about getting handsy on the first date or I will ghost you
My other advice is definitely accuse him of not being who he says, or married, Because
1) this will scare away fakes and there are many
2) the real ones will be motivated to prove themselves
For example in my search I find a lot of so called “doctors”. Many of them I suspect are lying about their career. But the 2 that are not definitely enjoyed hearing:
“I suspect you are lying about being a doctor so you can impress women.” And “ Cut the BS.” Or a real doctor wouldn’t this. Just whatever strikes me as possibly wrong a out his profile I let him know that I could be insanely iñattracted to him if it weren’t for he fact he is probably a catfish
I do the same thing to other professionals where it fits. Men love hearing that you don’t believe them that they are so awesome and accomplished, but thar you are really desiring them to show you a thing or two!
I am a master of getting the man to call but I tell you where I struggle… in the texting calling phase I don’t always get to the date… and than is more complicated has to do with my intimacy fears while over sharing and then pushing the man away. Not fun.
But I think a good strategy to deal with this is to keep the texts and talks short. I am not a person who struggles finding things to say… I am a person who says too much and struggles to shove the toothpaste back in the tube.
So I guess this would be different for others… but my motto if the guy is not making plans to see me after we talk then I stop texting. And i tell him that if he wants to prove he is who he says he is he needs to bring it in person
Muffy says
When is this scenario ever going to change? It’s 2009 and we’re still stuck someplace in ancient history. I’m so tired of it being all about the guy. “Position yourself 8 feet and 3 inches from his visibility and see if he notices you” are you kidding me? I don’t care about history….the man is the hunter and the woman is the nester. Right. We are living in a society now where men have sex with each other every day and are frequently more intrigued by each other or themselves in the mirror than they are by a woman. So, if a woman is interested in a man and he doesn’t have the capability or “sac” to appreciate that a woman would approach him then I think he should just stay home with his mirror and admire himself all night. It’s like someone who wouldn’t join any club that would have him as a member. I think it’s pathetic that people still preach that women should wait for a man to approach them. Hey guys! It’s not all about you!! Yuck. Sorry. Rubs me the wrong way. This makes women not even want to date men or look at them for fear that their already over inflated egos might just explode!!!!!
Muffy´s last blog post…What’s with guys wearing “skinny jeans”?
downtowngal says
Evan, I agree w Loverville – can you provide examples? Though I agree w your approach, I’m not sure exactly what you’re getting at here…
Online dating has really made things more confusing, imho. Since when did creative writing skills become a prerequisite for dating (right up there w fresh breath and neat hair)?
And at the end of the day, you meet the person and often time he/she seems very different from what’s presented/how you perceived the profile.
Evan Marc Katz says
Examples of my email techniques, including “Fun Fiction” and “Opinion Openers” are included on the CDs and the workbook for FindingTheOneOnline.
http://www.findingtheoneonline.com
Trust me; my clients LOVE it.
Evan
Michael Ejercito says
So, if a woman is interested in a man and he doesn’t have the capability or “sac” to appreciate that a woman would approach him then I think he should just stay home with his mirror and admire himself all night.
Evan’s advice about “Position yourself 8 feet and 3 inches from his visibility and see if he notices you” is about control instead of avoiding any offense.
Control is important to maintain in relationships.
Cilla says
“Control is important to maintain in relationships.”
This is why the dating world is so f***ed up right now.
Appropriate boundaries. Happiness. Personal integrity. Self esteem. Cameraderie. Physical attraction. I thought these were the things important to maintain in relationships…
The minute you start worrying about who is in control (who has “hand” as George Costanza would say), ironically, you have actually lost control and have given your power to someone else. Planting yourself 8 feet from some guy’s 2:00 and hoping he’ll notice you is pathetically passive. Since many people still feel the need to play this game, it’s one of the reasons I don’t go to bars to meet men. I can’t even begin to say how ugly it can get if you keep worrying about who has the power later in a relationship.
I agree with Muffy–we’ve taken this whole caveman/hunter thing too far, given the society we now live in. We’ve made men out to be these uncontrollable, need-to-be-in-charge, everything-about-me neanderthals who can’t keep their flies closed, but it’s OK because it’s just biology. Yuck is right.
I’ve written to plenty of men online, and had a long-term relationship develop out of one email I initiated. But equating sending an email to a come hither look? Isn’t that what the “wink” function is for?
I say emailing a guy first is no different than buying him a drink–which, by the way, I’ve had plenty of men tell me is an incredible turn on for them. Maybe it’s different as you age? Is it possible that men find it too aggressive to have a 20-something approach them but are OK with a 40-something doing it? If the guy is considerably younger than the woman, does that play a role? I think we are in a very fluid time in the anthropological history of dating, and the rules are constantly changing. Obsessing about control and adhering to hard and fast rules may not work the way it used to… Just my .02.
Stephen Cordova says
Thank you Cilla! This old way of thinking crap only happens in the USA. In other countries like Europe and Japan, Women love being women and they love men being men and they tell you this. In the USA people seem more confused then ever. Get your head out of your ass and act like you have nothing to lose because the only thing you’ll lose is a chance with someone you deiced you didnt like anyway when you meet them.
Sayanta says
Actually, Evan- I’m glad I came across this post again- a few years ago, I would’ve thought- no way! Let the guys contact me first. Ah, how necessity pushes one out of the comfort zone.
It’s so funny- reading the online dating posts- because my online experience seems to parallel men’s, for some bizarre reason. I write to guys first, almost always get responses, leading to dates (or at least a phone call from him)- but I almost never get e-mails from dudes first. Just winks. These women who get “100s” of e-mails that I read about, who the heck are they?
sayanta says
Oh…it’s so funny, I had to find this post because the girls who wrote “The Rules” (No, I’m not an advocate, I just think it’s entertainment) say (surprise!) never never write a guy first.
I think it would be interesting to compare the women who end up in relationships with guys they e-mailed vs. the ones who got e-mailed first. For me, the ones I’ve e-mailed end up flaking out after a couple of e-mails. At the same time, I have friends who are married to guys they e-mailed first.
So…what’s been the experience here of the women post-ers?
Evan Marc Katz says
By definition Sayanta, you’re going to have a much higher “success rate” with men who emailed you first because THEY EMAILED YOU FIRST, professing their interest. Any time you reach out and cold call someone, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. But if you’re not receiving emails from men you want, the ONLY things you can do are improve your profile/photos to attract more men and higher quality men, and start writing funny, confident emails to those who interest you. If you write to 10 cute guys and 3 email back, I’d that the venture should be considered a success.
Jenn says
Yes, but would they then pursue you as rigorously as if they had emailed you? I think not. Every guy I’ve ever emailed may have replied, but he’s never shown as much interest as men who’ve contacted me first. I want guys who really want me and have the potential to be crazy about me. That doesn’t happen when I make the first move. It never has.
Evan Marc Katz says
You have a very limited sample size, Jenn. And you’ve probably never written an email the Finding the One Online way – flirty, funny, confident. Once a guy responds to you, it doesn’t matter who wrote to whom first. I don’t care if you only use half of online dating (which is to say, by not writing to men first), but please don’t tell me that the very thing I’ve been teaching effectively for 10 years doesn’t work. It does. You just haven’t done it.
Avi says
It depends on if he finds you attractive and how you make contact first. Personally I always have good chemistry with the men I choose. Whereas the men who have pursued me the hardest have been duds. Actually it’s on my list of red flags: men that are too over eager
If your message doesn’t come across as over eager or otherwise turning a man off, then it’s your photos.
There is data from online dating to suggest the top 10% of handsome males get 60% of responses from women or something… it’s possibly many women are going for the best men and he has his pick… of course he will choose the most attractive.
I search for PhDs because while that hasn’t been a guarantee they will be interesting it’s a good start. Either that or search for men with common interests but don’t lead with “OMG WE HAVE THIS IN COMMON” it looks desperate…. let him discover u have things in common by reading your interests. Instead write something that is flirty fun and kind of sassy. Challenge him. Tell hincha you bet he is too much of a wuss to meet in person. Probably uglier than his photos and no sex drive. Beautiful words lile this deeply touch the soul of a man.
A-L says
Sayanta, I’m pretty sure I already told you this, but I e-mailed my guy first. He’s marrying me. Does that count as an e-mail success?
sayanta says
A-L-
Yeah- I remember that- I was just curious as to what the experience might be for a number of other women as well.
Evan-
Well…so far it’s been like this- the number of guys who have written me has been…pretty much non-existent. However, I’ve written about…20 guys? About 15 have enthusiastically answered back….the problem? half the time the e-mails end up going back and forth with no actual date of meeting panning out. So…I don’t know, if the guys are actually writing me back, something in my profile must be intriguing them- but just not enough to meet up or e-mail first?
hmmm….maybe I should stop beginning my profile with a literature quote. 😉
Karl R says
sayanta said: (#14)
“I’ve written about…20 guys? About 15 have enthusiastically answered back….the problem? half the time the e-mails end up going back and forth with no actual date of meeting panning out.”
For every three emails you send out, you’re getting one first date? That’s a much better response rate than most guys achieve. I never came close in online dating.
sayanta says
Karl…well, not exactly- 15 (maybe I’m a couple short on the numbers)guys responded- four guys made it to the ‘let’s meet up’ level (not the guys I was hoping to get a ‘meet’ with, but that’s Evan’s other post, on liking the people who like you….lol).
2 of them, I changed my mind about, because, this is going to sound weird, but when I talked to them on phone…I got a very…off vibe about them, and I was getting nervous at the idea of meeting them, which, I strongly believe was more than ‘first’ date jitters.
The other two…one date with one dude, the other flaked out at the last minute.
So, 15 guys e-mail back, I get to ‘meet’ level with one. Minus the 2 who I decided not to see, and the one who flaked, there’s 11 that have just disappeared after a couple of e-mails.
So…maybe I’m being narcissistic here- it’s okay to call me out if that’s the case. lol Maybe I’m expecting too much- I don’t know. Maybe I should be e-mailing a hundred guys instead of 20- who knows?
All I know is my friend who is a ’10’ in the looks department e-mailed 30 guys, some of whom never wrote back (????- She’s a friggin’ 10!!), and met her mate after the 31st e-mail. I’m a ‘7’- an ‘8’ when I’m made up, hair blown out- so obviously my numbers need to be higher than hers.;-p
A-L says
Sayanta,
How many guys are you e-mailing at a time? Are you sending out 20 e-mails a week and then corresponding with 15 that week? Or are you e-mailing 10 a week and corresponding with 7? Or a different set of numbers?
When I was doing the online dating thing I found it difficult to have good e-mail with more than 3-5 guys at a time. Good e-mail qualifying as being able to maintain quick response times, remembering details from the correspondence, etc. Is it possible that you’re e-mailing with so many guys that they don’t feel a lot of personal attention, and therefore don’t devote enough interest to developing a possible relationship?
sayanta says
A-L-
You know…that’s a very good point!
No, it was about 20 in one week- almost all of the e-mails were “I like your profile. Check mine out if you want.” I know, deeply uncreative. Ironically, the few that I did get ‘creative’ with never wrote back…lol.
I suppose I’m lucky that I got responses at all, taking your response into consideration.
I think also…I’m getting put off when guys don’t make any mention about meeting up by the second e-mail. Also…I think I’m like the most recent post-er (‘freeze out’ girl), where I get annoyed if a guy doesn’t respond right away.
Reading my own post, I think I’ve got serious ADD when it comes to online dating. Great, more issues to work on! :-p
Selena says
LOL Sayanta! Well, I love you. 🙂
sayanta says
Thanks Selena! Same here- I just love the good vibes on this blog. 🙂
BeenthereDonethat says
@ Sayanta
I totally trust my instincts – if I get a weird vibe from the phone conversations, I follow that. OR at any time during the “getting to know someone” phase.
Also, the guys I’ve had the most success with were ones in which we had a lot of talking/emailing before actually meeting were ones where we talked a lot before actually meeting. Interestingly, these guys – the ones where we did talk for months before our face to face meeting – we are still good friends. Not that I recommend months, those just happened due to logistics, one guy was leaving the state for a couple of months just as we started to get to know each other and the other guy was super shy. Anyway, my point is I’ve met people quickly (after one email) and slowly (a couple of months) and the slowly seems to produce a more genuine relationship. So don’t stress if they don’t move really fast.
A-L says
Sayanta & Selena, can I join in the love fest? Because I love y’all too!
And I have to echo BTDT about the speed of e-mails. With one notable exception, I never corresponded with anyone for months before meeting them. But I’d say I probably exchanged 3-4 e-mails with a guy before setting up a date. In fact, I’d probably have felt kind of rushed if he’d asked me out on the 2nd e-mail (assuming he had begun the correspondence). Of course, to each her own. But I’m sure you’ll end up doing great on the dating scene, Sayanta.
Selena says
Ofcourse you can join the love fest A_L! (((Hugs)))
Have you set a wedding date yet?
sayanta says
thanks guys, that’s some really great advice here. I have to admit, I think my mother’s constant pressure to have me find a husband soon is taking its toll on the online dating scene.
But anyway…I’ve blabbed enough about myself.
A-L- that’s true, what season are you going to be married in? Have you guys picked a honeymoon site yet? 🙂
sayanta says
Oh- Sorry again for the double post, Evan, I promise I’ll stop after this one.
I just realize, BTDT and A-K- the one guy I did see- I got all flattered because he wanted to meet me RIGHT away- couldn’t wait, didn’t want to talk on the phone or anything. (red flag, right? but the leo in me couldn’t resist this).
Well, at least the guy was hot. But that’s…um pretty much it. I’ve never been out with someone so, sorry to sound mean, but the dude was really desperate- within 5 minutes, he was asking if we were going to have a second date, third etc. And…he was nice, but definitely one of those people not comfortable in their own skin. And those kind of people end up making ME uncomfortable!
So..yeah, looks like that is a red flag.
PS- I know I’m making a generalization…but I’ve noticed that sometimes the men who don’t want to talk on the phone end up having heavy foreign accents, while in e-mail/and on the profile, they gave off the impression of being born and bred American.
A-L says
Thanks, Selana! November 21st is the big day (we’ve been engaged since February which is why I went on hiatus from EMK’s blog…too busy getting the wedding planning underway).
Too bad we don’t live in the same area so we might actually meet up in real life. Of course, I know some people prefer to keep their anonymity. But the regular posters definitely seem like very cool types. So I’d like to hang out with y’all.
Tom says
I’m glad someone finally agrees with me! I’ve hear so much advice that a women should not contact a guy. I’ve always advised women to do the exact opposite – if you like someone, go for it!
Di says
I have to laugh at the guys who think that this is a ridiculous question and that women should absolutely message them. I’ve messaged quite a few guys who are looking–or *say* that they’re looking–for a woman just like me. Yes, I’m pretty. Yes, I’m well-written (some guys have gotten very excited about how intelligent I seem, which tells me something about the “competition”). When I write to a guy, I keep it short and sweet. I bring up something in the profile and I ask a question that I’m genuinely interested in receiving an answer to. Unfortunately, those men never reply. Based on my limited experience, it seems to me that a guy who is interested *will* send a message, and those who aren’t, well, they’ll move on.
abigail says
I totally agree. A woman doesn’t need to write anything…a smiley or a view is enough to get the man to write in my experience… If he’s interested he will & if he’s not why would i waste my time? In my opinion women are better off investing energy AFTER a committed relatonship
Lily says
Reading this article was having a person stop giving you oral sex right before the orgasm.
Okay, so you’ve told us what NOT to write. How about some examples of what TO write?
Evan Marc Katz says
http://www.findingtheoneonline.com
SparklingEmerald says
I just can’t bring myself to e-mail a guy first. I am very sensitive to the whole “male led courtship” thing, and do not want to come off as chasing after a man. I thought I’d dip my toe in the water by making a guy a “favorite” or at the most, commenting on an interesting photo in his profile. The only guys who have ever responded to me putting them on my favorite list, led to HORRIBLE first meetings. I guess they just responded to my putting them on a favorite list out of curiosity. After a few e-mails & phone calls, our first (and only) meet & greet were the pits. They acted the way a guy acts if his mother pressures him to go on a blind date with the daughter of one her bowling league friends. It was horrible. If a guy thinks my pics and profile are cute, he will reach out to me. If he didn’t reach out to me, he’s just not that into me, and cutest, funniest, flirtiest e-mail in the world won’t change that.
I am pretty much done with the liars, losers and player that I meet through online dating. I signed up for a very pricey match making service, where they personally interview, & background check everyone and THEY take the profile photos, so there can be no BSing with old photos, no topless selfies in the bathroom mirror, and no bullshitting about age.
They even offered me a second year membership for $1 if I’m not married or engaged in one year, which wasn’t necessarily my goal, but honestly, if one year at a matchmaking service for designed for relationship oriented people doesn’t work for me, then I think I’ll just take the dollar and buy a lottery ticket. I think the odds would be better.
Jocelyn says
I wrote first to my fiancé on OkCupid. He had made a joke in his profile about Jack and Rose from Titanic both getting on the door, and I sent him a link to the MythBusters episode where they proved the board wasn’t buoyant enough. He fortunately took this as a sign that I was interested (I was) instead of just an almighty know-it-all, and sent back some cheesy Titanic pick-up lines. My profile was equally as brash as my opener, and he admitted about a year into dating that he’d read it and skipped over it, so it turns out we were both very lucky I had initiated contact. 🙂
Shell L says
I don’t like writing to guys first. I find my best dates come from the ones who pursue me. My worst dates were ones that I initiated (and I mean some really bad dates guys). A conversation that I initiate is more likely to end up in a dead too. Just my experience. I rather spend my time on people who express enough interest in me to the point where they feel compelled to write me a message.
Christine says
I think this is a good introductory email to send to a guy just by reading this blog:
“Hi I’m Christine, I just want your opinion on something. Do you think it’s good thing for females to email guys first? Is it flattering or is it a turn off? If it is a turn off please disregard reading this email and delete…then I will wait for yours”
Hahaha, just thought of it now lol! Maybe I’ll try it ??
mims says
A stranger in Europe I met gave me his e mail address – we met like twice. No touching.. chatting. I started the e mailing from America saying I landed safe and it seemed fantastic e mails every day and he was so cute, complimentary… so I flew back to Europe to see him thinking it was love, I know. Well, he was working evenings and the only time I saw him was when he visited the hotel for breakfast and for an hour after his shift to sit and talk at the hotel. I mean, it was a stupid thing to do but I learnt a lesson and want to pass it on. The e mailing thing can be very psychological. Daily e mails create a sense of closeness. But unless you are with the person in real time, don’t do it. He was nuts about a ‘friend’ and didn’t spend any more time with me than he had to to be polite. The ‘great’ week he talked of was not..he did nothing to entertain me locally and the sexy flirting was gone. He was not attracted and wouldn’t kiss. I cannot stress enough that you all need to be with real people in real time..for some time before you do the e mailing bullcrap. The illusion seems real but real is meeting that person often.
Willowandy says
Good things for me (man) is that:
You don’t write a really short message, a couple of paragraphs are great.
You have written a fair bit about yourself on your profile.
You ask one or two things to get started on.
Or the short version: Short messages and profiles are less attractive.
spook says
A Woman’s Advantage
The secret to success for women on OkCupid? Sending the first message.
https://theblog.okcupid.com/a-womans-advantage-82d5074dde2d
Joe says
I’ve been on Match 3 months. 42, 5-10 170, great job, house (but divorced after 10 year marriage, and we split custody of our 2 kids which are both marks against me I acknowledge)
I’ve emailed 100+ women 33-42, gotten maybe a couple responses and 0 dates. It’s really remarkable since I use the “reverse match” feature to email appropairate women. I’ve gotten about 15 emails and they’re all ugly, fat, older, or some combo of the 3.
If you’re a 5 looking for a 7 or 8 guy, online dating is a goldmine. If you’re a successful in-shape guy, run as fast as you can. Meet em in real life, so you can get a fair shake.
Mica says
I have decades of dating experience and now as a woman in her 50’s, times awasting and I email guys online all the time I think I may like. As Evan said go for volume. It’s like getting a job you don’t know which resume will hit.
I don’t write long messages just a quick hi, mention something we have in common or ask a question about their profile.
Men can be interesting. If they really end up liking you and are the alpha type often turn the tables and recall it them that wrote to you first or spoke to you, when you know you got the agile thing going.
Also sometimes its timing. You write to a guy he doesn’t respond yet you could email again to same person down the road and now they are responding they don’t even recall “meeting” you. We don’t really know where people are in their level of relationship readiness when approached.
Sure most women would like to be approached by a man yet why miss a possible connection or the chance to move on and say to yourself, not this one he isn’t ready for my specialness. That makes it a more manageable pool of the men who will appreciate your advances.
Mica says
I don’t like the idea of many months of correspondence before you meet. That can lead to such disappointment if it doesn’t work out. Quicker meeting, no big drive to meet up and fast coffee chat if not going well is better to assess chemistry and decide if will be seeing this person again or moving on.
April says
I was reading somewhere on Quora from some analytic guy who did analytics for match.com or something like that. Anyway his point was this- Is that men generally don’t respond to women who they perceive are smarter than they are. Women who write at a higher level than they would. Perhaps if you’re writing all these witty emails they feel that it’s just over their head and they don’t want to have to work that hard. Just a thought.