Online Dating Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 2 - April
6, 2005
Click here to subscribe
Table of Contents
1. From the Editor
2. Creative Date Ideas: Helicopter
Rides
3. Online Dating Tips: Be What You
Say You Are
4. Relationship Tips: Admire Your Partner's
Differences
5. Relationship Quote of the Week
6. Inspirational Quote of the Week
7. Romantic Ideas: Love Letters by
Mail
8. News: Overseas Scammers Make Thousands
Per Victim
9. Feature Link: Creating a Better
Online Dating Photo
10. New "Clicking Together" Cartoon
From the Editor
- A True Disappointment
I love to see new online dating services enter the
marketplace that are serious about being different
and offering stellar customer service. That's one
reason I was excited in 2003 to hear about the launch
of Truebeginnings.com (now True.com),
because from the start I could tell they would be
different.
When True first
started, they did what many online dating services
do to get a large initial database
- they offered free charter subscriptions
to anyone who signed up with the service within the
first few months. Those who signed up had their membership
expiration date set to 2059 (basically a "lifetime"
free membership). As a result of spending a lot of
money on advertising and
offering
this free
charter subscription, True built
a database that allowed it to become a big player within
the industry. They
also offered free background screenings as part of
their service to help weed out married people (which
is a good thing since up to 30% of people on online
dating services are married) and criminals.
True offered a unique concept, good customer service
(in my early experiences with True, customer service
was very responsive), and a pleasant experience to
build itself into a major online dating service contender.
But somewhere along the line, it appears the force
started to part ways with True. Like Anakin Skywalker,
the service started to slowly be swayed by the dark
side.
In the past several months True has done three major
things, as I see it, to make me question how good its
service really is:
1) True has
started expiring those free memberships they promised
when the company first started. That's
right... True has
gone into their free "lifetime" membership
accounts and changed the year of expiration from
2059 to first quarter 2005. Many charter members
who helped
make True a
big online dating service have found themselves without
the ability to use the service anymore like
they used to. What's worse is that True's"customer
service" is of virtually no help to those who
write and complain. And to add insult to injury,
True says it will reinstate a charter member's "lifetime" membership
for $99! The free "lifetime" membership
they "gave" to
charter members now costs $99 if you want to continue
it. For the record, True maintains that it was never
its intention to keep charter memberships free for
a lifetime and the 2059 date was only entered because
they had to put a future date into the system.
2) True is
trying to force other online dating services to do
things its way. True has
started a legal state-by-state campaign to get states
to pass laws that force online
dating services to run background checks on all members.
True made
this move AFTER signing an EXCLUSIVE contract with
one of the largest online background check companies.
Ironically this has brought other major online dating
service competitors together in an effort to fight
True.
Other services say that forcing background checks
could make the process of online dating more
dangerous
because it would provide members with a false sense
of security and they would let down their guard.
True doesn't aggressively publicize to its members the
failure rate of their background checks. Perhaps
that should
be part of their "requirements". I think
True doing background checks is a great thing that
sets it apart from other services, but trying to
force other services through legal action to do it
too is,
overall, a bad idea. Every service is unique in its
own way.
3) True's service
is becoming less customer friendly. It appears to
me that True is starting to turn away
from pleasing the customer (which creates long-term
loyalty) to focusing much more attention on money.
True has already tightened the amount of information
that non-paying members can view without paying.
But worse, True now use deceptive ads to try and
get non-paying
members to fork over money. For example, when you
view a profile and click on a person's picture, you
are
taken to a sign up screen. However, on the left side
of the signup screen is a "chat screen" with
a photo of the person you are viewing and under it
is their username and you see the words typed out, "hi
handsome, want to chat sometime?" There is then
a line that says "Your Response" with a
flashing cursor. True makes it seem like the member
is trying
to contact you when they are not. When you move your
cursor over the form to type a response, a window
appears that says, "complete the form to begin
your free trial and start chatting." Of course,
you have to give your credit card number as part
of the so-called "free
trial" and the person you may think wants to
chat with you never initiated a chat.
Overall, True is starting to turn away from being
a major contender to being a major headache - not only
for other dating services, but also for longtime loyal
customers who helped make the service successful.
My message to True is that it is time to improve customer
relations. Put the focus back on customer service and
the consumer. Stop promoting True as eliminating deceptive
members (through screening) while being deceptive in
the way you interact with members.
The truth is that True does
have a good online dating matchmaking service. I always
enjoyed using True's service
and I've had good success with it. I give True's actual
matching and communication abilities high marks.
The problem is that True is no longer living up to
the customer service standards that it originally set
when it opened its doors to the public. And it's a
shame because the online dating industry is in need
of a really good dating service with strong customer
values.
Walt Disney was a true visionary. He was able to build
a successful entertainment empire by putting 100% of
his focus on the consumer, consumer needs, and consumer
experience. Disney knew that loyalty and quality service
is what keeps people coming back. True could learn
a lot from the early days of Disney. True started on
the right track, but appears to be losing the force
of good that made them unique and customer friendly
when they first started. And that's a true disappointment.
I can only hope that six months from now I'm writing
an editorial praising True for a great turnaround and
for putting the focus back on the consumer where it
belongs. We'll see...
Sincerely,
Joe Tracy, editor
Online
Dating Newsletter
P.S. There have been more updates to the Online Dating
Newsletter Website. We've added the ability to Search the Online Dating Newsletter archives, plus we've uploaded
a new dating joke (to the Dating
Fun Zone) and a new
Clicking Together cartoon (also in the Dating
Fun Zone).
Visit www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com and enjoy your
experience.
***
Creative Date Ideas:
Helicopter Rides
Imagine literally whisking your date off her/his feet
by surprising them with a helicopter tour of your city
or local landmark. A helicopter ride can be an exciting
adventure for you and your date to share. While they
tend to be on the expensive side, it may be worth it
to take this once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing tour. Exciting
experiences always have a lasting impact on those that
participate in them and a helicopter tour is a fun and
unique way to get to know a city from a different perspective.
Helicopter rides are available in most major cities
and over many landmark areas. You and your date can
take a private aerial tour of downtown Chicago, New
York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, or Las Vegas,
just to name a few. Vacation spots also typically offer
helicopter rides. Niagara Falls helicopter rides give
an up close and personal look at the giant waterfalls
while Hawaii offers tours over active volcanoes. Other
unique spots that offer Helicopter tours are Mount
Saint Helens, the Grand Canyon, and the Statue of Liberty.
Check your area to see what is offered or try this
date idea out while on vacation. (SOURCE: Online Dating
Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)
***
Online Dating Tips:
Be What You Say You Are
Many people will state in their profile that they are interesting, creative,
or bright, however nothing in their write-up exemplifies that. Your profile
is the perfect opportunity to be what you say you are. If you say you are interesting,
creative, or bright then prove it by the photos you use and the words you write.
Instead of "I like movies," be descriptive, like "sometimes
I feel like JM Barrie in Finding
Neverland where I want to create a unique
world of fun and enjoyment to alleviate the stresses that daily life brings." Your
most descriptive and best creative writing abilities should shine through in
what you write and how you present it. For tips on writing a better online
dating profile, be sure to read Online Dating Magazine's newest feature article, "Writing
a Personal Profile Ad that Makes You More Attractive." (SOURCE: Online
Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)
***
Relationship Tips:
Admire Your Partner's Differences
It is always important to be able to accept that your partner is different
than you. After all, difference is a big part of what makes a relationship
lively and exciting. What makes a relationship grow even stronger is the ability
to not only accept these differences but actually develop admiration of the
ways in which your partner is different from you. In his book "Relationship
Rescue: A Seven Step Strategy for Reconnecting With Your Partner" author
Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D (aka Dr. Phil) discusses the importance of creating
value in your partner's differences:
"This is a different part of your programming
from simply accepting your differences. You need to
go beyond just accepting your partner, and actively
work to create value in the way in which your partner
is different. By doing so, you make a conscious commitment
to develop and nurture your admiration of your partner.
Focus on the admirable qualities so you can build on
them. By becoming your partner's greatest fan, you
will routinely choose to focus on the things about
him or her that are unique and inspiring. You didn't
choose this person because they were a hapless loser,
you chose them because you saw things in them that
moves you in a positive direction. Fan the flames of
respect, honor, and admiration on a conscious level
and work to be proud of your partner. Remember, you
don't need to understand or agree with your partner's
style or nuances to appreciate them." (SOURCE:
Relationship
Rescue: A Seven-Step Strategy for Reconnecting With
Your Partner, by Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D - in
bookstores everywhere)
***
Relationship Quote
of the Week
"Marriage is more a marathon than a sprint, but it isn't a pure case of
either. It's a marathon that begins with a sprint. If it is to work, you have
to be comfortable with the pace that you set. You have to be yourself - your
best self, if possible, but your true self. Too much subordination of self,
by serving your man or by pretending to be what you are not, will make it impossible
for you to run the marathon." (SOURCE: Why
Men Won't Commit: Getting What you Both Want Without Playing Games, by George Weinberg Ph.D. - in bookstores
everywhere)
***
Inspirational Quote
of the Week
"In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin
looking for it." - Norman Vincent Peale
***
Romantic Ideas:
Love Letters by Mail
You know how it is...every time you go to your mailbox there is a small glimmer
of hope that there may be actual mail in there: a letter from an old friend,
a card, or even just a small note from a relative. When you get to the mailbox
all you find are bills and junk mail. What a disappointment! If you feel that
way when checking the mail, you can bet that your significant other feels the
same way. Eliminate that disappointment your partner feels for one day by using
the postal service as a service for love and appreciation.
Write a long and detailed love letter to your partner.
You know, the way we used to do it before email? Hand-write
your love letter on nice stationary and mail it to
your loved one. It's a simple and cheap (only 37 cents!)
way to make your partner's day. When writing your letter
make sure you use your best handwriting (not the type
of handwriting you use when signing a check). Not only
does that make the letter more readable, but it also
shows that you put some time into drafting it. If you
live with your significant other it makes the letter
even more of a surprise, as long as you make sure that
he or she picks up the mail on the day your letter
is expected to arrive. A love letter by mail can change
a normally routine and boring task into a loving memory
your partner will cherish. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter
- www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com) ***
News: Overseas Scammers
Make Thousands Per Victim
(April 6, 2005 - onlinedatingnewsletter.com) The Computer Crime Research Center
is warning people against overseas scammers that generally milk thousands of
dollars from each man they target. The CCRC relates the story of a Russian
man who used his girlfriend's name to create a fake profile. He then posted
a sexy picture of another woman and as a result started corresponding with
a man from the U.S. He continued to pretend to be a woman, making the guy fall
in love with him (her) then asked that money be wired for an emergency. It
wasn't until the U.S. victim lost thousands of dollars that he realized it
was a SCAM.
Because online dating and personals is the largest
revenue-generating market online (source: Online Publishers
Association), there are many scams operated to try
and get money or email addresses from online daters. The
best defense is to always be alert that scams are out
there and to use common sense, particularly when someone
you've never met requests money.
***
Feature Link: Creating
a Better Online Dating Photo
What's the first thing you notice when searching through
profiles on an online dating service? Obviously, it's
the pictures. Your profile picture is the most vital
entry point for interested parties. Luckily there are
things you can do to increase the effectiveness of
your online dating photo. Online Dating Magazine has
recently published an article titled, "Creating
a Better Online Dating Photo" that provides
some valuable tips and advice on helping to make this
part of your profile be one of your strongest.
***
New "Clicking
Together"
Cartoon
A new "Clicking Together" cartoon has been uploaded
to the Online Dating Newsletter Website. Click
here to view it.
***
The Online
Dating Newsletter is emailed free of charge
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Editor: Joe Tracy (jtracy@onlinedatingmagazine.com)
Official Website: Click
here.
Archives: Click
here.
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