Find Love in 2014 — We Know the Exact Minute to Start Looking

By Vanessa Golembewski, Refinery29

Maybe you've finally decided to have a go at Internet dating. Or, maybe you're a veteran of Tinder/Swoon/OkCupid. Regardless of your experience, we can all agree that dating online has its own unique set of challenges. But, Match.com has provided us with some intel that will help you get off on the right foot - even if it's not your first rodeo. The perfect moment? According to the experts, it's 8:57 p.m. on Sunday, January 5. This has proven to be the busiest time of year for online dating and that means there's more communication (think nudges, messages, etc.) happening. The date falls within the peak season for Match.com, which runs from December 25 through February 14 each year. During this period, the site sees a 25 to 30% increase in new members. Plus, in the first week of 2014, Match.com anticipates it will have over two million new singles. That's a lot of perusing to be had, folks.

Now that you've got the timing down, it's all about your profile and how you approach communication. Match.com relationship guru Whitney Casey hooked us up with some tips for making dating in 2014 successful. Go get 'em, girl!

Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends
"You don't date alone, so why create your dating profile alone? Make a night of it with your friends! Instead of sitting down to the computer to describe the kind of person you are or the kind of date you want, put a day on the calendar as to when your close friends can come over and help. Let them help you pick a photo or take one on the spot. Dating is a social thing, so creating your dating profile should also be one! You may find your friends know a little more about why you are still single or IF you are really ready to mingle!"

Ready For Your Close-Up?
"What's a common denominator among the most popular profile pictures on the site? An intimate (read: relatively close-up) smile. Yes, your pearly whites can perk up any profile, and the more candid the shot, the better. Try to find a picture that best represents you. Not you on your best day - nor on your bed-head day - but on a normal day. Professional pictures are out of the question. And, just say no to the cellphone selfie. And, no cropping out the ex. Finally, try to keep your main profile picture from the waist up, or shoulders up, so it is relatively a "close-up." Action shots or shots of you and other friends, pets, or relatives are great for your secondary pictures. They provide a lot of great information about you that can prompt more conversations and chats. If you say you are active, show you are active in your pictures."

Sex Doesn't Always Sell (What They Want To Buy!)
"Your pictures really are worth the proverbial thousand words. Say who you are with your smile and some action shots. If you have an eight-pack of abs, it will be so much more alluring to see eight dates in with a new person. An ounce of humility to muscle or cleavage ratio goes a long way in the online dating world."

Size Does Matter
"The length or amount of information you put in your profile can prove to be powerful. Think of it this way: If you use the minimum amount of characters, then you offer a profile that promises the minimum amount of prospects! This doesn't mean you have to become a novelist. However, it's proven that singles who write something more meaty and meaningful have the most amount of communication on the site."

Specifically Speaking, Be Specific
"Generalities like 'I'm adventurous' and 'I'm down to earth' are simply left up to interpretation by the reader. Adventure to you may be walking across the street where there is no crosswalk, but to someone else it may be tightrope walking! For example, say, 'I'm an adventurous eater. I like to try all types of food from all places around the world.' This gives the reader a more vivid and full picture of your meaning of adventure. And, it's a more honest approach to superlatives."

Honesty & Modesty are the Best Policies
"It's totally cool to be open and honest about your accomplishments. You don't have to dodge your great life moments. Just learn how to frame them in a less Herculean way. If you can read it aloud in a crowd without any protestations, you can proudly put it on a profile. This doesn't mean you have to downplay your top notched-ness - just leave a little for the date banter, which is told better by you in person."

Hit The "Refresh" Button Often
"The best way to keep your profile 'top of the list' is to keep your profile a work in progress. When you are actively updating what you have been up to and changing the pictures in your picture library, you are keeping yourself higher up in the profile cue. Keeping current also allows other singles to have new things to chat with you about. If there's a new movie, book or activity you want to see or do, put it out there. Chances are, someone will want to do it, too!"

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