<h4>Just Say Hi</h4>

When introducing yourself to an online prospect, remember to keep it simple, folks. It's important to appear interested and attracted but not desperate. Your first email should be just a few lines. Think flirtatious but fleeting.

DO:

• Compliment. Be honest. Pick a characteristic that caught your eye. Girls love to hear genuine, sweet compliments. I am ever a fan of the simple "You have a beautiful smile" (if it's true). As for guys, applaud his character or manliness. Stay away from generic and uneffective compliments. No more "You seem interesting". Come on, it's lame and unflattering.
• Engage. Draw from his/her profile; you want to show that you read the damn thing. Nothing is more attractive than someone who's totally interested in what you've got to say. Act interested!
• Ask. End with a question: thoughtful, flirtacious, clever, silly, moody, whatever. Leave him/her a reason to write back.

DON'T:

• Do not leave a list of your contact information.
• Do not write a survey of questions.
• Do not provide a defense of your character. 

Remember, y'all, if you don't get a response... No. Big. Deal. That's how dating works. Should I say that again? Did you know there's lots of rejection in dating? The more you put yourself out there, the more hits you'll get.  Just scout around and find someone else to approach.