Life Plan for Love: Speed Dating Success in 12 Easy Steps!

Never been to a Speed Dating event but you’re thinking about it?

Speed Dating is a fun and efficient venue for meeting potential partners. Many singles are nervous about attending a Speed Dating event. Others are excited about meeting new singles.

In order to maximize your time and success, here are 12 suggestions to think about before, during and after the event to get the results you want!

1. Be on time.
- Be sure you know exactly where the event is being held and what time it starts.
- Give yourself plenty of time for travel, including possible traffic problems and allow time for parking if needed.

2. Arrive in a good mood.
- Listen to your favorite up-beat music on the way to the event.
- Pop in a CD full of happy music in your car or listen to a fun playlist you created.
- Do not listen to the radio. You might hear “our song” from your previous relationship and end up sad or depressed as you walk into the event.

3. Dress well.
- Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed and appropriate for the event.
- Wear a shirt or top the color of your eyes to make your eyes stand out. If you have brown eyes, wear a top in your “blush tone” to make your cheeks glow, such as pink or burgundy.
- Above all, wear comfortable clothes. Clothing you’re pulling at or fidgeting with will distract you from your date and make you appear nervous.

4. Pay attention to your body language.
- Mirror and match your date’s body language to make them feel comfortable with you.
- Smile- smile - smile!
- Open body language (no crossed arms) and direct eye contact are very important when making a good impression.

5. Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Don’t drink excessively just because you’re nervous.

6. Take every opportunity to make small talk before the event and during the breaks to get to know people better.
- Look for things you both have in common to talk about.

7. Be confident.
- Use the “eyebrow flash” as you say hello and introduce yourself.
- Stay focused on your date instead of thinking about yourself. Your date will feel important and you’ll feel less nervous.
- Have good manners.

8. Positive talk.
- Do not speak negatively about your work, your ex(s), or anything else for that matter. Your intention is to get to know the other person, not to rant about what’s not working in your life.

9. Ask clarifying / open-ended questions.
- Be sure to ask questions to determine if your date meets your non-negotiable requirements. Work with a dating coach prior to the event if you’re not sure about your “must-have’s.”
- Ask “conversational” questions rather than questions which sound more like an interview or, worse yet, an interrogation.
- Do not dominate the conversation. Ask questions to get your date talking, then listen with interest to what they say, rather than thinking about what you’re going to say next.
- Be open to talking about your life and interests as well.

10. Be the chooser.
- If you want to see your date again, be sure to mark a “Yes!” on your date card.
- If you think you might want to see your date a second time but you’re not 100% sure, mark a “Yes!” on your date card. Take a chance for a mutual match. You can always decide later and not go out with them. However, you may never get a second chance to meet them after the event is over.
- If a date intrigues you but they’re different from the kind of person you usually date, take the chance and mark “Yes!” Maybe its time to break your dating habits, especially those which haven’t brought you a successful relationship.

11. Follow-through.
- Soon after the event, be sure to contact your mutual matches. Do not wait a week before you talk. They’ve already said “Yes!” to meeting with you again. Take the initiative and have a second date soon after the event. And, yes, ladies, you can step-up and call the man. Don’t be passive and wait for him to make the next move.
- If you receive multiple mutual matches, be sure to contact each of them right away. Do not contact only one and go out exclusively before contacting the others. That’s serial monogamy. Go out with all of your mutual matches without becoming exclusive with anyone. It’s a speed dating event, participants are aware you may have multiple matches.

12. Its all fun!
- No matter how nervous you feel - have fun! You got out of your comfort zone and tried something new. Good for you! Relax, be yourself and enjoy the evening.
- Have fun with your mutual matches!
- Sign-up for another event if you didn’t meet the person of your dreams.
Even after hosting hundreds of Speed Dating events, they still seem surreal to me. But, I’ve met so many wonderful singles and I know Speed Dating works. It’s a great way to meet singles you may never have had a chance to meet otherwise.
Besides, the chance to have 6 or 10 or 20 dates in one night is truly spectacular!

Copyright © 2008 Katherin Scott. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this article may be copied or distributed in any form without the author’s information intact.