Internet dating… its just like marketing – only lazy

Morning All…

Recently I embarked on the trials and tribulations of internet dating… can’t believe I am actually blogging about it … but ah well! lol – hopefully this is a judgement free zone?!?! yeah right! lol…  Anyway, I joined up at the same time as a friend of mine and so we have been “doing this thing” together which has been great.  I have started to the notice the similarities with internet dating and some approaches to marketing.

You see, I am all about conversion rates and getting the best possible outcome for your efforts… for example, the best marketing conversion rate I have seen (consistently) is our offline marketing campaigns which returns anywhere from 10-30% (big in terms of marketing)… so I spend most of my time finding ways to make these campaigns for our clients – then there are other marketing efforts… like the ones that information and internets marketers teach that convert only about 0.5-2%- ho hum!

So how does this relate to internet dating… well… when I first joined the service I was absolutely bomabarded (pretty sure all girls are… not just me) with flirts or kisses or whatever you want to call them… so then came the fine art of tactfully, and respecfully rejecting these people that clearly have not read my profile…. or that I just don’t think it will work with.  Then finally we have a list “or database” of a select group of potentials that I may see some similarities with – so starts the communication trail… first build rapport, a connection, then maybe start texting and speaking on the phone, and then maybe… when I’m are ready – I will meet with them.

During that meeting, it is obvious from the outset whether there is a connection or not… More often than not there may be a slight connection but there is something missing… and for me that thing that is missing are those moments of getting to know someone consistently – and coming together because of a common interest or goal.  The it makes me think, whether the people on internet dating sites are purely just not understanding how to market… because of hundred and thousands of people that are dating over the internet, how many are successful?  I only know of a handful.. so what that as a conversion rate I wonder?

So I do know that  internet dating can be successful (or at least I am told… haven’t discovered it myself yet) – but how is it successful – how do the handful of people I know that have made it work gone about their approach to internet dating?  You need to be on it consistantly, otherwise you rank further down than other girls, you need to communicate often (they even measure your communication rate), you need to be really really specific about what you want don’t want, and you have to be willing to take a few risks.

How is this not EXACTLY like marketing?

If you are struggling with your marketing (or finding that special someone online), then maybe have a look at how consistent your marketing efforts are, look at your target market, are you being specific enough, and most importantly are you taking calculated risks to ensure you are trying something new. If not…. that could be the problem… for both your marketing and dating efforts!

As soon as you don’t have all the elements above in your marketing (and dating) plans then you are moving into “lazy marketing”… this means that you are more than likely throwing mud up against a wall and hoping it will stick!.. very rarely will this work.

So ditch the mud throwing… and try planning consistancy… you never know what you mind find… a great new customer – or maybe even love!

Cheers

N