You can’t really separate successful online dating from written communication. In a bar, if someone tries to move too fast, it generally ends up with a slap or the loss of whatever contact you were hoping for. The same goes for dating sites. Most people want to exchange letters and instant messaging conversations to some extent rather than rush out for coffee with a perfect stranger. Getting to know someone before you meet is one of the main draws to digital dating. You’re bound to meet with more success if you pay attention to how and what you write and play things cool as opposed to pushing hard from the start.

One of the big questions that singles face is how soon is acceptable. Should you ask for a date after the first email or the fifth? Is an hour-long instant messaging conversation enough to secure a face-to-face or are 10 quick sessions better? It would be nice if there were set guidelines but we all know everyone is different. The perfect time to meet is really up to the individual.

"The beautiful part about online dating is that there are so many people doing it that you have options"

If you’re not having much success securing a date and you think you might be trying to move things along a little too fast, try to forget about any meeting at all. Instead, work on charming your connection into making them ask about when you’re going to meet. Online communication is an art. It’s about finesse as much as it is about letting the other person know who you really are and giving them a chance to get to know you. It can be hard when you’re really into someone. You may want to move quickly in case they find someone else. You could be really bored and feel the need for a date tomorrow night. Leave thoughts like these out of your approach. “The Fonz” got all the chicks on Happy Days by being cool and that should be the way you want to work it.

It is possible to play things too slow but you can’t let yourself be bothered when someone moves on. It’s a part of dating and it’s to be expected. The beautiful part about online dating is that there are so many people doing it that you have options. Playing the dating game right takes some restraint and you’ll find your luck improves if you’re able to master the art of online communication.