Successful Internet Dating: Believe It!

September 21st, 2005 | Books, Online dating, Reviews

I Can’t Believe I’m Buying This Book! A commonsense guide to Successful Internet Dating.’ by Evan Marc Katz From a 31-year-old Internet Dating Consultant, this guide comes as a surprisingly simple and extremely entertaining companion for beginners and advanced Internet Daters. It has the unthreatening feel of an anthology of anecdotes and humorous tales designed to encourage even the most reluctant reader to open their hearts and minds to a new world of Online Dating.The book starts off detailing the fears one may have when trying something many still consider fairly taboo. Online dating has, however, entered the mainstream, and in a big way. Katz does his utmost to comfort the hesitant sceptics and initiate all into this not-so-perilous world. He lists several sites and the basic requirements one must fulfil before joining and finding Mr. or Ms. Right. Every minute aspect of joining the Online Dating phenomenon is addressed honestly and with the reader’s ease in mind.

Katz is extremely open about the pitfalls of Online Dating and encourages his audience to have realistic expectations, pointing out, “Joining an Online Dating service is like joining a gym. You don’t lose weight simply by signing up. You have to make a concerted effort.” That’s where this book comes in. It’ll give you tips on writing a mega-profile. Just read Katz’s own intro: “Funny Guy with Killer Body and Money to Burn seeks Woman who Doesn’t Believe Everything She Reads.” Try the Dictionary for Online Personal Ads and you’ll find that a woman who calls herself a ‘Poet’ is simply a ‘Depressive Schizophrenic’ and a man who advertises himself as ‘Very good looking’ is really ‘Dumb as a Board’. Sound Familiar?

The book deals specifically with Internet Dating but would be highly useful for anyone wanting some advice on relationships in general. Katz offers truthful observations about the difficulty of finding a suitable partner and about making yourself more attractive. He lists basic Dos and Don’ts for everyone looking for that special someone or for a casual fling or friendship. It all comes down to the same principles of honesty and creativity. He says of pictures, “Put up only good pictures. (As long as they look like you).” I never would have thought of that.

Katz talks about the inevitable meeting and even encourages multiple in-person dates. He is especially frank when he talks about the seemingly inter-planetary man/woman divide. It would take more than a book for some of us to decipher the opposite sex but it’s a start.

Gay couples aren’t really addressed in this book and that may put a damper on it for some. The other major downside is that it is primarily focused on the North American market, meaning South African online dating websites aren’t assessed in the ‘Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe’ section. Still, there are universal elements being covered that transcend gender and geography so these may only be minor setbacks.

‘I can’t believe I’m buying this book’ will leave you with a lot to think about whether you’re just starting out or looking to increase your charm. Funny and insightful, one is left unsurprised that the book was written by someone who has been on both sides of the Internet Dating business. I can’t believe you wouldn’t give it a read.

‘I can’t believe I’m buying this book! A commonsense guide to Successful Internet Dating.’ by Evan Marc Katz published by Ten Speed Press

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