The best internet dating sites offer a variety of ways to communicate with other singles. Sending a Wink, Instant Message, Video Greeting, or an Email are a few of the ways you can break the ice. For those methods which require writing a message, remember to focus on at least one point of interest in the person’s personal ad profile.

Internet dating works, when you avoid the common mistakes made by most singles eager to jump into the fish pond. The biggest mistake is sending mass emails to single women or men that catch your attention, without reviewing their personal ad profile first. “Hey you’re beautiful” or “I love you” might cut it at the local watering hole, but it won’t separate you from the internet dating site crowd.

The major benefit of internet dating is being able to pre-screen single women or men. Who’s email would you rather answer first, the one that expresses a common interest or your complete opposite? Well, I guess you can argue either way on that point. But if I like to play Chess on a regular basis and you email me about your last Skydiving adventure, I won’t reply to your email, and I really shouldn’t.

Try to ask a question about an interest in common, then, tell a little bit about your interest in the subject as well. There’s no need for overkill here. Simply plant the seed for the reply and follow up emails.