Preparing For Contact: Top 5 tips to take with you

Don't give up. Getting the responses you like may not happen immediately. Hang in there. There are ways to get things moving.

Refine. A single line in your profile may draw in just the right people or drive them away. If you're not hearing what you want, tune your signal.

Update. Even if you don't make changes, resave your profile every time you log in, as most sites will bump you to the top of the singles list. And who doesn't like to be on top?

Start fresh. Profile just not working? Try making another one with a new picture and different angle (highlight your wanderlust in one and your small town childhood in the other). Most sites will even let you have two or more profiles at once.

Do it with friends. Encourage each other when the going gets tough. Compare notes. Take tips (and criticism). Join each other on dates. (It makes it more fun and helps keep you safe from loonies.) Share.