1. Act quickly. Sign up as soon as the offer starts. Take the personality tests, complete your profile and upload your photo right away. You only get a select number of matches each day, so the sooner you complete your account, the sooner you can start eFlirting. Reviewing your matches each day will assure you get the maximum amount of connections during your complimentary trial.

2. Don't skimp. Fill out your profile completely — including photos — and put some thought into it. If you skimp on information, your matches won't be as responsive and your time on the site won't be as productive.

3. Say yes to maybes.  Go through your matches and start communicating. If you think someone's a "maybe," go for it. You never know who might surprise you! Maximizing the time you have means broadening your horizons.

4. Be available. A lot of new members will be taking advantage of this free weekend, so expect quicker response times. Choose the fast track so you can create the strongest bond possible before the trial ends. 

5. Download the app. If you're going to be out and about (which you should be, since it's the New Year!), download the app so you can stay connected and get offline with your matches sooner.

6. Give contact info. If your trial is coming to a close and you don't think the site is for you, give your contact info to all of your matches so you don't lose touch. Set up a separate Gmail account so your full name remains secure.   

7. Don't feel pressured. If you're not intrigued by a particular match, don't think that you have to go out with him or her. Just because you went through several steps of communication doesn't mean you should feel pressured. Trust your instincts. 

8. Meet sooner. You don't have to exchange a million emails before you meet. Just be sure to meet in a public place and plan something non-committal, like coffee or a drink.

9. Join! If you liked the experience, you should really join the site. You can continue to communicate uninterrupted and will get a steady stream of new matches. 

10. Don't get discouraged. If your weekend wasn't as successful as you had hoped, that doesn't mean that online dating isn't for you. Nine times out of 10, it just means that you were on the wrong site! A dating site is only as good as your matches on it. Most major paid sites offer trials and if you follow this blog, you'll be in the know. In fact, Match.com offers three free days anytime!

So Happy eFlirting! Here's to ringing in 2012 with a positive online dating experience and fun dates to start the new year off right!

By Paola Hernandez, Copy Cutie

“Summer lovin,’ had me a blast.”

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer season, yielding promises of frozen drinks, longer days and summer flings. Having the best time during MDW will set the tone for the next three months. Take full advantage of the three- (or if you’re lucky, four-) day weekend that awaits. Have a blast and follow some of the tips below!

Cocktails, Al Fresco.  Warm weather means that patio seating at restaurants and beer gardens are sure to get packed. The benefit of a beer garden is the ability to converse with other people in a larger, outdoor setting, making it easy to chat up that cutie at the table next to you. If you’re spending time with your honey, an evening breeze can set a romantic mood and bring you closer to warm each other up.

It’s A Shore Thing.  Want to get away from the bright lights of the city for the weekend? Make your trip memorable. If you live by the coast or have a nearby lake to visit, head to the water! Beach communities often have tiki bars or other lively restaurants on the boardwalk, which are great places to meet new people and to get your flirt on.

Fleet Week.  If you’re in NYC and see that the city streets are engulfed by service men and women donning Navy, Marine and Coast Guard uniforms, it means Fleet Week has arrived. Enjoy a night out in Times Square where you can enjoy drinks and go dancing with the people that fight for our country. Strike up some interesting conversations and have fun — they deserve to have a good time. They’re only in town for five days, so take a shot or two and enjoy the night.

Dress to Impress.  Finally, you can pull out your summer wardrobe out of the closet. Bright colors like coral, orange and neon are the hues of choice during those hot summer nights. Guys, you finally have permission to unbutton the top few buttons of your shirt. Keep your outfit light and fun since you’ll be mingling with others in the same good mood you are. If your clothes are flirty and fun, it’ll hopefully transfer to your demeanor, bettering your chances of meeting someone.

Just Wing It.  Want to head to a lounge or a bar but are done with solo nights out? Bring your wingman/woman with you! Having that support system by your side will give you that extra boost of confidence. If you’re a fail at meeting someone on your own, you have your awesome partner in crime to talk you up to that hottie at the bar.

Make your Memorial Day weekend memorable by having a good time. This is a precursor to three months of pure bliss. Live it up!

How are you spicing up your holiday weekend? Let us know in a comment below!

By Paola Hernandez, Copy Cutie

Keep calm and relax. Everything will be okay!

It’s normal to be nervous about meeting someone for the first time, especially if it’s for a date. Though you and your date have “clicked” through chemistry online, you two are finally going to meet in person, which is a totally different dynamic — there’s no computer screen to hide behind! If you’ve got that nerve-racking feeling, here are a few tips to help ease the first date jitters so you can enjoy your time out and not stress yourself silly!

1. Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture.  Want to know the best way to get your mind off of anything? Dance it off. Music can set the tone for any mood, so use it to your advantage. Blasting happy, upbeat pop songs like ‘Glad You Came’ by The Wanted or Calvin Harris’ ‘Feels So Close’ while you’re getting ready for the big night will get you pumped in no time. Find the perfect songs that will put you in that right mood so your mindset will stay positive for the rest of the night. And singing along to your favorite lyrics will not only help kill time before your night out, but will help plaster a huge smile across your face — a much-needed asset when meeting a match for the first time. But if Guns N Roses’ ‘November Rain’ comes up in your iTunes or Spotify playlist, make sure you hit the next button!

2. Liquid Courage.  If you enjoy a glass of Merlot or a pint of Guinness, treat yourself to a small drink before your night out. Unwinding before a date keeps you from being as nervous as you normally would. Just be careful with the amount of alcohol you consume beforehand. The last thing you want is to be loose as a goose or not be who you really are. But if you’re meeting someone for drinks, remember that there will already be alcohol on your “plate” for the evening. Don’t overdo it!

3. Beddy Bye.  And if you have enough time before heading out, really refresh yourself with a nap! Take advantage if your schedule allows for a mini-snooze before a night out. Being well rested and relaxed will give you the encouragement needed to enjoy a night out on the town. No one likes a cranky person, especially if it’s a first-time meeting. If a nap is the remedy you need, go for it. Just make sure you set your alarm clock early enough so you have enough time to get ready, since oversleeping will do you more harm — you don’t want to end up running around like a chicken without a head!

Everyone has different methods to help them relax before a first meeting. Just remember that unlike a blind date, the two of you have already gotten to know each other digitally. You’ve won them over with your words; now let your personality shine.

How do you de-stress yourself before the big night? Let us know in a comment below!

By Jessica Hartman, Certified eFlirter

Everyone’s seen the many Apple commercials showing how iPhone’s Siri can help you with your daily life, with the latest one featuring Zooey Deschanel of ‘New Girl’ fame. But Siri isn’t only just good for work. Use this handy tech tool to stay on top of your dating life, too, and let Siri take the reins when you need a helping hand while finding love. After all — she’s in charge of your iCal!

1. Scheduling last-minute reservations.  Did life get in the way, making you lose track of time? Don't fret — Siri can help you make a last-minute dinner reservation for that special evening without your date even realizing you planned it on the fly.

2. Sending a hands-free, "I'm going to be late" text while driving.  Texting while driving is a major no-no, but so is not giving your date notice that you're going to be late. All you have to do is say the word and your dating life — and your physical one — will be safe and sound.

3. Reminding you before date night.  Hectic schedules might make you forget special plans. Right after you’ve set a date with someone, make sure to tell Siri to remind you about it the night before. Now you’ll always be date-ready, even if you’re meeting your guy or gal straight from work!

4. Getting directions if you get lost.  Any city can be confusing if you're going to a new hot spot for the first time, even if you know the streets like the back of your hand. If you find yourself questioning your surroundings, it's much better to have Siri lead you back on track than to wander around and get lost.

5. Making it "Facebook official."  Everyone knows that you're not really in a relationship until it's posted on Facebook. Now, as soon as you have that happy conversation, let Siri tell the world about your newfound love!

Did we forget one of your favorite tips? Share with other readers in a comment below!

By Jessica Hartman, Certified eFlirter

It’s the moment that haunts us — the end-of-the-date goodbye scene. Do you go in for the kiss? What if the date was bad? What if you thought it was bad but your date goes in for the kiss anyway? What if you had a good time but have a fierce, “no kissing on the first date” rule? So much pressure!

Take a breath and relax. Think of us as your dating compass. Follow these guidelines on how to end your first date and you’ll get through the evening without having a panic attack.

Situation: The stars have aligned and you both had a fabulous time.
Guys: If you’ve never watched the movie, “Hitch,” now is the time to put it in your Netflix queue. Everything Will Smith says in the scene where he’s teaching Albert about a good night kiss is true. A lady will give you subtle hints to let you know she wants you to kiss her. Playing with her keys, lingering around the door and waiting to leave are telltale signs it’s time to pucker up.
Gals: Repeat after me: men cannot read your mind. If you want him to kiss you goodnight, you have to tell him without actually telling him. Be as affectionate as possible without going overboard. Touch his arm while walking, subtly brush his hand during dinner, and if it’s cold outside, cuddle up close — all these things will let him know you’re OK with the physical boundary being broken and will make him more at ease and confident when you part ways at the end of the night.

Situation: You’re not really sure yet how you feel. You had a pretty good time, but a second date isn’t a definite yes.
Guys: A polite goodnight hug is always a safe way to end a date. It’s nice, but noncommittal. Even if you’re not sure you want to see her again, you don’t want to burn your bridges in case you find yourself saying goodbye to her on your second date next week.
Gals: Similar to the fellas, a quick hug is the perfect way to end things if you’re not sure whether he’s in the friend zone or not. Once you’re home, you’ll have time to dissect your feelings better versus feeling pressure to commit when he’s still a maybe.

Situation: You just went on the worst date ever and you hope you never see this person again.
Guys: Still try to be polite, but you want to make sure she gets the message that the evening — as well as any notion of continuing — is over. A goodbye wave and saying, “Have a nice night” will do the trick. There are no promises of a follow up call or second date.
Gals: If it’s really horrible, it’s perfectly acceptable to leave after your drink is finished. Since you’re following our tips and not doing dinner on a first date (right?!) you can give the old faithful, “I have to get up really early tomorrow,” line and duck out. Again, be as polite as possible, but don’t leave any room for questions.

Situation: You had a good time but you’re not sure if he or she did.
Guys: Go back to the standby goodbye hug. If she welcomes it and hugs you back, that’s a good sign that she had a good time, too. It’s quite possible she’s just shy and will open up later. If you’re feeling more confident after that, a kiss on the cheek is a sweet way to end the date.
Gals: Wait for him to make the first move. Don’t scare him off by being too aggressive. If you’ve given him a few arm touches and he doesn’t at least give you a hug, stay cool. However, he too might just be shy. It’ll become obvious after the date if he likes you based on your communications.

Situation: You had a horrible time but he or she seems to be oblivious and had a blast.
Guys: Let her down gently. Still be polite and give her a quick hug, but then leave ASAP. Hopefully, when you don’t make any promises of a call or date in the future, she’ll get the hint.
Gals: Try not to be a total biotch, but leave as soon as the situation allows. Don’t give any fake excuse; just tell him you’re going home.

Do you have any other fail-proof goodbye secrets, or do you have a horror story of a goodbye gone wrong? Share them below!  

By Kristin Manganello, Copy Cutie

It’s exciting when the cute girl you’ve been chatting with online ends up being way more gorgeous in person when you meet up for your first date. Suddenly, you’re like a Looney Tune, with your eyes bugging out into heart shapes and your tongue rolling out of your mouth and onto the floor. But before you start babbling about how pretty she is, tame your inner cartoon by staying away from these five phrases.

1. “You’re hot.”  There’s nothing wrong with making a broad statement like this, but let's face it — any Joe Schmoe with a fifth grade reading level can say it. If your lady friend is particularly attractive, you run the risk of blending in with all the other fellas who tell her she’s hot. Instead, focus on details and think about what exactly makes her so attractive … to you. Use these mental notes to come up with a more personalized, specific way to express your admiration of her beauty.

2. “You have the most beautiful <insert-standout-facial-feature-here> I’ve ever seen.”  It’s flattering to be recognized for a strong feature, but constant praise gets stale. For example, if your latest lady has beautiful baby blues, chances are that every guy she’s ever dated has told her so. Throw her offguard and focus on a characteristic that may be overshadowed by the standout one. Pay attention to her mannerisms and facial expressions, and you’ll find yourself a gold mine.

3. “You’ve got a great rack.”  I’m going to give most of you guys the benefit of doubt and assume that you already know that this is inappropriate, but for those of you who forget, consider this a friendly reminder. It’s awesome that you appreciate the female figure, and a woman can sometimes forgive should your gaze momentarily wander below her chin, but verbally focusing on the sexual parts of the body doesn’t go over well. Make no mistake — women like it when you find them sexy, but they like it even more if you employ some subtlety.

4. “You have a really pretty face, a great body, this, that and the other thing.”  Sometimes, less is more. Overloading your date with flattery all at once will come off disingenuous and desperate. Limit the number of compliments and sprinkle them throughout the date. Or, if you’re feeling bold and frisky, throw her a curveball every now and again by gently negging her. Instead of putting a beautiful woman on a pedestal, show her that you’re a confident guy who’s not mindlessly worshipping her looks. Plus, a little playful teasing is good foreplay for sexual tension. Just don’t take it too far, or you’ll find yourself being relegated to the douchebag category.

5. “You’re really pretty … for a fat girl.”  Speaking of douchebags — only a douchebag would say something like this. If you’ve decided to try out negging, stay away from weight. It’s easy to see a gorgeous woman regardless of size and assume she’s confident enough to handle it, but even beautiful women have insecurities, and weight is often a prickly subject. Clothing ads and skinny starlets already have women in a panic over pounds — don’t add to the pressure. Stick with less controversial features — hair, fingernails, fashion choices, etc. Remember: you’re trying to level the playing field, not drag a girl down.

Did we miss any? Let us know in a comment below!