Virtual Dating Ideas, Tips and Tricks

You can add some virtual dating to your dating arsenal easily without it being too awkward or difficult. While we all know that it can be more fun to meet in person, virtual dating can go a long way towards making the initial contact with someone and see if there is enough interest to move forward.

Basically, virtual dating is simply an extension of the basic “3-2-1 dating rules” we’ve discussed before. If you’re not familiar with the rules, it’s simple; before you rush out to meet someone you just started with on your online dating platform exchange 3 emails, 2 telephone conversations, and then do 1 meeting for 15 minutes at a Starbucks or something similar. If you follow this advice you can leverage your online dating time the most efficient and avoid any awkward first dates fiascos.

For now, we’re talking about Virtual dating in the form of video calls via phone or computer camera on platforms like Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. You do not have to be tech-savvy to enjoy virtual dating. What’s even better is you don’t have to worry about spending money. And no worrying about who gets the check because you don’t have to leave your home.

Virtual dating doesn’t have to be boring, either. When you’re virtual dating, you can have dates under the stars, game nights, and cooking sessions. There are many, many possibilities.

However, there still are virtual dating rules, faux pas, that you don’t want to get caught up in. Let’s first go over some fun virtual dating ideas, and then let’s go over some tips to make sure your virtual dates are smooth sailing.

Virtual Dating

Table of Contents:

Virtual Dating Ideas That are Fun and Easy

  1. Virtual Happy Hour
  2. Play a Game
  3. Give a Virtual Home Tour
  4. Make a Meal Together
  5. Order In Together
  6. Watch A Movie
  7. Virtual Ask Me Anything
  8. Read a Book Together
  9. Virtual Gallery Tour
  10. Look to the Stars
  11. Create a Playlist
  12. Go to a Show

How to Look Your Best for a Virtual Date

  1. Do Your Hair and Makeup like you would for an IRL date
  2. What You Wear Matters
  3. Good Lighting Makes a Difference
  4. Get the Best Camera Angles
  5. Check Your Background

Conclusion

Virtual Dating Ideas That are Fun and Easy

You can add some virtual dating to your dating arsenal easily without it being too awkward or difficult. While we all know that it can be more fun to meet in person, virtual dating can go a long way towards making the initial contact with someone and see if there is enough interest to move forward.

Basically, virtual dating is simply an extension of the basic “3-2-1 dating rules” we’ve discussed before. If you’re not familiar with the rules, it’s simple; before you rush out to meet someone you just started with on your online dating platform exchange 3 emails, 2 telephone conversations, and then do 1 meeting for 15 minutes at a Starbucks or something similar. If you follow this advice you can leverage your online dating time the most efficient and avoid any awkward first dates fiascos.

Starting the process with a virtual date might be even better because you can “see and talk” to the other person to get a real sense if there is some connection that makes a “live” date an option.

If you want to jump in and try out some fun virtual dates then here are 12 fun and easy suggestions to try out with your new friend.

What Does Your Profile Photo Say About You?

Actual Photo Analysis Results:

Age: 35:
Ethnic: White_Caucasian
Attraction: 7.64 out of 10
Emotion: Happy 
Results: This would be a GOOD choice for a Dating Profile.

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1.    Virtual Dating Happy Hour

Virtual hangouts or happy hours are the new next best thing to see friends and family. So, why not make it a date? For this virtual date idea, invite your partner on a virtual cocktail or happy hour at the end of the week. You could even do a virtual happy hour at the beginning of the week – it doesn’t matter if you don’t have to leave your home!

It’s fun to share your cocktail (or mocktail) recipe and mixes things up a little. A bonus is that you will be able to gauge their creativity levels and find out their tastes in beverages.

Virtual Dating

2.    Play a Game

Get to know your date by incorporating your favorite games. Or, how about a game of truth or dare, or never have I ever? Virtual dating gets interesting when you can learn how competitive your date is.

Plus, it incorporates a bit of playfulness that eases the stress that comes from going on a date in real life or virtual. Challenge your partner to a game night full of Scrabble, Life, Battleship, or whatever else you have on hand.

3.    Give a Virtual Home Tour

If your date has never seen your abode, why not plan this virtual dating idea straight out of a home show? Give your date a glimpse of your home and have them give you a virtual house tour of theirs as well. Tip: Make sure your place is clean!

Giving your date a virtual tour of the place you live will provide them with the opportunity to find out about your style and taste as well as pick up on a few habits along the way.

4.    Make a Meal Together

Another way to find out your date’s taste and a fantastic virtual dating idea that will allow you to get to know your potential partner is cooking a homemade meal together. Be sure to plan and decide a meal you both like (or want to learn) and gather your ingredients beforehand.

You’ll be less likely to stress out if you are both preoccupied with cooking your meal while on your virtual date. Also, you can enjoy your food together at the same time in the end. Bon a petite!

5.    Order In Together

If you’re not prepared to cook together, a fun virtual dating idea is to order from your favorite delivery or take-out place ahead of time and enjoy your meals together on your virtual date. It will be like going to a restaurant without the hassle of going anywhere—no worrying about who gets the check.

 

6.    Watch A Movie

Another great virtual dating idea, to figure out each other’s tastes, is to decide on a movie you want to watch together. You can each set up the film at your respective homes and press play and pause at the same time, so it’s like you are in the same room.

7.    Virtual Ask Me Anything

Okay, well, maybe not anything. A virtual Q and A is a great way to get to know each other a little more in-depth. Gather a list of questions to ask your date and vice versa. Get online and start taking turns, asking away. Do remember to keep the questions a little light to make them stay fun, not taking a serious turn.

8.    Read a Book Together

Reading is not only a great virtual dating idea but also one that brings people together. For those book lovers out there, discuss your favorite genres of books, and pick out a book to read together.

You could start by taking turns reading pages or paragraphs. If it is a longer book, you could pick up on multiple days and discuss your thoughts on the book you read. You also could take turns reading passages from your favorite books individually, to share your tastes with your potential partner.

9.    Virtual Gallery Tour

Art museums, history, and cultural museums all over the world are offering up free virtual tours. Why not grab your favorite museum and have a virtual museum tour together? You can dish on your favorite exhibits to learn about each other’s tastes in the arts, sciences, and more.

10. Look to the Stars

Not many people know this, but you can go online and go stargazing. Talk about a fun and romantic virtual date idea! No need to bust out the telescope or drive out to the middle of nowhere when you can share your screen and do it all online.

Virtual Dating Package

11. Create a Playlist

This virtual dating idea takes it back to the glory days of making mixtapes for your crush. Why not do a virtual playlist? Many online music streaming services offer up shareable playlists.

Before your date, grab a mix of your favorite songs – they don’t have to be mushy songs, just songs you love! Share your playlists on your virtual date and find out each other’s musical tastes.

12. Go to a Show

Take your musical tastes to another level. Many music artists and bands are offering up free virtual concerts from the comfort of your own home. Find which artists suit your date’s tastes and schedule to watch the show together.

How to Look Your Best for a Virtual Date

1.    Do Your Hair and Makeup like you would for an IRL date

Who said just because you’re sitting at home means, you shouldn’t still look your best? You’ll feel confident when you get ready as you normally would for your virtual date. Do your hair and makeup like you would for a real-life date.

2.    What You Wear Matters on Your Virtual Date

Kick it up a notch by wearing a nice top or shirt to impress your virtual date. Color matters, too. Black tends to look bad on camera as do busy patterns. Take a lesson from newscasters. Do you ever notice how they tend to wear solid, bright colors? Wear a top that is bright and stylish yet flattering. Go all out with pajama bottoms, and they won’t know unless they ask to see!

3.    Good Lighting Makes a Difference

You don’t want there to be shadows in the frame when you’re on video – the camera will not be flattering if you don’t have good lighting for your virtual date. Try positioning yourself in front of a good lamp without anything interfering with the lighting to cause shadows. Diffused light is always the best. Never put your lighting behind you, or else you will just be a dark silhouette. No one wants to date a shadow, right?

If you’re doing your date while the sun is out, try positioning yourself in front of a window for glowing, natural light.

4.    Get the Best Camera Angles

Positioning your camera in the right direction is everything for a great flattering angle. You don’t want your face to look too big, and you certainly don’t want the camera staring up your nose.

Video Conference for virtual dating

Also, try to position yourself in the middle of the frame to avoid a lot of white space and get you looking your best. Test out a few angles before hopping online for your virtual date and go with which angle your computer or smartphone camera looks best for you.

5.    Check Your Background

There’s nothing worse than someone who has dirty laundry in the background or anything compromising like medications or dirty dishes in the background. That’s why it is so important to check your background and tidy up before hopping on your virtual date. You want to make sure you are putting your best (virtual) self forward.

Conclusion

Virtual dating should not be stressful. There are so many fun ideas that go beyond the dull “get to know you” conversations; you won’t even notice you’re on a “date.” Virtual dating is here to stay, and these virtual dating ideas are at your disposal and should make the minutes (or hours) fly by without either you or your date noticing.

Remember to remember these virtual dating tips so you can do a final check before starting your virtual date. You will look fabulous and impress anyone you chat with virtually. Best of luck and remember to have fun!

 

Claire BahnAbout the Author:

Claire Bahn has over 15 years of working as a personal branding expert helping clients build authority and influence through their online profiles and social media accounts.

Her background includes branding, public relations, Social Media, and marketing, as well as, entrepreneurship. She has a passion to help executives, entrepreneurs, and influencers strategize and create their best personal brand.

She is currently the CEO and Co-founder of Online Profile Pros and Stratus Branding. Ms. Bahn recognizes that first impressions are made online and the fastest way to achieving your goals is by taking command of your personal brand through your online profiles and social media. She started Online Profile Pros and Stratus Branding to help individuals create, maintain and protect their personal brands so that they achieve the authority, influence, and trust the need to succeed at online dating or their job search.

She’s been featured in numerous publications and news outlets including Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines.

Ms. Bahn is a former model and actress, appearing in national ad campaigns for major retailers. An avid fashion/lifestyle blogger she’s a recognized influencer. Ms. Bahn holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, CA with her 2 red miniature pinchers, Beau and Trixie.

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