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Ever notice how those McDonald’s commercials always show up right around lunchtime? You know it’s because that’s when your stomach is growling for something that will hit the spot—that Big Mac is looking especially good right now. Same thing happens with beer and Doritos ads during the timeouts of football games. Your nervous energy is craving savory foods to chomp and a cold beverage to wash them down. It’s called targeted advertising and it works.
And guess what? You can use the same time-proven techniques to find love, without selling out. Just be true to your own personal brand. Here is how it can work for you:
Know Your Market
That means you need to know whom you want to go after and what these potential partners are looking for in a mate. So if you’re looking for a romantic partner, you’ve got to consider what they want in a relationship. It helps if you focus first on them and less on yourself…at least for this step.
Most men I know seek the same core qualities in a female partner—trust, a sense of humor, someone they enjoy hanging out with, someone who has similar interests and values, and of course, sex. You’d be surprised how similar these qualities are to those that women look for in a partner!
Next, you need to know where they can be found. I am sure you know where people hang out in the city. Bars, gyms, classes, work, clubs, the park, ball games, etc. If you cannot find someone interesting in the city, invest in a new pair of glasses.
Notice I didn’t say anything about looks. Everybody’s different, but you’ll need to do the best you can in that area and hope that nature sends the right signals to a potential partner. That’s part of chemistry, and as you know, chemistry can be random. Don’t worry about what you cannot control.
Know Your Brand
That’s you. Every so often it helps to take a step back and re-examine who we are, what we are and how we roll. Many of us make the same mistakes over and over when it comes to relationships. It could be our attitude towards the opposite sex, how we present ourselves, or even that mental checklist for sizing up potential partners that might include everything from his bank account or his shoes, to her height or her cup size. Yeah, that list. When it gets longer than one page, it’s too long.
Once you know who you are and what you want, consider what qualities you can offer a potential partner that is totally you—your special sauce, if you will. Yes, like on a Big Mac. If you can’t come up with three good reasons why you are special and a great catch, then is it fair to expect some someone else to figure that out on their own from the get-go?
Get Out There and Close the Deal
Once you know your market and where they live (fish where the fish are), and know who you are and that you are fantastic and probably the best thing that will ever happen to your potential partner—you need to get up and get out. You’re not going to meet someone if you stay home watching Netflix, traipse around the city with your earbuds permanently plugged in, and only hanging out with your circle of friends. Just be you and love your life.
A few laps around the online dating track can work wonders if you have some common sense and confidence. Same goes for taking a class, running, or even just sunning in the park. Always remind yourself to have fun and keep an open mind. Love shows up when you least expect it, but it helps if you are dressed for the part and wearing a smile.
Are you applying the right techniques to find yourself a mate?
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Photo credit: Getty Images