It’s normal to feel anxious about what the right etiquette is when it comes to sending messages, especially second messages. Everyone who has dated online has been there: you’ve seen an interesting profile, sent a thoughtful message, and now you’re waiting for a reply. A day goes by. Then another. Still nothing. What now? Should you follow up? Is it polite? Is it pushy? Have they even seen your original message? The truth is, there’s no hard and fast rule, but there are ways you can increase your chances of getting a response.

Writing a dating profile can sometimes feel daunting. Not only are you trying to sum up your whole life in a few short paragraphs, but you’re hoping to share a sense of the sort of person you’re hoping to meet on Christian Connection, too. While we know it’s important to mention a few of our own best qualities in our profiles, sometimes the way we describe what we’re looking for can accidentally send the wrong message. Here’s why writing a positive dating profile can help.

When going on a trip, it’s always good to make plan and have a map. When going through life, you have a plan too, with goals and stops along the way that are important to you. So how do you communicate this to a potential life partner? When should you talk to someone you’re dating about what matters to you? How can you make sure you’re dating in the same direction, knowing that you’re on the same path where it matters? Of course, meeting someone new may bring new goals and new stops along the way as you explore new viewpoints, but there are certain things you will want to know you’re aligned on from the beginning.