You’re browsing your online dating site when you see a profile that catches your attention. You want to contact the writer of this profile, and you hope it leads to future conversation. This can be stressful.

Fortunately, it is possible to write e-mails guaranteed to attract other singles.

The key is to not rely on generic e-mail messages when first contacting the writers of online profiles. You want to show in your e-mail message that you actually read the profile you are responding to. You also want to show a bit of your own personality, your likes and hobbies, in your e-mail.

The profile that attracted you may have mentioned that the writer loves French cuisine. Your e-mail response, then, might include a mention of a top French restaurant in the area, or maybe your own favorite French dish.

This is far more effective than a generic e-mail message that says nothing about you or the writer of the profile that attracted your attention.

Remember, the person who wrote that profile may receive several e-mail messages a day from other dating site members. Your job when writing that initial e-mail message is to initiate the beginnings of a conversation. You won’t do that with a bland e-mail message that says little.

It takes time to write an effective e-mail introduction. Unfortunately, too many dating site members rush through this in their haste to start a conversation.

If you take your time, acknowledge that you actually read a profile and include a tidbit or two about yourself, the odds are good that your e-mail message will stand out.