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11 Best Alternatives to Online Dating

11 Best Alternatives to Online Dating

Meeting people through online dating websites and apps have become the norm. Long gone are the days where you would sheepishly huddle in your bedroom, out of sight from roommates while creating an OkCupid profile.

People are loud and proud when it comes to online dating ventures, with many couples letting people know they met online when asked about their love story.

As a dating coach and matchmaker, I’m thrilled that online dating has become so mainstream. It’s a great way to connect with people you wouldn’t run into otherwise and can really amp up your game when it comes to strategies like MegaDating (more on that in a bit).



But online dating shouldn’t be the only thing in your arsenal when it comes to seeking a long-term relationship. In this article, I am detailing 11 of the top alternatives to online dating. But before we get to said alternatives, I want to elaborate on a dating strategy that can shed some light on why you need to arm yourself with so many different options when it comes to your personal dating toolbox.

MegaDating

In essence, MegaDating is a dating strategy that provides a foundation for a myriad of dating strategies. MegaDating is a dating process that involves dating several different women at the same time in order to diffuse energy and keep your social calendar full.

When you MegaDate, you’re less likely to get caught up in the chase because you’ll be occupied with several different people at the same time. This is important because chasing after one woman at a time can increase your chances of getting friend-zoned. Moreover, rejection is harder to handle when you’re not MegaDating.

Conversely, MegaDating teaches you to put yourself out there and roll with the punches. This makes it easier to accept rejection and helps you avoid settling for the mediocre.

Also, MegaDating is straight up fun. By opening yourself to new experiences and adding a ton of events to your social calendar, you’ll be having a blast while seeing firsthand that there truly are plenty of fish in the sea.

But to MegaDate you (obviously) need to meet a ton of women to ask out on a date. Hence this list. Let’s get started, shall we?

The Best Alternatives to Online Dating 

Meet Through Friends

Meeting a partner through friends may be one of the best alternatives to online dating. Despite what movies and sitcoms may have us believe, meeting the love of your life is rarely an act of serendipity.

In fact, a majority of people tend to meet their significant other through friends, according to a study. A survey of 2,373 people between the ages of 18-34 found that most people had met their significant other through mutual friends.

In fact, according to the study, 40% of people said they were platonic friends with their current girlfriend or boyfriend before taking things to a romantic level- here’s an article on What to Talk About on a Date When You Already Know the Person if this is your situation. 

If you want to meet a woman in person at a friend’s event — assuming it is a trusted friend — consider letting your friend know that you are single and hoping to meet someone. They may be able to practice some matchmaking skills to expedite the process.

Speed Dating

Speed dating is a great option because it’s basically MegaDating at lightning speed. When you go to a speed dating event, you get face-to-face with several different women at one time. And because each face-to-face interaction lasts for a very limited time, it’s less pressure.



Thus, speed dating allows you to work on your charisma and increase your confidence.

Finally, every single woman there is looking for a date! You don’t have to worry about mustering up the nerve to ask a woman out only to find out she has a boyfriend or husband.

Speed dating events are available all over. To find one, simply Google “speed dating events near you” and find a variety of options. Eventbrite is another great place to find speed dating options near you. Finally, the website/app Meetup is another great way to find speed dating events.

Speaking of Meetup…

Meetup

Yes, it’s a website, but Meetup is not exclusively geared toward singles, which makes it one of the best alternatives to online dating. Meetup allows people within your community to connect via a variety of groups and events based on particular interests.

These interests can range from dive bars to cooking classes, to book clubs, to — well, basically anything under the sun.

People often don’t know each other when first attending an event, so you don’t need to feel awkward. It’s also a great way to get to know people without the added pressure of it being an official date.

Adventure Groups

You can find adventure groups in your area on websites like Meetup or by doing a Google search. Adventure groups offer a broad range of outdoor activities, like:

-Hiking

-City tours

-Kayaking

-Skiing



-Biking and more

It’s great to meet a woman while getting physical. Exercise releases endorphins, which are going to increase your confidence by boosting your mood. Plus, finding a group that you like means you can meet women who share the same interests as you.

Shared interests are important when it comes to crafting date ideas and building connections with people that can lead to long-term relationships. 

Co-ed Sports

Join an adult sports league that practices after work to meet singles with shared interests. You can reach out to friends, check out adult sports leagues on Craigslist, do a Google search in your city, or reach out to colleagues and form your own.

The important thing is that you choose something you’re interested in where you won’t feel a lot of pressure and have fun.

Go to Street Fairs and Farmers Markets

Street fairs and farmers markets are a great place to meet new people while having fun. Plus, we all need to eat so meeting a woman while also picking up some produce is two birds, one stone.

Meet Someone at Work

Another one of the best alternatives to online dating is simply meeting someone through a co-worker.

However, you must (MUST) proceed with caution when it comes to this option. If you meet someone through a colleague and it goes awry, that can come back to bite you. The girl may rag on you to your co-worker and now suddenly things are awkward between you two at the office.

Moreover, if you date a co-worker and that goes awry, it can make the 40 or more hours you spend a week at your place of employment a living hell.

Keep the following in mind before you date a co-worker:

-Make sure that there is no policy at your place of employment when it comes to dating your co-worker



-DO NOT date your superior or subordinate, regardless of how lax your work policy is

-Practice discretion while dating. Office gossips love a juicy story and you don’t want your burgeoning relationship to become a source of scrutiny at the workplace

-Don’t flirt via the company’s chat or email servers

-Don’t hook up at the office. Let me repeat that: DON’T. HOOK. UP. AT. THE. OFFICE.

Become a Regular at a Trendy Coffee Shop

Become a regular at a trendy coffee shop and pay attention to who comes in all the time. When you keep seeing someone you like, strike up a conversation- and don’t be afraid to get rejected while approaching this woman. There are several learning lessons to getting rejected. Plus, it might be her first time every seeing you, so use some long game.

Moreover, frequenting coffee shops is also a great way to practice your social skills. In fact, it’s a great idea to go and chat with baristas an hour or so before an actual date. This gets you “warmed up” for a conversation with the woman you’re taking out.

Go Out and Say “Hi” to 10 New People a Week

Here’s a fun challenge.

Go out and say “hi” to 10 new people a week. Make good eye contact, sport a friendly smile and simply say “hi.” If you really want to kick it up a notch, you can follow up with a “how are you?”

This is going to help you improve your social skills, meet women and fuel all your other efforts when it comes to alternatives to online dating.

Talking to strangers may seem like a scary prospect, particularly if you’re shy. Putting yourself out there, even by simply saying “hi,” gets you out of your head and increases confidence.

Meet Women While on Vacation

If you’re going on a solo adventure or planning something with fellow singles, a vacation can be one of the best ways to meet women.

Sure, it may not be as likely that a romance across the country or abroad will lead to anything long-term, but it can be a great way to practice approaching women and increase your confidence.



Bars

The bar scene is a common place for singles to connect with other people looking for love. There is nothing wrong with meeting a woman at a bar and plenty of long-term couples originally stumbled upon each other while painting the town red on a Saturday night.

But you need to be careful when using this route. You shouldn’t depend solely on the bar scene when it comes to finding a long-term relationship. Sure, tons of women frequent bars, but keep in mind that some of those women may be alcoholics or girls who are still sewing their wild oats and have no interest in a relationship.

I understand if you’re super against meeting a long term partner at a bar. Here’s an article on Where to Meet Women Other than Bars if this is you.

Hire emlovz

If you want assistance when it comes to alternatives to online dating — or any other issue you’ve encountered in the dating world — we’re here to help.

As experienced dating coaches and matchmakers for men, we’ve worked with tons of guys just like you and helped them find lasting love.

Along our years of experience and wealth of knowledge, we can offer you a female perspective so that you understand exactly what women want and what they don’t want.

Ready to get started?

Head over to my calendar and book a new client 1-on-1 Zoom session with me or one of my other coaches today.

During your session, we’ll diagnose your current dating roadblocks, create an individualized action plan, and see if my coaching or matchmaking programs could help you reach your goals! 

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