How to send the first message?

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Online dating is pretty much my only hope for ever getting a girlfriend. I'm on several dating sites, but nobody ever seems to respond to my messages. Maybe it's how I'm initiating the conversation. I'll read their profile, and then incorporate something I saw in it into the message. It usually goes something like, "Hi, [Name]. You sound like a really cool woman. My name's Adam. I'd really like to get to know you. Your profile says you like [thing]. Who/what is your favorite [thing]?" I might add, "I like [thing] too! My favorite [thing] is [other thing]."

Is that too boring to reply to? I only message women I have common interests with, so I figure the best way to break the ice is to bring up a subject of mutual interest and get them talking about it, and then move on to more personal stuff later. Except, it doesn't work. What am I doing wrong? Am I supposed to start sweet talking them right off the bad? Because if that's the case, I may as well give up right now.

From my own experience, I'd suggest keeping it as simple as "Hi, how are you?" or along those lines. That tends to work best.

You sure? From what I've heard, women can receive dozens of messages a day, and the ones that just say "Hi," Hey," "Hey, how are you?" have nothing to catch their eye and are thrown right out.

Honestly what you described has always been my sort of method as well. Pick something common that you both like that you see from her profile, and maybe try to strike up a conversation about it. I absolutely hate getting messages that are just 'hey' or whatever, because it has zero substance and doesn't give you anything to respond to.

Perhaps the problem is something else? It's kind of unfortunate but you have to make sure that you 'market' yourself well on your own profile, and definitely read hers before you message. The whole thing. She might have already stated on there why she's not gonna respond.

Hm. I'm pretty far from the most experienced on dating sites, but from what I've done using them on-and-off for a few years:

The messages you've described do sound a little rigid and overly formal. And you're right that "hi" won't really catch anyone's attention if they get a lot of messages, it comes off as boring. I'd spark a conversation based on one of the interests she lists. For example, one girl I was talking with a few weeks ago said she loved The Office. So, I started with a Michael Scott quote. Another had a famous poet's name as her username, so after my "hey" I went "Byron and Shelley > (her favorite poet). " That lets her know it's an interest of mine too, and that I can talk about it.

Also don't be afraid to be humorous, playfulness helps with getting a reply. Or ask a question, like Alliekit said above.

That's excellent advice. Ask somebody about what they are interested in.

If it's an esoteric interest, that's even more incentive to ask. You're guaranteed a response if a woman, say, is interested in the Civil War, and you ask about a certain battle.