Location, Location, Location (URL, URL, URL!)
Firstly, find a social networking site that services your part of the world. I am based in Singapore, and Friendster's huge over here. So that's my target market.
Product Placement
When you join such a network, you've gotta make a profile. This is the time where you show or at least hint at the world who you're not. On such networks, everyone appears ten times more interesting than they actually are. Everyone has a life or so it seems. Its a pretense and its all part of the game.
Sort through your pictures. The pictures you post of yourself often leaves an impression in people. And often the image you portray is often the jumping-off point for all future conversations. Sometimes its the reason why people want to begin talking to you.
A staid, nice picture attracts nice safe people. But it diminishes the possibility of people viewing u as the adventurous, raunchy sort.
A goofy, random but affable, cute picture makes you out to be some kind social misfit but still fits in somewhat.
A well groomed pic that speaks of money spent at a makeover salon can cut both ways. It may mean that you're desperate or that you are keen to portray a good image in front of new friends.
Leverage
Don't be random. Use the power of the friends you know to get u access to the people you want to meet. Trawl through the list of friends that your friends have made. Chances are you'll spot one or two ravishing beauties or gorgeous hunks.
Remember the rule: No More than 2 from a List. Why? Cause any more than two leaves people feeling like you're a scummy spammer who's only out to increase their social network - a degenerate kind of social climber who cares not the value of the relationship (Its all about perception. Superficial, I know.)
Profiling
Know the person. Or at least approximate their personality profile. A helpful hint is to figure out their horoscope and from there build upon that personality framework. Be flexible in your interpretation. Human Beings are unique beings and horoscopes merely hint at the general outlines of a person's character or preponderance. Figure out what they like. And if you're realli evil fake interest or if you're lucky perhaps you have some specialized knowledge of that field.
Top tip: Never let yourself be seen as fake. If you do, you risk losing your reputation. If you are ever caught in such a situation, just pretend that its normal and make it out to seem that you're just a 'complex' person. 'Multi-faceted' as they say and move on. People are hypocrites. They are quick to judge others but slow to scrutinize themselves. Forgive and move on.
Close in for the kill
Email or message the person. Be directly indirect. Let me explain, you want to get to know them thats why you send an email in the first place. But you gotta do it in such a way as to arouse their attention and interest.
The usual template:
- Compliment on their looks, wit, charm etc
- Say something tastefully erudite that hints at some intellectual connection. (Everyone thinks we're smart, but in fact we're really stupid. Including the author!)
- Wrap it up with a warm friendly gesture.
- Send!
You never finish building your networks if you keep this up. Remember that relationships based on deceit is often undone by the weight of its lies. Keep things light and easy, be friends with everybody and when it comes down to the time to meet that special person, you'll know it when you get there. Things will work itself out.
