Online dating, internet dating, cyber dating, you decide the phrase. However, meeting your perfect soul mate through online dating appears to be the latest anger. But, how do you really sell yourself, in a truthful manner, and snag the perfect guy? Try these 5 Online Dating Tips and see your compatibility scores score!

Tip #1 Choose an Online Dating Service

Once you have decided to take the plunge into online dating, you need to research the online dating services. There are essentially four different types of online dating services.

1. General Online Dating Services. General Online Dating services give you with the capability to view everyone who has posted a profile and these sites are predominately expected at dating.

2. Relationship Services. This service will match you with others based on compatibility testing. Relationship Services are geared more for those who are contemplating a long-term relationship or marriage.

3. Social Network Services. These are free sites that are targeted for the slow rolling dater who is out to make friends and, hopefully, in the process find a mate.

4. Niche Dating Services. This is an extremely targeted service that works to carry people who have common interests together-i.e.: vegetarians, millionaires, etc.

Decide which online dating service will meet your dating goals.

Tip #2 Create Your Profile

After you have chosen the appropriate service your next task will be to complete an awesome profile. Your profile is a key element to catch someone's interest. Write a profile that is positive, upbeat and lively. Avoid the "poor me" saga. It's a good idea to sail around the site and look at other profiles for ideas.

Tip #3 Pick Flattering Photographs

Along with creating your profile, the next most important element in your profile is your photo. Don't pick out the last photo you had taken at the local photography shop. Instead, choose pictures that show you having fun-perhaps that crazy picture you had taken with Santa at last year's office party. Try to select pictures that are not more than ten months old.

Tip #4 Always Be Truthful

The temptation when considering online dating is to create the person that you would like to be, not the person that you are. After all, you probably won't actually meet these people, right? If you are really looking for your soul mate through internet dating, the last thing that you want to do is beautify your age, you job, etc. If you would find that special someone then the trust would be broken when they find out that you are really 43 not 34. Always be truthful in what you post.

Tip #5 Protect Your Identity

Always protect your identity. Online dating is very similar to regular dating in that you would never give all of your private information to someone that you just met. The same applies to online dating. First get to know someone and once you feel that they can be trusted, then, and only then, should you reveal your private information. Even at that point, don't be an open book. Slowly reveal information to test the individual. Your instincts will tell you if it's right. Trust your intuition.