First dates are tricky. You don’t just want to make a good impression; you also want to avoid doing something that would cause everything to go off the rails. But what if your first date happens to be on an adult dating site like ? Even though thousands of people use adult online dating sites every year, even more people simply aren’t aware of how it works. Dating via webcam chat is an entirely different process than what many people are used to, and it calls for an adjustment in strategy. Fortunately, if you’re heading into your first online date with some pro tips on your side, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself instead of worrying whether or not you’re doing it right.

#1: Prioritize camera quality over cologne

…Or perfume, as the case may be. Your date won’t be able to tell what you smell like, but they’ll be able to see what you look like, so that’s what you want to optimize. Presumably you’ll be dressing for the occasion, and that’s a solid start – but you have a bit further to go. You can’t rely on your mirror to confirm that you look like a million bucks, because if you have a low-resolution webcam, you could end up being seriously undervalued.

For that reason, consider buying a webcam that can show you off in at least 720p. You won’t even have to spend that much; if you look around for the best values, you might even spend less on your new webcam than you would on a nice restaurant meal for two. Plus, it’ll last far longer than just the first date!

Bonus tip: make sure your lighting is flattering as well. A badly lit online date simply doesn’t look good, high-resolution or not. Use diffuse light sources rather than direct beams, and avoid extreme angles.

#2: Show that you’re serious

Online dating can offer certain advantages over conventional dating, sure, but it also has some limitations if your idea of a perfect date is going somewhere as a couple. Planning a date night and/or picking up the tab are a couple of ways to show that you’re invested in the person you’re stepping out with, but what’s an acceptable equivalent for an online date?

This is where you can really get creative. First of all, consider how your chosen dating site is set up. Are you meeting people randomly, and all you know about your potential partners is that they’re also interested in adult dating? The alternative is that you’ve already met each other on the platform, and you’re looking to take your relationship to the next level.

In the first example, you could set the atmosphere with your background – candles, some flowers, and maybe a bedroom setting if that’s where you want things to go. If you’ve been planning the date in advance, you could get some food delivered and have a romantic meal together, watch a movie online, or a dozen other activities that can easily be done via webcam chatting.

#3: Be up-front about what you’re looking for

Honesty is always a good idea on a first date, but with online dating, it’s actually preferred if you move straight to bluntness. Adult online dating can remove a lot of the usual sensitivity that’s expected with in-person dating, so it’s common for a webcam chat to start out with the participants simply stating what they’re interested in right off the bat. Some people go online to find a long-term relationship, while others just want a one-time fling. In order to keep anyone from getting their wires crossed, it just works better if you’re open about what you want.

Of course, there are right and wrong ways to express yourself, just like with most things. You don’t have to beat around the bush; the other person is probably already expecting you to say what’s on your mind. The main thing to avoid is sounding like your expectations automatically apply to the other person. They might not have the same idea about how your date could go, and things could get awkward if you make assumptions that they aren’t comfortable with. Just keep things chill, and see if you can arrive at a happy medium if the two of you don’t want the same outcome.

Read more