A dating service can be an excellent business to start because so many people are looking for Mr. or Ms. Right. If you have what it takes, you can help people find their soul mate, or at least a few good dating prospects. With many services currently available to people, it is important to do some homework and determine your niche in this market. Your reputation to make solid relationship matches will determine the success of your business.
Instructions
1. Research your target locale. Determine which demographics will most benefit from your services. Will you cater to busy professionals? Divorced people? Strictly Christians? Those new to the area?
2. Plan how you will best serve your clients. Will you plan regular outings where they can meet in a large group setting? Are small group lunch dates more preferable for your clients? Do they want one-on-one dates?
3. Host a few singles parties to gain experience at matchmaking. Ask people to invite single friends. You can have an informal mixer at your house. Or rent out a space like a cooking school and charge everyone a small fee. Having a social activity will help relax everyone, hopefully lessening any awkwardness. Ask participants to fill out a sheet about with whom they would like to go on a date with. Then set up those whom have a mutual interest in each other. Follow-up with participants to see what they liked about the event, what could be done differently, and how their date(s) went.
4. Contact your local Secretary of State to register a business name and determine what, if any, business licenses you need to obtain.
5. Ask for referrals from friends and family members. Word of mouth is a great way to promote your business. Friends and family want to see you succeed.
6. Advertise your business. Hand out fliers at local events such as concerts, art fairs, or churches. Rent a table at women's expos, golf shows, or sporting events. Find where the singles are and market to them.
7. Launch your business and start matchmaking. Be sure to keep track of what went right and wrong in each match you make. This will help you know where you are succeeding and where you could use improvement in your matchmaking skills.
8. Re-evaluate your business. With a dating service business that has so much competition, it's important to periodically re-evaluate your business to ensure you are doing all you can to stay at the top. Is it time to expand? Should you take your business to the Internet? Would partnering with local businesses, such as event planning services, help expand your clientele?
