I met my current GF of 2 years online. I'll be real, I'm a good looking guy, in college etc, I when I started to look for a relationship I decided to take advantage of all my resources. So while I was out meeting people at socials, parties, work, etc. I was also looking online too. Right before I met my current GF, things were starting to peak, I went out with like 20 girls in 3 months. Almost every single one of the good looking internet girls ended up being drug users, high school drop outs etc. I also met people who were not over their ex, or hot in their profile face pic and then all fat.
Volunteering and Church will net you the best Relationship success. Good people usually go to both and thats what you want for a Relationship.
Now what I did to get my current GF, compliment her haircut..... Most girls are going to be receiving tons of boring cheesy emails with "you're so gorgeous, etc, etc." You have to have something that stands out, not generic, not something you spam send to every girl, and is short.
So my message to her went something like this.
Nice Haircut,
I'll be real, I clicked on your profile because you're a good looking girl then I looked at the rest of your profile and we do share similar interests. I've been hiking at most of the parks in central Cali and am heading to Bryant for spring break. Have you been hiking anywhere recently?
Thats not what I sent, but it basically something along those lines.
So further here is my opinion of online dating,
young people
It is generally filled with social outcasts, most of the hot girls are people fresh out of a relationship and not use to meeting people elsewhere, people new to the area, people to busy to go out and meet others.
You want to target the later hot girl types, remember a lot of people are available because no one wants to be with them, yeah the competition is strong, but be unique and be real with what you are looking for. If you got a gut then chances are your match will have to have something similar.
For your profile picture have a friend take one where you are outside doing some activity, don't
Take a picture with you having a phone against your face...girls do this a lot
Take a picture with you in front of your car unless you want to pick up dudes
Take a picture with you looking all hard, sensitive, in your room holding a camera.
Girls do check out guys pictures, like we do for looks, but they often subconsciously look for ways you could lead them to fun things, then various other needs, job, education, a friend, someone to talk to etc.
Ok now for older people, anyone 35-80, the pickings can get slim, online dating isn't as common, divorcees, more social outcasts etc. The good news is people are more willing say communicate with whatever messages comes along. Bad news, more people are desperate, out of shape.
So anyways, remember search in other places besides the internets, target the these people "fresh out of a relationship and not use to meeting people elsewhere, people new to the area, people too busy to go out and meet others (careful of people who place job above everything). Don't settle, and keep yourself well prepared, in shape, etc.