Dating Advice for Singles

No Detail Too Small: Digging Deep for the Perfect Match

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

The Linx Dating client experience goes far beyond merely signing up and looking through a set of headshots in a database. Our comprehensive matchmaking services include thorough screening, detailed vetting, and an in-depth understanding of each client's unique needs and preferences so that we can maximize the chance of success.

To start, Linx cherry picks the clients we feel we can really help, and weeks of work goes in behind-the-scenes to get to know the client on a much deeper level before any matchmaking even takes place. I think one of the things I love most about running Linx is this huge “discovery process” and the unexpected twists and turns that it can take. Many matchmakers stick to doing a Zoom session to onboard a new client. I not only typically do this early work in person, but further request that my client open his/her inner world to me (and often my team) to help give me critical insights, a backstory, and facts that I would never know if we were not to fully immerse. For example, I regularly visit a client’s home and workplace if welcomed and appropriate, favorite hangout spots, and even speak to their close circle of friends and community of supporters to glean a broader perspective as I collect data.

In fact, in the last 7 days, I have chatted for 3 hours in one of my new VIP client’s living room, with three of her best friends, enjoyed meals together with her, walked through her homes to garner more information, all with the intention to pick up on the nuances, the grey zones, and to see if I can come up with any epiphanies along the way. Moreover, as I have moved past the initial in-person, I have done multiple follow-up Zoom calls with additional close friends and colleagues of hers from around the world.

These deep dive immersions are spectacular. They are like a flower that begins to open up and bloom. The client feels excited when he/she sees my eyes light up and realizes that my team is getting multiple steps closer to isolating the “the type” of person he/she needs, and to also be mindful of what is NOT a fit.

At Linx, not only do we work on this “discovery” process which is light years ahead of the current standard in the matchmaking industry; we prep the client for the dating world via the right photography, wardrobe, and any other personal life management so that they feel beyond ready, on their game, and can step forward with 100% with a confident stride and major pep in their step.

All of these elements I have mentioned here also play the additional role of building further trust with the client. As I reflect back on many clients (VIP and other) over the years, although the initial connection was likely made when they began to “know of me” over the years by attending my events or reading about my business on the periphery, the growth of our working relationship accelerated once they were ready to become a client and we began spending considerable time together over meals, conversations, and getting more and more comfortable each time.

This is a huge investment of time, emotion, energy, and money for a prospective client and definitely not for everyone. It’s not like waving a wand, doing a quick Zoom, and boom, someone is a new client. As I hope you can now see, these relationships take time to nurture and require patience and commitment.

Then again, a potential client is looking to make some of the most important decisions in his/her life – whom to marry and potentially with whom to have children… and any process around those kinds of decisions should not be taken lightly.

While this matchmaking methodology is not for the faint of heart, for the handful of golden clients who decide that it is, we treasure, and take great care in guiding, them every step of the way until they reach the finish line.

The Power of Gratitude Practices in Romantic Relationships

By Dani Geary for Linx Dating

Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the small moments that make our romantic relationships special. One potent and often underestimated tool, for fostering connection and deepening intimacy in a relationship, is gratitude. The practice of expressing appreciation and thankfulness can have an incredible impact on relationships, by nurturing love and understanding.

The Impact of Gratitude on Romantic Relationships

Gratitude is more than just a polite gesture… It is a transformative force that can reshape the dynamics of a romantic relationship. When partners express and receive gratitude, it creates a positive cycle that reinforces mutual appreciation and strengthens the emotional bond. Here are some more specific key benefits of incorporating gratitude into your romantic relationship:

  1. Better Communication

  2. Increased Relationship Satisfaction

  3. Stress Reduction

  4. Building Resilience

How to Introduce Gratitude into Your Romantic Relationship

Now that we understand the impact of gratitude, let's dive into some easy ways to incorporate it into your romantic relationship:

1. Daily Gratitude Rituals

Take a few minutes each day or even just once a week to share something for which you're grateful. This can be a specific act your partner did, a quality you appreciate, or a shared moment. Establishing this ritual helps create a habit.

2. Gratitude Journaling

Encourage each other to keep a gratitude journal. Set aside time weekly to write down things you are grateful for in your partner and your relationship. You can share your journal entries with each other to deepen the connection.

3. Surprise Thank You Notes   

Surprise your partner with handwritten thank-you notes expressing appreciation for something they've done. It could be a simple gesture, a supportive action, or a characteristic you adore. These unexpected notes can create moments of joy and genuine connection.

2 Simple Gratitude Exercises for Couples

1. The Appreciation Game

Set aside time for a dedicated "appreciation session." Each partner takes turns expressing three things they appreciate about the other.

2. Gratitude Jar

Keep a shared gratitude jar in your living space. Whenever you feel grateful for something your partner has done, write it on a small piece of paper and place it in the jar. Take turns reading the notes during moments of connection.

By incorporating some of these simple yet impactful gratitude practices into your routine, you can create a foundation of appreciation, understanding, and connection.

Ask Amy: How Do I Overcome Romantic Rejection

Question:

(Man, 32, San Francisco) [Single- actively dating]

Hi Amy- Putting myself out there was easy. Keeping myself out there is turning out to be harder. I recently went out with a lovely woman and, after the third date, she decided we weren’t a match. I thought everything was going well, so I’m confused to say the least. What do you think? Do I ask her what happened or should I just move on? 

Andersen Advice:

Oh yes, dating can definitely feel like a roller coaster. You aren’t alone when it comes to the highs and lows. The excitement of new love can feel like walking on clouds, but when you get rejected or ghosted, it can trigger a lot of uncomfortable feelings that lead to questions like “Am I good enough?” or “What is the point of dating anyway?” Depending on the rejection, the feelings can linger and lead to heavy blues. Let’s take a closer look at rejection and figure out how to manage it better.

To explain rejection fully, you need to understand that there is a chemical reaction happening in the background that directly impacts your mood and perspective. When we hear someone say they aren’t interested, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline—the same hormones that cause the "fight or flight" response. Your body might start sweating or your heart might start beating fast. This stress response is how the body copes with a perceived threat. In this case, rejection is a threat to our self-esteem. 

When the stress hormones fade away, you can count on the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that regulates emotions and makes decisions, to get activated. The level of emotional response varies depending on your personality, but it’s highly likely that you’ll experience sadness, anger, or frustration. Additionally, the mesolimbic system, or the brain's reward system, which is responsible for pleasure and motivation, is also impacted by rejection and can leave you feeling tired and unmotivated.

I understand how disheartening it can be to get turned down in the dating game. It can feel like you're not good enough, that there's something wrong with you, or that love just isn't in the cards for you. When I have clients going through rejection, I try to help them reframe. 

Approach rejection as an exchange of information, not a reflection of your worth. When someone turns you down, it’s not that you weren’t good enough, it’s that you two were not the right fit. As much as the message may sting in the moment, it is a gift that will allow you to move on with your life faster and find a better fit for you. 

Getting the love you want is a journey, and it takes time. Instead of dwelling on the rejection, get excited about what’s in store. Focus on the relationship you want and behave the way you’d want to be treated. When you are firm on your standards and clear on what’s important to you, you are more likely to attract people who share your values.

Most importantly, don't give up on love! It's easy to feel discouraged after getting turned down, but remember that every "no" brings you one step closer to a "yes". Keep putting yourself out there, keep meeting new people, and stay true to your standards. Love is out there for you.

Affectionately yours,

Amy

DateSpot Interview for Singles- Amy Andersen

By: Carla Swiryn , CEO & Founder of DateSpot

We’re back with Amy Andersen (AA) of Linx Dating, “Silicon Valley’s Cupid”, and one of DateSpot’s valued amazing partners. In our second half of the installment, she speaks to DateSpot (DS), sharing her wisdom for singles about dating, sex, marriage, plus more about her business and success.

DS: What separates Linx from other matchmaking companies?

AA: It’s really about basic supply, demand, and having a very strong global brand. 20 years of super-serving our niche target customer (clients are at an elite level in life - highly educated, successful, dynamic, high caliber professionals who desire commitment and monogamy) has led to an exponentially-growing network of primarily word-of-mouth referrals from happy clients and a strong reputation globally.

We have a highly coveted, robust database to start with, coupled with that same network’s ability to help us do outbound recruiting and hone in quickly on what our clients seek. So we get results by targeted quality (vs quantity, like the apps), and we do it all by protecting our clients’ privacy.    

Beyond this, at Linx there is no “one type fits all” model to work together and our memberships are completely tailored and curated to reflect the needs of the client. The information to achieve this customization starts during the preliminary meet-and-greet stage with me in person- typically over a shared meal and relaxing conversation. Our intake process is very personalized, clients work directly with me (the founder), I meet everyone in person, and do one of the most deep dives of any matchmaking firm I know of.  Most matchmakers I am aware of don’t meet clients in person and many at the executive level definitely do not do the matchmaking themselves.  They focus on sales or other initiatives. My clients know they will work directly with me and that is most likely one of the reasons they sign up with Linx. This is quite unique to the industry. This is also why I only take on a small group of clients annually.

Another unique differentiating point is that Linx also turns an extremely high percentage of business away. We only accept new clients that we genuinely feel we can help, deliver real results, and get to the finish line of being in a committed, healthy, happy, thriving relationship. We always steer these prospects in the right direction and introduce them to a wonderful matchmaker at another firm that can best serve their needs. DateSpot is a great example of an awesome professional relationship that Linx Dating has where we often send DateSpot amazing singles. 

DS: Do you advise clients on how they should date, and if so, what do you generally suggest?

AA: I provide a fair amount of date coaching for clients, usually only when they ask for it or I feel I need to in an extreme case.  When I do, I am pretty old school  - man should contact the woman first, pay for at least the first date, be a true gentleman (hold doors, etc.) I suggest that my clients have some “talking points” so that they can be prepared for conversation starters if that’s ever hard for them.  I suggest they do something that will relax and energize them prior to the date so that they are in position to have fun and put their best foot forward.  And, finally, I really encourage my female clients to give some verbal affirmations or other signs if they are into their date - men aren’t mind readers and all of that game playing nonchalant stuff can turn a guy off and squash any chemistry and chance for a second date.  The key to success is to prepare for the date mentally and physically (a little exercise), put your best foot forward, dress the part, and keep your energy light and relaxed. Nothing stuffy, heavy, or intense. 

DS: How long should two people wait to have sex?

AA: This is obviously highly personal and relationship-specific, but I generally caution my clients not to go there until they have formally gone “exclusive” with each other. Again, I’m pretty old school this way. Remember you’re not exclusive till you have the verbal talk. Don’t assume anything until a conversation has taken place! 

DS: What are single professionals or retirees often looking for in a partner, and what's something they should be looking for?

AA: I really try to get my clients to keep an open mind, and to focus on a few key qualities that might be most important to them, versus getting caught up in a long laundry list of objective qualities that they must see in every match.

DS: How many couples do you think you've successfully matched up in your lifetime?

AA: Hundreds and hundreds. Of course it all depends how you define success - is that multiple successful dates for a couple, is it exclusivity, or is it marriage? Majority of all of my couples in biological childbearing years have had at least one child together. And I am really proud to say that nearly all of my marriages are still together with the exception of a couple that did not work out for the long-term.

DS: What types of clients or search parameters do you NOT take on?

AA: Unfortunately, I have not tackled same-sex matches as I don’t yet have the depth of network or level of expertise to support it. 

DS: I know you are happily married; which pieces of advice are keys to your own marriage success?

AA: We get each other and respect each other’s independence and don’t crowd each other - we are both Type A and driven - but we always make time for each other to connect and get on the same page and will drop what we are doing if one needs the other.   We are also parents to a wonderful 9-year old son and two dogs who we love deeply and fortunately are on the same page with parenting and bond over that. Our marriage has strengthened and deepened since having a child. Every day I am so grateful for having met my husband some 17 years ago and be blessed with a child. There is no greater gift in the world. On top of this, we encourage honesty and try to always communicate for better or for worse. I try to laugh each day and encourage my husband to not take things too seriously and bring levity to the day through humor. 

With those marriage goals in mind, we’re wishing each of you all the personal and professional success that Amy has seen in her life. If you’re interested in potentially working with her, know that her fees are steep ($50K+), but if you’re fortunate enough to be in the position to be a client and to be accepted, she will do everything in her power to see you succeed like she has. You can check out her website at www.linxdating.com and her entertaining very active Instagram @ ms.linxdating.

Uncovering the Unconscious: The Key to Successful Dating

By Dani Geary for Linx Dating

Dating is a complex game, a delicate dance between conscious decisions and the often unchecked realm of the unconscious mind. It's a game with countless pieces, many of which we don't even realize are in play. How can we wrestle with the idea that thoughts hidden deep within our minds can influence our actions and shape our dating experiences? The answer lies in building trust within yourself, above all else.

Our unconscious thoughts are like the roots of a tree, growing beneath the surface, and they shape our behavior more than we might think.  We are the “total sum” of all of our life’s experiences - our thoughts and learned behaviors are generated as we live our lives. When our brains encounter trauma, as we grow older, our unconscious mind continues to spring into action, guiding our actions to "protect" us from perceived threats - they whisper to our conscious thoughts, steering them away from potential threats. Over time, if these unconscious thoughts go unchecked, they can justify behaviors that once kept us safe but may now be holding us back in the world of dating.

A potential key to growth and more successful dating is to dig deeper into your unconscious mind to understand these protective mechanisms and how they might be working in your specific case so that you can have some awareness and bring balance to your dating game. 


Here's your call to action:

  1. Self-reflection: Take some time to reflect on your past dating experiences. Are there recurring patterns or behaviors that you see and can you potentially trace them back to any past traumas in your life?

  2. Seeking support: As a progression beyond self-reflection, you might consider talking to a therapist or counselor who can help you explore these deeper layers of your mind by identifying traumas and working through any past issues that might be affecting your dating life.

  3. Mindfulness and meditation: Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, both conscious and unconscious. Meditation can be a valuable tool in understanding and managing your thoughts.  It can be a simple as setting aside five minutes to focus on your breathing in a quiet space or an active meditation class with others.

  4. Open communication: When dating, be open and honest with your partner about your thoughts and feelings. This can help you surface more hidden issues and aid you both in understanding each other on a deeper level to create a more meaningful connection.

In sum, trust yourself, actively embrace self-awareness, and pave the way for a more fulfilling and balanced dating experience. Your unconscious mind may be your protector, but with the right tools, you can guide it toward healthier and more successful choices in the world of dating.