How we match
We use a sophisticated yet simple Christian dating matching system that was designed based on our matching philosophy.
So let’s talk about how we match? The number one priority for us when matching members together is the provision of choice. We aim to provide members with as much choice as possible, because what we’ve seen from years of experience – both professionally and personally – is that sometimes (in fact more often than might be supposed) the most unlikely people get together. Furthermore research by some of the largest matching agencies in the world shows that although people may state they only ‘want’ someone with a, b, or c characteristics, they actually contact and end up with someone with c,f and e characteristics. As a result of this we don’t select matches for members based on a detailed set of criteria – like interests, height, denomination, marital status etc. Rather we ensure that these details are included in each members profile, so that individual members can make up their own minds about another member based on all characteristics as a whole. We do however match on age – so if you’re 25 you’re not going to be sent 75 year olds, and if you’re 60 you’re not going to be sent 30 year olds (unless you particularly want that and the 30 year olds do too!) the reason being that although you do very occasionally see people together with a massive age difference this is the exception rather than the rule.
How we match and the success rate behind our matching philosophy
A huge number of the couples that have got married through us would NOT have even had each others details if we used a matching system that took into account factors like location, height, marital status, occupation, smoking etc. For almost everyone who insists they won’t marry someone who is x, we can find a previous member who also said that to us, and then happily went onto marry someone with x. And we have literally hundreds of these examples. This knowledge about human behaviour also determines how we match our members because if we did take everyone’s critieria into account then we would be far less able to circulate members details to each other. Just take a look at our couples stories – because reading and seeing what has happened to others will show you that how we match is far more sensible than you might at first think it is. In short our couples success stories and couples video testimonials, shows the success rate and shows that our matching philosophy is working.
Why is human nature like this? It’s quite simple really. The image you have in your mind of who you would like to be with is just that. An image, a mindset. But when you meet real people (people who are multifaceted and who have qualities and characteristics that are hard to define on paper – like kindness or something about them that makes you feel alive and joyful), something happens in your heart (and head) – possibly the process of falling in love that changes you – and your pre-conceived ideas of what you thought you wanted. It’s hard to put this into words but it happens each time we meet someone. As we get to know them they appear differently to what we first saw. The extreme example of this is illustrated in the fairy tale – Beauty and the Beast – Beauty falls for the Beast because of what she discovers about him and his character as she gets to know him.
It’s because of this that we try hard not to limit which matches we send to members in each mailing of other members profiles. In fact it a key principle behind how we match. It does mean however that some of the people we send you may seem unsuitable at first glance – but it also means that a computer is not restricting who you meet, thereby reducing the opportunities you have of meeting that person who is just right for you. As a result of all this, the profiles we write of each member form the heart of how members find out about each other and how we match. (But bear in mind however good a profile is, it’s still only a shadow of the person!). How we match determines how friends1st will work for you – and obviously we want that to be as fantastic as possible.
How we match – Our profiles
Each member has their own unique profile written for them which is updatable at any time. This forms the heart of how members contact each other.
We have two types of profile. They don’t affect how we match our members together but definitely affect how contacts who!
A standard profile is written based on the information you provide on your application from.
An enhanced profile is where we spent half an hour with you on the telephone asking you much more about you and your life. From this conversation we then write up a much more informed (possibly more rounded) profile which can set you apart from other members.
All members profiles give you all the information you need to make a decision about whether to contact or reply to someone who has contacted you.
See below for how a standard and enhanced profile would look and the sort of information it includes. All memberships include a minimum of two optional photographs – many people include them – a few don’t – it’s entirely up to each member. You have the choice to include up to six photographs on your profile and we strongly recommend doing this.
Standard profiles for a man and a woman
| Name: Jenny, Age 37 from London | ||||||
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| Name: Ian, Age 40 from London | ||||||
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Our enhanced profile service
In the profiles below we show you how Anthony’s profile looked as a standard profile and then how it read as an enhanced profile.
Enhanced profiles are not always necessarily longer, although they may be in some instances. Having an enhanced profile does not affect how we match you but does affect who might contact you – and even whether someone will contact you.
Anthony’s standard Profile
| Name: Anthony, Age 64 from Hove | ||||||
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Anthony’s Enhanced Profile
| Name: Anthony, Age 64 from Hove | ||||||
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Read More…
How to be the One
Serious about relationships - then this book is for you!
How to be the One
Serious about relationships - then this book is for you!