Global Love Report

Author: Pamela Lugten

  • Vacci-dating: A Match that Shares Vaccination Values

    vial of moderna vaccine to illustrate vacci-dating

    Global Love Report – June 16, 2021
    A review article by Pamela Stephanie

    There’s a new trend emerging from the pandemic: vacci-dating. According to Krystal Walter, a matchmaker in Canada, vaccination is becoming more important. More and more of her clients are asking if their matches are similarly pro or anti-vaccine like they are.

    Vacci-dating became prominent after restrictions are slowly easing and people start to date offline. Additionally, even people dating online are placing their vaccination status to their profiles. Therefore, it’s not just matchmakers’ clients who are becoming more aware of vaccination status.

    Walter mentioned that whether or not someone is pro or anti-vaccination should be something they state in their profiles, provided they are comfortable disclosing that information. This is as important as a match’s religion or marital status.

    For the full article, please click here.

    Original article written by CTV News.

    (Image source: Unsplash, Ian Hutchinson)

  • Lazos Provides Services for Clients as Old as 89!

    elderly couple by the beach to illustrate Lazos Matchmaking Agency

    Global Love Report – June 16, 2021
    A review article by Pamela Stephanie

    Lazos Matchmaking Agency is combining matchmaking and relationship coaching in Spain.

    Alicia Lόpez Losantos is a psychologist and sociologist who is also the founder of Lazos, a matchmaking agency in Spain. The agency has 13 offices in Spain, four of them in the Andalusian region.

    But Lazos is not only a matchmaking agency. In fact, it offers emotional support for clients after breaking up or when they are lonely.

    Lazos Matchmaking Agency caters to a wide range of ages. Her clients range from 30 to 70 years old, highly educated, financially stable, and who want to have a stable relationship. They look for clients who want lasting relationships.

    As for the diverse age range, Losantos mentioned that in cities such as Malaga, they tend to have younger clients. However, in Seville, their clients tend to be those over the age of 45. In fact, she stated that 70% of people who contacted her agency in Seville tend to be between 65 to 75 years old. Her older client is actually an 89-year-old man from Cádiz.

    In terms of the type of clientele, Losantos mentions that clients in the Andalusian region don’t tend to stick to their own region. They don’t mind meeting someone from another province as long as they find someone similar to them in character.

    For the full interview in Spanish, please click here.

    Original article written by Diario de Sevilla.

    (Image source: Unsplash, James Hose Jr.)

  • Rural Dating in the US: Opportunity for Matchmakers

    couple holding hands in a field to illustrate rural dating in the us

    Global Love Report – June 16, 2021
    Written by: Pamela Stephanie

    Rural dating in the US is not something that most matchmakers would consider, especially when most matchmaking agencies are located in urban areas. However, in states like Iowa, some 22.7% of men and 30.5% of women have never been married.

    There is also the issue of migration. Some young people move out of their hometowns for college and never move back. For those who do move back and for the ones who never left, the dating pool has shrunk dramatically.

    Not as Bad as China

    Fortunately, the problem with rural dating in the US is nowhere near the case in China. There are no bachelor villages in rural America like there are in rural China. And the problem is not so dire as to need government intervention.

    China needed a thinktank to come up with a way to solve the problem of unmarried men in rural areas: matchmake unmarried women in urban areas with these men. However, this idea was met with scorn by many of these women, with some citing that the differences between the lives of urban women versus rural men.

    Differences between Rural versus Urban

    While the income disparity of rural versus urban living may not be that big in the US, particularly when looking at someone in the urban area with a mid-level income compared to farmers or ranchers. In fact, the average base pay for someone in mid-level in US cities is $67,364 per year, according to Glassdoor. Whereas a May 2016 salary data for farmers and ranchers showed an average salary of $75,790 per year.

    Aside from the differences in income, there is also the fact that living in an urban area is different than living in a rural area. The question will be, would a match living in the city be willing to relocate to the countryside for a client and vice versa?

    Some Women Prefer Rural Dating

    Thankfully, it seems that there are those who actually prefer dating in rural areas. Take Thrillist’s Sex & Dating Editor, Nicole Caldwell, for example.

    Some women find it scary to go on a first date with a complete stranger, even with a full background check. That’s not the case in rural areas, though. In small towns, people tend to know one another. Even if they don’t know the person directly, they may know them through someone they know.

    To Caldwell, being able to know her potential date is a big plus. This way, she has less things to worry about.

    Advice for Matchmakers with Rural Clients

    For matchmakers who do have clients in rural areas, here are a couple of tips from dating coach Laurie Davis Edwards: tell the client to be patient. Tell them to call their match over the phone or Zoom a few times first. This is because oftentimes the potential match is usually a long drive away from them.

    Let the client be certain of the connection first before they commit to driving hours away for their date.

    Another tip that Davis Edwards has is valid for matchmakers who may have crop farmers as clients: reach out to a match before work is slow, which is usually after the growing season. That way, she says, they will have had time to build a connection before they finally have enough free time for dating.

    (Image Source: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez)

  • In-person Corona-safe Speed Date in Belgium

    man holding wine glass on a speed date to illustrate corona-safe speed dating

    Global Love Report – June 9, 2021
    A translated article by Pamela Stephanie

    In the abandoned Vetex factory in Kortrijk, more than 100 Kortrijk residents came together in person in order to look for love. This happened through corona-safe speed dates during the Sinksenfeesten festival.

    “During the times of Corona dating is not so simple. That’s why we try to give the people a helping hand,” stated Kelly’s en Tim’s Relatiebureau.

    The Sinksenfeesten in Kortrijk had a hard time this year due to Corona safety measures and the bad weather. But in the abandoned Vetex fabric factory, more than a hundred Kortrijk residents came together in person to speed date, in smaller groups of about 25 each. The candidates chat briefly in pairs at a table and then move on to the next participant.

    “The aim is to get to know new people with whom you can enter into a relationship. It can be that you will walk the dog together or just to go out for a night, but it can also be a romantic relationship,” said Kelly of Kelly’s en Tim’s Relatiebureau. “Based on the information that they filled out in our digital friends’ book, we look for people that match with each other. We then invited them for a speed dating session.”

    Whether couples are created after a speed date is not certain. “But we think that there is at least 1 match among the candidates,” laughed Kelly and Tim.

    To read the original article (in Dutch), please click here.

    Original article written by VRT NWS.

    (Image source: Pexels, cottonbro)

  • Transitioning from Online Dating to Offline Dating

    two hands reaching to each other to illustrate transitioning from online dating to offline dating

    Global Love Report – June 9, 2021
    Written by: Pamela Stephanie

    Online dating to offline dating: how can clients transition from one to the other? This is a valid concern, because this transition is causing some people to be wary.

    In fact, the transition from online to offline is not only causing wariness for people who are dating. Surveys have shown that people currently working remotely are having the same issue. The Wall Street Journal reported that reason people are willing to go back to the office is the fear for their job security—though they also stated that many people would prefer to keep working from home.

    Here are a couple of things to mention to clients who may have difficulty transitioning from online dating to offline dating:

    1. Transition from Online Dating to Offline Dating as soon as it’s Safe

    Relationship experts and psychologists have stated that it’s best to take the relationship offline as soon as possible. Remind clients that for a serious relationship to progress, they need to take that first step to meet each other offline.

    Psychologist Liesel Sharabi pointed out that building up a relationship online for months—especially during quarantine—can build “unrealistic expectations”. And it would make the disappointment all the more difficult if the first date doesn’t reveal any chemistry.

    2. Temper Expectations: Prepare for Disappointment

    People have different ways to communicate and they also have their preferred medium when it comes to communication. Some people thrive in face-to-face conversations while others shine on Zoom, for example.

    With that being said, experts have warned not to build up your expectations too much. They emphasized the need to prepare for disappointment when it comes to the first offline date. It’s possible that no spark will appear on the first date.

    A study done before and after a first date by two psychologists found that most participants of their study thought that their first date was disappointing. A lack of chemistry or less attraction than anticipated being one of the main causes for their disappointment.

    So clients should approach the first date with a positive attitude but they shouldn’t expect to find “the right one” straight away.

    3. Short Outdoor Dates

    Some dating coaches recommend dating in the outdoors as a first date, especially as clients transition from online to offline dating.

    Walking dates, for example, help keep things simple and casual. It leaves plenty of room for people to talk and to get rid of any anxiety that clients may have from having an in-person date after so long.

    In fact, post-pandemic, this may be the safest means to have a date. Some people may still be uncomfortable to be in an indoor setting, for example.

    And advise clients to keep things short to leave room for more conversation on the second date.

    (Image Source: Pexels/fotografierende)

  • Proxy Matchmaking: Japanese Parents Matching Their Children

    a crowd of people at an event to illustrate proxy matchmaking event

    Global Love Report – June 9, 2021
    A review article by Pamela Stephanie

    Proxy matchmaking or omiai events held for parents with unmarried adult children has happened in Japan since 2005. These events are specifically geared for parents with unmarried children who wish to find a match for their child.

    The organizers of these proxy matchmaking events assign the parents a number when they register. And each parent holds a “roster” that lists each person’s number along with basic information about the person’s child. The information includes, age, height, hobbies, marital history, and details on their ideal partner.

    Parents speak to other parents to exchange information regarding their own child. After a conversation describing each child, the parents who feel their son and daughter would be a good match will exchange personal information called “personal statements”. These include the child’s name, photograph, as well as their contact information.

    One reason why some parents attend these proxy matchmaking events is because they believe that information exchanged on the internet may not be real. So, they believe that online matchmaking may not work out. In fact, one parent stated he felt safe at the event because he could hear from other parents.

    These events are held by the Association of Parents of Marriage Proposal Information. They have held over 500 of these events throughout Japan since 2005 with 40,000 participants. The organizers hold these events because they believe that while people know their own good qualities, they may be blind to their bad qualities. They believe parents are more objective and can speak honestly about their child’s bad qualities.

    Please read the full article to know more about these proxy matchmaking events. Click here to read more.

    Original article written by The Mainichi.

    (Image source: Unsplash, Brit Gaiser)

  • Global Love Spotlight: Susan Semeniw

    GLR Spotlight is an interview series featuring Matchmakers, Dating Coaches & Relationship Experts

    Global Love Report – June 9, 2021
    Interviewed by Adrina Ong

    GLR Spotlight was created to feature some of our industry peers as a way for our community to get to know one another – Learn from what has worked successfully, as well as gain different perspectives and insights into various business strategies. We hope to continuously grow as an industry together by sharing these best practices with everyone!

    About Susan Semeniw

    Susan Semeniw
    Susan Semeniw is the Founder, President and Lead Love Coach at Divine Intervention. Divine Intervention is a boutique matchmaking service that was started out of passion for helping others 15 years ago. They are headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and work in the province of Alberta, Ontario and other parts of Canada. They also take on clients in other markets who have some sort of a Canadian connection or preference.

    Over 70% of their clients end up in a relationship. They have been responsible for hundreds of long-term relationships and marriages. They also have many repeat customers who re-engage with them again after successful previous experiences with Divine.

    They recently introduced online group coaching sessions for women to complement their private custom coaching packages. They also provide some relationship-only counselling.

     

     

    GLR: Hello Susan! Congratulations on being re-certified and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! As our first question, could you tell us about your company’s niche market?
    Susan Semeniw (SS): Our primary niche is successful singles aged 30-70. We work with both men and women and offer packages that are customized based on client criteria. We recently started working with a few clients in the LGBTQ+ community. We look everywhere for our clients, and like many agencies, are not limited to matching within the paying only model.

    GLR: What led you to feel that you wanted to pursue a career helping singles?
    SS: I have always been curious about people and their unique stories. I initially wanted to be a psychiatrist before switching programs to pursue Commerce in University.

    After a corporate career in Sales & Marketing and being a mother, I was looking for a change. I asked some friends what I was good at. I had successfully found people a partner or a job, and have a natural and intuitive knack for seeing human potential. Dealing with people, networking and giving sound advice continuously came up.

    I started doing research in the areas of both recruiting and dating/matchmaking. It took my brain a while to transition and embrace this as a full-time legitimate career. I got a lot of “you’re doing what?” from traditional corporate people. As well as “that’s so cool.”

    GLR: What are some of the most memorable achievements you’ve had in your career as a Matchmaker?
    SS: What always stands out to me is when you intuitively know two people are going to hit it off and they do. We often have to push back when someone says “not my type”, “not feeling it” and convince them to meet. It’s great witnessing the magic happen after going out a few times. The reward of changing someone’s life for the better keeps me going.

    It was interesting and enlightening to shoot two TV pilots. For one, I was chosen to be the lead for a Matchmaking reality show after a national search. It takes a lot of work and effort to put together a TV show, so my congrats to those who do it!

    Serving on the Board of International Advisors for the Matchmaking Institute for a couple of years was also a definite highlight.

    I am proud that our company received the Consumer Choice Award for best Dating service in Vancouver.

    GLR: Those are some amazing achievements! And have you experienced a change in mindset or a change in habits since you first started?
    SS: It took a while to understand that there is only so much one can do and that you can’t control the outcome of everything. I have learned to let go when things don’t work out the way I want them to or if clients don’t listen to advice.

    GLR: Do you have any words of encouragement or reminders for existing Matchmakers/Dating Coaches & newcomers?
    SS: I think the best way to figure out this business is to just do it and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. After Matchmaking Institute training, everyone has the tools to move forward with their own unique voice and niche.

    In my experience, the majority of us who do this work have a genuine caring for people, desire to help, and a strong moral ethic. Go out and create your own story and educate your clients. It’s not just about money.

    However, when people push back on price or other issues remember this is a business so treat it as such.

    GLR: Would you be able to share with us some of your personal & work best practices?
    SS: I think it’s important to continuously read and keep up with trends in the offline and online industry, and also to take relevant courses as needed. In terms of best practices, you should be clear with customers that we are not in the invent a human business and finding the right partner can take time.

    Support your employees, as this can be a tough and demanding business.

    I can’t stress enough to only take on clients that you think you and your company can do a good job for, educate them and be direct.

    Be flexible as well in terms of agreement extensions if needed and try to continuously think of new product offerings and improvements. Don’t get stuck or too attached to doing things a certain way; this includes price points and packages. The pandemic has taught us that and it’s important to be able to adapt.

    Always ask for help when needed! It’s critical to establish boundaries with clients as people will take advantage if you let them. Make sure to take adequate personal down time for yourself to recharge and be there for your family and friends.

    GLR: How do you feel about collaborating with other matchmakers and dating coaches?
    SS: Whoever doesn’t collaborate with others is missing a business opportunity. There will be some matchmakers and coaches that you naturally align with better. Some may operate differently than others so make sure to be clear from the beginning what the ground rules are.

    For example, we manage our clients and the other company manages their clientele, some are okay to have direct access to the client. Be flexible within your degree of comfort.

    In order to compete more effectively, collaboration gives us access overall to more pre-qualified singles and this is needed to give our offline industry more critical mass.

    I am surprised when someone is not open to collaboration as this is a no brainer. As this job can be challenging, I don’t hesitate to reach out to my matchmaker friends for support, guidance and pep talks!

    My entire life has been built around a team approach mentality and being stronger with others around you. We have some very smart people in our industry.

    GLR: Do you collaborate to find and provide matches, refer clients and receiver referrals, etc.?
    SS: We do and are open to all of the above. I also think it’s great when something significant happens to someone in our industry as it casts a needed spotlight on what we do and helps elevate us all.

    GLR: If you feel comfortable sharing, what are the financial arrangements for your collaborations?
    SS: We work within industry standards: 20% referral fee for a client, database fee of $250+ depending on the client agreement, and sometimes the same for client-to-client match. Working with another matchmaker positions your client as a priority with them so whatever works best.

    GLR: Finally, are there any positive experiences you want to share with us?
    SS: We have had mostly positive experiences when dealing with other matchmakers. Our clients have been pleased with the caliber of who we introduced them to via another agency.

    We had a picky older male client who had never been married that was matched with an open-minded female client from another agency. They hit it off and got married soon thereafter.

    GLR: And that concludes our interview with Susan Semeniw of Divine Intervention Matchmaking. Thank you for your time, Susan!

    Wish to be Featured?
    Contact us: Media@GlobalLoveInstitute.com
    (Image source: Pexels)

  • Vows for Eternity: Matchmaking for Global Millennials

    couple holding hands at the beach to illustrate Vows for Eternity Matchmaking

    Global Love Report – June 9, 2021
    A review article by Pamela Stephanie

    Anuradha Gupta’s Vows for Eternity is a bespoke matchmaking agency that offers personalized service for “global millennials”. They have offices in Bombay, New Delhi, and London, with their headquarters in New York.

    According to Gupta, her clients have spent their time on their education, their careers, and have not had the time to find their match. But these clients have thought things through and deemed it the right time for them to find someone. And this is where Vows for Eternity can help them.

    As for the types of services they offer, they have different member tiers, with premium membership being designed for professionals who will be helped by the team at Vows for Eternity. However, it is Gupta herself who will do the search for those in their “Privilege Suite”, being there with the client through all the steps.

    For the full interview with Anuradha Gupta, please click here.

    Original article written by She The People.

    (Image source: Pexels, Asad)

  • Global Love Report Spotlight: Trenia J Norford

    GLR Spotlight is an interview series featuring Matchmakers, Dating Coaches & Relationship Experts

    Global Love Report – June 2, 2021
    Interviewed by Adrina Ong

    GLR Spotlight was created to feature some of our industry peers as a way for our community to get to know one another – Learn from what has worked successfully, as well as gain different perspectives and insights into various business strategies. We hope to continuously grow as an industry together by sharing these best practices with everyone!

    About Trenia J Norford

    Trenia Norford

     

    For as long as she can remember, Trenia Norford has been in love with love. Helping people find the own way to happiness has always been her passion. She is the owner of Connectricity, a highly professional and personalized boutique matchmaking firm. Since 2021, they have helped singles enjoy the dating process and get the results they desire in a short period of time. They cater to relationship-minded single professionals nationwide.

    “When I’m not matchmaking, I’m taming my 6 and 10 year old little monsters Pierce and Peyton with my Ride or Die, Brad of 11 years, while scratching my 13 year old golden doodle, Archie’s, belly.”

     

     

     

    GLR: Hi, Trenia! What is the name of your company?
    Trenia J Norford (TJN): Connectricity LLC

    GLR: Could you tell us more about your niche market?
    TJN: I help busy professional singles between the ages of 35-55 enjoy the dating process and get the results they desire in a short period of time.

    GLR: What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to as a certified Matchmaker?
    TJN: Over the years , I’ve made really nice friendships through various business collaborations. Which is one of my favorite parts of the profession.

    GLR: What was your career before becoming a matchmaker?
    TJN: I had a 20 year corporate career. Starting in the publishing industry(working for major fashion trade consumer publications – (W and Fortune Magazines) and later transitioned into finance, working as Senior Relationship Manager for Citigroup, JP Morgan and later HSBC.

    GLR: Finally, what was your favorite part of the online Matchmaker Certification course?
    TJN: I took this course 9 years ago – however I remember how much I loved meeting newly certified matchmakers and hearing their unique stories.

    GLR: Thank you, Trenia!

    Wish to be Featured?
    Contact us: Media@GlobalLoveInstitute.com
    (Image source: Pexels)

  • New Matchmaking Tactic: Drive Your Clients Around

    Woman driving car to illustrate new matchmaking tactic

    Global Love Report – June 2, 2021
    A translated article by Pamela Stephanie

    To find a date has been a lot more difficult now that we haven’t been able to go to the restaurant, the pub or the club for months. That’s what Ilse Jespers has noticed. That’s why the matchmaker from Breda came up with a new initiative: she drives singles around in a car on the street to look for “the one”.

    Next level flirting, that’s what Ilse is calling the concept. She drives around in a black car with red hearts, in search of singles on the streets. In the backseat is a single man or woman who wants to be matched.

    Driving around for an hour

    “Beforehand, I do an intake interview with each candidate to find out what he or she is looking for,” Ilse tells EditieNL. “Based on this, we draw up a profile. Then we plan a trip of one hour. We do this in the candidate’s hometown.”
    When the bachelor/bachelorette sees a potential date Ilse drives over there, opens the window and a sign appears with the question: are you single? If the answer is yes, then a second sign is taken out: am I your type?

    Fishing Rod

    If that question is answered positively, a long fishing rod appears where a business card of the dating agency is handed over. “The passerby can then look up the candidate’s profile on my website to see more information, and can report to me if they’re interested. Then I screen the messages to see if there are any matches.”

    Yesterday, the 36-year-old matchmaker had the first two rides: one with Stijn (27) and one with Kiki (30). “The people on the street responded very nicely. For the candidates it might be strange to talk to someone this way, but you get used to it quickly and because you are sitting in a car, it feels fairly anonymous.”

    Pleasant Ride

    People laughed a lot in the card, according to Ilse. “We kept shouting, ‘Hey, that’s another one, we have to go there!’ But sometimes that person turns out not be a match at all when they turned around,” she said. “It’s just funny.”
    The new concept is an accessible way to meet potential dates, according to Ilse. “I notice that young people find it very difficult during corona. All of the people that they see, they know: family, coworkers and maybe a neighbor. But where can you find a new partner?”

    Outside Brabant

    Although her company is called Matchmaker Brabant, people from other provinces can also register for a car ride. “I live in Breda but can easily go somewhere. Only Groningen and Friesland would be difficult, at best, If I receive several registrations there I can combine them.”

    To read the original article (in Dutch) on this new matchmaking tactic of driving clients around their hometown, please click here.

    Original article written by RTL Nieuws.

    (Image source: Pexels, Jan Baborak)