Are you scared of meeting your online date for the first time? Here are some tips to help you feel relaxed and ready.

Online dating at any age is a tough prospect. When you’re a senior, chances are you’ve come out of a long-term relationship and just aren’t used to meeting people to date. Maybe you had a tough divorce or your spouse passed away. You didn’t have to think about a new romantic partner in your life, but now you are considering the idea. You’re in good company. Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the online dating population.

But maybe that statistic makes you squirm. Maybe you’re thinking, “what if my date doesn’t like me?” or, “what are we going to talk about sitting at dinner together for two hours?”

If you think all those other single seniors know what they’re doing but you don’t, think again. Everyone is figuring it out as they go along. The trick is finding what works for you.

If you’re feeling anxious and need a little perspective, following are some tips to help ease that anxiety:

Pick an activity as a first date. Instead of feeling anxious about sitting across the table from each other and making conversation, sometimes it helps to break the ice to have a more active date. Try taking your dogs for a walk in the dog park, and then stop somewhere for lunch or coffee. Since it’s summer, you might try something relaxing like kayaking, or a wine tasting. There are no wrong answers here. Do what makes you feel comfortable, and something that gives you pleasure, so you’re not so worried about the date itself.

Dress comfortably and confidently. You might feel pressured to put on your three inch heels and squeeze into your spanx, but don’t do this for your date’s sake. It’s important to feel comfortable on a date, and that includes your clothing. If heels aren’t your thing, wear some sparkly flats. If your favorite purple wrap brings out your eyes, then by all means put it on! If you feel good about how you look it will come across as confidence to your date. We could all use that!

Enlist a friend’s support. Sometimes it helps to have your friend come over before the date to help you get ready. Even a phone call can help ease your nerves. Invite your friends to support you in your dating adventures. Also, it’s a good idea to let them know where you’re going and who you’re with so they can keep an eye (or ear) out for you.

Practice makes perfect. Maybe on your first date you’re all thumbs, or maybe you talk a little too much and regret oversharing later. Don’t worry. Not every date is going to be fabulous, and you won’t always be perfect. The point is, you’re out there making the effort. You’re putting one foot in front of the other. So take it easy on yourself.

Happy dating!

Follow Martha Stewart’s lead and join an online dating site. It’s okay to define your own terms, too.

Everyone’s doing it. Everyone who’s single, that is. Even Martha Stewart has now joined millions of other singles and subscribed to an online dating site. So what have you got to lose?

The American entrepreneur and homemaker icon who has built an empire on cooking and decorating tips is 71 and single, and has decided that she’s not waiting around any longer for men to approach her. She’s taking things into her own hands, as she usually does with her business endeavors. Only this time, it’s her personal life she’s talking about.

Ms. Stewart’s profile is now active on Match.com, and she isn’t hiding it. So what exactly is she looking for? According to her profile, it’s this:

“Someone who’s intelligent, established, and curious; and who relishes adventure and new experiences as much as I do. Someone who can teach me new things. A lover of animals, grandchildren, and the outdoors. Young at heart.”

I applaud her decision and think that it’s inspiring for anyone who is considering trying online dating. Her move is especially empowering for seniors, who might think that at 71 finding love or companionship isn’t really possible.

Dating isn’t just for the young. In fact, the fastest-growing segment of online dating members are seniors. Many of them are divorced with grown children, and looking to move on to the next phase of their lives.

There are no set formulas to what senior daters are seeking, either. Many of them have had experiences with long-term relationships and have learned what they do and don’t want. They also know themselves better, and can be more relaxed about dating and the progress of a relationship. They may not be looking to get married or live with another person.

Joining an online dating site doesn’t necessarily mean you’re looking for a serious relationship. You could seek companionship or just casual dating as Martha is seeking. Just make sure you state what you want in your profile, so your date knows what to expect and there aren’t any misunderstandings.

And as for your age preferences? There are no rules. Martha has stated she’s looking for younger men aged 55-70, because she feels that older men wouldn’t be able to keep up with her. Age is relative, so I say it’s okay to date younger, especially if you’re looking for adventure and you have a lot of energy. But my advice: cast a wider net, and date people your age and a little older, too. You never know what age the right person for you will be.

I also advise that you take precautions with online dating, because there are some people out there who lie and take advantage. Martha Stewart is a public figure and has a team of lawyers on call, so likely she’s not going to be taken advantage of. But the rest of us aren’t so lucky.

It’s important to keep personal information such as your full name, address and home phone number to yourself until you’ve dated for a while and feel comfortable sharing that information with each other. Also, don’t share any financial information with your dates. If they ask, then politely move on to the next man or woman. Nobody needs to know your finances in order to date you.

Most importantly, pay attention to your gut. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, then question him. It’s okay to call a date off if something doesn’t seem right.

If you take care of yourself and approach online dating with a positive attitude, you will have a great time. Happy dating!

Creating an enticing profile is easier than you think.

You’ve joined a new online dating site, but you’re wondering exactly what to say in your profile. You want to come across as attractive, fun, and a great date, but the blank page has got you stumped. What do you say about yourself? Do you talk about your kids? Should you use that picture from your trip to Hawaii last year? Or should you photo-shop an old photo you took when you were out with your ex wife a few years before?

While it seems like online dating is a scary thing to take on, it’s actually a lot more fun and laid-back than it looks. The trick with a profile is to capture someone’s attention, not to describe yourself in as much detail as possible. So put a little of your personality into it, and leave a little mystery for when you meet your matches in person.

Following are some tips to creating a great dating profile:

Be honest. Are you over 50 but trying to date 20-somethings? Online daters won’t be impressed if you lie in your profile and state your age as 35. Some online daters fudge a little bit with their basic stats (height, income, age, weight), and when they meet their matches in person, it doesn’t go well. Who likes being deceived? That will start you off on the wrong foot, and it will be hard to get over. Date the people who want to meet the real you.

Use a current photo. As tempting as it might be to post that old photo from when you were married, tan, and thirty pounds lighter, don’t do it. Again, it’s about being honest. If you don’t have any current pictures you like, have a friend take some new ones. Be sure to use good lighting – taking a picture outside in natural light is the most flattering. Include a profile picture and an “active” photo – you doing something you love, like sailing or biking. This sparks conversation.

Use your humor. Do you like to laugh? Instead of just saying so, tell a joke or recall a story that you find funny. This way, you are revealing to potential matches a little of your personality. It sets you apart from those who just write: “I have a good sense of humor” or “I don’t take myself seriously.” Don’t we all agree on these basic facts?

Keep it brief. There’s no need to list all of your accomplishments, your relationship history, your career trajectory, or anything else you feel you need to either confess or boast about. Your profile is like a greeting, a first move. It should attract but not overwhelm your matches. It should spark a conversation. So keep your descriptions brief, and save more for when you meet in person.

Don’t talk about your kids. You should declare that you have children in your dating profile, but you shouldn’t make them a topic of conversation. Your dating profile is about YOU, not your kids. When someone gets to know you, then you can tell her about what your children are up to and how much they mean to you. Until then, your matches are looking to see if they want to be in a relationship with you. Not your kids. Leave them out of your profile.

Be yourself and have fun! Don’t get too caught up in what you should or shouldn’t do or how you’re coming across. Online dating is a process, and it’s about getting to meet new people. Whether you’re getting your feet wet again or pursuing a relationship, online dating is a great way to begin.