There used to be a time when, if the subject of hiring a professional matchmaker came up in conversation, people would shy away from even considering it as a dating option. The main two reasons were either folks thought that they couldn’t afford it or that it was a “desperate” last ditch effort to find love.
These days, people are becoming less gun-shy about entrusting Cupid’s arrow to these kinds of services. In fact, there are millions of individuals, worldwide, who have tried professional matching companies and had great results. Plus, thanks to businesses like Tawkify, you can be connected with quality individuals for a very reasonable matchmaking service fee.
So, just what are the benefits of using a professional matchmaker? There are actually several, but some of the top ones are 1) they’re able to introduce you to great people that you probably wouldn’t meet any other way; 2) they can save you the time of looking for prospective “candidates” on your own or through the sometimes hit-or-miss experiences of online dating sites and 3) they are dedicated to finding the kind of person you’re looking for.
That’s not to say that all matchmaking companies are the same. That’s why we recommend that before you officially pay for a service, you have an initial meeting in order to ask them the following six questions:
What got you into matchmaking in the first place? You can best believe that if you hire a matchmaker, they are going to have plenty of questions for you. Therefore, don’t feel shy about asking them what got them into the business in the first place. Listen for things like “I really enjoy matching people together” vs. “It’s a good way to make some extra money”. Both answers are fine, but if you hear the first one, that means they are more focused on love than opportunity. When that’s the case, it’s definitely going to work to your advantage.
Are you qualified? Although your mom and best friend probably think that they are excellent at matchmaking, what makes a professional matchmaker different is that they have reputable skills and qualifications to do their job. In fact, many of them are certified by the Matchmaking Institute. Because of this, it’s perfectly OK to ask a matchmaker what their qualifications are, how long they’ve been in business and any companies that they have worked for (if they’re currently on their own).
How successful are you/your business? One of the reasons why Tawkify comes highly recommended is because they have solid data to back up why they are one of the best in the business. Well over 80 percent of the couples that they connect going on second dates, that’s a sign that they have a great success rate. So, whether you decide to go with them or another company or person, they also should be able to provide you with some hard facts and stats about why they are worth your time and investment.
Is your database large? Really, what would be the point in signing up for a matchmaking service if they only have a handful of options for you to choose from? While it’s a bit unreasonable to expect companies to have thousands of people at your disposal, they should give you the impression that if the first, second or possibly even third person didn’t work out, there are still others available to consider.
How reachable are you? Entrusting a matchmaker to connect you with the person who could possibly be the one you share the rest of your life with is a very personal, intimate and vulnerable thing; a reputable matchmaker is aware of this very fact. So, first up: If the matchmaker is not offering to have their first meeting with you in person, they are someone that you don’t need to hire. At least an hour of face time is needed to get a feel for what you are looking for. Secondly, if after the meeting, the matchmaker is hard to reach by phone or email (within 24 hours or so of leaving a message), that’s another red flag. You shouldn’t have to chase them down in order for them to ease your mind or address your concerns. And finally, if you need to speak with them after a date and they are unavailable, this is another reason to consider ending your relationship with them. A professional matchmaker should make you feel like they are just as excited to find you “the one” as you are. And that they are someone you can reach out to all the while that process is taking place.
How does the matchmaking process go? You may have been shy about hiring a professional matchmaker simply because you don’t understand how it works. This is definitely something that a qualified matchmaker can explain to you from having an initial meeting to hear about your needs, to going through portfolios in their database to initially setting up the first date.
Yes, all of this probably sounds like you’re interviewing the prospective matchmaker before they interview you. Actually, you’d be exactly right! But what we guarantee is, by the end of the conversation, you’ll either be clear that this is the company (or person) to hire, or that you need to look elsewhere.
Either way, by asking these six questions, we hope that considering a professional matchmaker in the first place is something that you can feel good about. We do.