(July 2005)
Page
Introduction 1-3
* Report scope, sources used, nature of the matchmaking business.
How Consumers Can Protect Themselves and Find A
Reputable Dating Service 4-9
* How dating services operate: marketing/sales tactics
* Precautions consumers should take before signing up, Better Business
Bureau research, etc.
* Proposed industry code of ethics, past efforts to clean up the field
* Questions to ask when shopping for: an introduction service,
matchmakers, video dating services, computer dating services.
* Past industry troubles and resulting legal actions (Together Dating, Great
Expectations).
Your Odds of Success – Finding A Match 10
* Discussion of the key factors affecting the number of responses/matches
received by men vs. women.
Types of Dating Services 11-15
* Discussion of niche segments of the dating market (Jewish, Christian, gay,
seniors, college grads, etc.)
* Description of dating websites and their evolution.
* Discussion of print singles ads.
* Discussion of video dating services.
* Discussion of singles events.
* Discussion of telephone party lines.
* Discussion of matchmakers, how they operate.
Online Dating – Dating Websites 16-20
* Description of online dating in the U.S. and Europe, reasons for growing
popularity over the past several years.
* How dating websites operate: What you get for your money, 3 main types
of websites.
* List of the top 15 most visited dating websites.
* Advantages/disadvantages of online dating (lack of screening and
background checks, accuracy of profiles discussed).
* Profile enhancement services: Why they’re becoming more popular.
Profile Doctor (profile makeover/editing service)
Look Better Online (photo enhancement service)
Social Networking Services 21
* Discussion of why social networking services/websites are growing rapidly
(MySpace.com and Friendster).
Brick & Mortar Retail Chains 22-25
(Off-line Dating Services: Chains & Franchises With Physical Offices)
* Summary: number of outlets in the U.S. for the major chains.
* Great Expectations: Company description and fees.
* Together Dating Service/The Right One: company description and fees.
* Matchmakers International: Company description and fees.
* It’s Just Lunch: Company description and fees.
Speed Dating 26-28
* Discussion of how speed dating events work, fees
* PreDating (Cupid.com): Number of cities offering events, fees, how it
works
* HurryDate: Number of cities offering events, fees, how it works
* 8minuteDating: Number of cities offering events, fees, how it works
Independent Matchmakers 29-49
* How matchmakers operate: How they recruit clients, typical fees,
specializations, motives.
* Estimated number of matchmakers in the U.S., typical annual income.
* Problems with the profession.
* Current and past trade associations.
* Competition with dating websites and other dating services.
* The Matchmaking Institute: Description of this school providing training
and certification of new matchmakers.
Profiles of some top U.S. Matchmakers
(Description of their backgrounds, fees, operating procedures, specializations, address, phone or website.)
* Leora Hoffman Associates
* Kailen Rosenberg - Global Love Mergers
* Janis Spindel
* Zelda Fischer - Gentle People Ltd.
* Barbie Adler - Selective Search Inc.
* Irene Valenti - Valenti International
* Lisa Ronis
* Jill Kelleher - Kelleher & Associates
* Orly Hadeda - Orly the Matchmaker
Radio Station Datelines 50
* Description of how radio datelines operate, typical fees.
The Print Personal Ads Market 51-52
* Evolution of newspaper personal ads, voice personals.
* How print personals operate, typical fees.
Singles Publications & Singles Events 53-56
* Description of types of singles publications, reasons for decline in number
and shift to electronic versions.
* List of major remaining singles publications (print and electronic), those that
went out of business
Resource Directory 57
* List of trade groups, sources for industry news, other information sources.