Wednesday 8 January 2014
Hello, my blog has moved
Photo credit: www.saturdaynightsalright.com London's only dedicated online dating photographer
My blog has moved to my brand, spanking new website so come on over and check it out at www.saturdaynightsalright.com/blog
Looking forward to hooking up with you over there.
Tuesday 27 August 2013
5 essential tips for writing that first killer email
photo credit: london's online dating photographer, saturday night's alright
Are you struggling to make a cool first approach?
Hopefully you know me well by now, but if not I'm here to make your dating life a little easier, a little more successful and a whole load more fun wherever possible. I thought it was about time we took a look at how you're making your first approach with someone who has caught your eye. Have you nailed that charming, witty, enticing first email? Or do you still need a bit of a hand?
Here are my 5 tried and tested tips for writing that first killer email. (yes, I know the photos are of people attempting snail mail and phone calls rather than email but they are way more eye-catching aren't they?)
1. Start with the subject line
This sounds obvious but it really isn't. Most people just put 'Hello' in their subject line or something equally interesting. Hmm. You're missing a trick. The subject line is like your window dressing. Start as you mean to go on by making an effort here. Be brief but aim to arouse their curiosity. Or just be funny. That doesn't mean wacky though. You don't want to scare them. If you are unsure of the difference between what's wacky and what's funny, message me, I can tell you.
2. Use their name (or username)
When you start the email, rather than just saying 'Hi', include their username too. They will instantly feel more of a bond and will therefore be more likely to respond positively to your message. Yay!
3. It's all about them
You know the emails I used to hate the most? The ones where someone had cut and paste a good chunk of their autobiography into your message. Way to make me feel special! The emails that I loved were the ones where they focused on me and mentioned things they liked about my profile or joked about the things they didn't like. Worked a treat. Remember, people love hearing about themselves so always focus on them rather than you in your first email. They will naturally be impressed if it's obvious you've read their profile.
4. Make it easy for them to reply
A good thing to bear in mind when you're composing your masterpiece is that you want them to find it very easy to respond to what you've written. If you ask a couple of questions, interesting ones mind you, you will then make it easy for them to respond without having to spend time thinking about what to write. Bam!
5. Keep it brief - leave them wanting more
No one wants to read an essay from someone they don't know. Be brief and leave them wanting to know more. Much like this post. Ha.
If you want me to look over your first killer email prototype, send it over. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Thursday 22 August 2013
the people i meet | deryl
photo credit: london's original online dating photographer, saturday night's alright
The people I meet
Hey guys, come and meet Deryl. This girl sizzles and smoulders on camera and is a lot of fun to do a shoot with. She was looking after a naughty dog called Bailey on the day of our shoot and let's just say I now totally understand why they say never work with animals or children.
P.s. I think it's safe to say Deryl's worst date has gone straight to number one in the worst date charts...
P.s. I think it's safe to say Deryl's worst date has gone straight to number one in the worst date charts...
Name | Deryl
Age | 39
What is inspiring you right now? | Yoga, exploring new beaches, camping, my laden apple tree, finding pubs with good pool tables, writing poetry, making up silly songs and cycling everywhere.
What is your ideal Saturday Night? | A few beers, a game of pool and seeing a new rock/indie band in a small London venue.
What is the worst date you've ever been on? | The worst would have to be vomiting whilst being given a massage (he'd cooked me chicken and rice on date number 3).
And the best? | The best would have to be the most recent with a new lovely man where we did all the things that make up my ideal Saturday night, as per above, and discovered we have the same taste in music (although he beat me at pool).
Where are you favourite places to go in London? | I like the Barbican, Sadlers Wells, Lloyd Park (Walthamstow), Epping Forest, the canal from Victoria Park to Islington, the Southbank, 12 Bar Club, Dublin Castle and Monarch pubs in Camden.
If you fancy some photos like Deryl's, then don't hesitate to drop me a line - I'm very sociable. You can find me here at Saturday Night Towers or email me on saskia@saturdaynightsalright.com.
Tuesday 20 August 2013
best of brixton splash
What's the best thing about London in the summer? For me, it's all the free festivals, summer fairs and carnivals. Brixton Splash is probably my favourite because it has none of the sanitisation that you have at Notting Hill Carnival now. It's just people, old, young, crazy and not-so-crazy dancing in the street and revelling in the sense of community and enjoying the reggae sound systems with their red stripe.
Friday 16 August 2013
the 30 day love detox - dating book of the decade
photo credit: london's original online dating photographer, saturday night's alright
The slow love movement
I got invited to a really cool launch party the other day by the guys who run Online Dating University and Singles Warehouse. They had invited Dr Wendy Walsh to speak, a dating guru (among other things), who is massive in the States. She's a regular on CNN, Fox News and all the other hard hitters. I was delighted to be invited and was looking forward to networking with all the movers and shakers in the UK dating world but I'll admit I didn't really have any expectations about Wendy.
Is there a doctor in the house?
But let me tell you, I was blown away by her. I think I'm a little bit in love with her. I'm certainly crushing on her like a teenager. As well as being a drop-dead stunner, she is so smart it hurts and she has invested a lot of time looking at the problems faced by women (in particular) in a time of, as she calls it, 'high supply sexual economy'. The Dr is talking sense and brings together anthropological (yes, that is what I said) truths, good-old scientific research and practical techniques in a new book called 'the 30-day love detox'. Yup, I'm aware it has a tacky title (it was her publisher's idea apparently) but I've now had a chance to read most of it, hence the delay in blogging it, and it is a must read. If you're broke, borrow my copy.
The key thing Wendy (having met her and photographed her I feel I can call her that, lol) is promoting in the book is a 'slow love movement'. In her own words, the slow love movement, similar to the slow food movement, is all about "eliminating 'junk food' sex and undefined relationships with blurry boundaries". If you're struggling to find meaningful relationships, then you've got to read it. Wendy is genius (and even more pretty in real life).
Connect with me here at saskia@saturdaynightsalright.com if you want to borrow my copy. (It may come at a price! Ahh, not really).
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