Dating Advice for Guys From Guys

Men are more likely to take dating advice from other men--especially male dating coaches--than they are from female coaches or other women in their lives. And it's fascinating to read the tips that men offer men.

I did some research this week on dating success pointers for guys over 50 from male dating coaches and authors. These 8 tips stood out to me as especially good advice:

1) Let women initiate. This author writing for the AARP says the numbers are on men's side as they age, since single women outnumber men by quite a bit after age 50--and even moreso after age 65. He says that, since women have fewer unattached men to choose from, they know they need to be proactive if they meet a guy they like. So they're likely to initiate contact if they're interested in you. 
2) Check yourself on Google and Facebook. Usually, a woman who's interested in you will Google you to learn more about you and also check your Facebook page. So you need to make sure the latter presents you in a favorable light.
3) Use ONLY smiling photos in your online dating profile. One guy coach says this will increase the response rate you'll get from women by 40%. (I can vouch for this: most women I coach feel a smiling man is much more likely to be nice, friendly, sensitive, and sincere, so they'll feel more comfortable sending him the first email.)
4) Dress for success. This male author, who's dated a lot and had many long-term relationships, encourages guys to pay closer attention to their clothing so they look sharp, not rumpled. He even recommends getting a manicure. (Again, I can confirm the truth in this. Many of my women clients tell me that a man's dirty or unkempt nails and sloppy clothing were turn-offs for them on a first meeting or date.)
5) Stay in good shape. Say no more. Men aren't the only ones who are more attracted to members of the opposite sex who are fit and trim.
6) Be doggedly attentive and affectionate. Yes, there's nothing more appealing than a man who is attentive and affectionate. Women absolutely love those two qualities! 
7) Be upbeat, funny, and optimistic. What woman wouldn't want to spend more time with a guy like that?
8) LISTEN! This male coach recommends showing genuine interest in a woman's life journey, including her career, aspirations, hobbies, kids, successes, and disappointments by listening attentively while she talks. And he strongly urges men to listen carefully enough to express curiosity about her and then ask follow-up questions, which show her you really want to learn more.

Again, I know this is true. I've said this before in other blogs: the #1 complaint my female clients make about men in the dating world is that they don't ask enough questions about them.

I'd love to hear what my male readers think about this list of dating tips--no matter what age you are. Please drop me a line with your thoughts (gayle@datingsuccesscoaching.com). And if you're a woman reading this, please pass it onto any single, divorced, or widowed men you know to get their take on it. I'd love to hear their feedback. Thanks!