If single, chances are you’ve tried online dating or at least seriously thought about it. And if you are reading this blog, hiring a matchmaker may just be on your radar, too.  And because it’s not as mainstream, a question that I often get asked is how does matchmaking work and how is it different than online or mobile app dating?

Matchmaking is more personal

A reputable matchmker will meet you in person and will spend the time to get to know you and who you’re looking for in a partner. They will then conduct a customized and private search on your behalf. Unlike online dating, your picture and profile will not be posted on any public websites.

At Mutual Match, we maintain a database of screened singles by conducting private searches through social networking and online sites, personalized recruitment in Toronto and GTA communities, and through our affiliation with other reputable matchmakers. All matches are screened by a matchmaker before they are introduced to a client. And if you are interested in widening your search and are open to meeting someone outside of Toronto, we can do that too through our affiliation with other matchmakers in Canada, the U.S. and beyond.

It’s more private

As mentioned, your picture and profile will not be posted on public sites. Some people choose to go the private matchmaking route just for that reason. If you have a high profile job and the thought of bumping into colleagues, clients and direct reports on an online dating site makes you cringe, then Matchmaking may be a great alternative.

It’s less time consuming

There is no doubt that using online dating sites and mobile apps is a great way to meet new people, and people that you wouldn’t normally meet in your day-to-day life. But online dating will only get you results if you put in the effort. And effort means a whole lot of time. There’s just no way around it. And if time is not something you have a lot of, then hiring a Matchmaker may make more sense for you. Matchmakers will take over the search and screen potential matches for you. They will introduce you to people who share similar lifestyles and interests and who are also looking for a longterm relationship. Unlike online dating sites, the emphasis will be on quality over quantity.

And speaking of quantity, there may seem like almost endless possibilites to find your person online, at least at first glance. But if you have spent anytime digital dating, you will know that’s not the case. Many are on there for entertainment purposes only or are not at all looking for a long-term, meaningful relationship. According to a recent statistic, 37% of men and 41% of women are there “to have something fun/interesting to do.” And then there are the singles just looking for a hookup or something casual – 33% of men and 11% of women.

It’s more expensive

So how much is outsourcing the to search to a Matchmaker going to cost? It varies from company to company but because of the personalized nature of the service it will be more expensive than joining an online dating site. The matchmaking and recruitment process can be pretty labour intensive. We will only introduce a client to a potential match if they have been screened by us or another reputable matchmaker. We also provide personalized one-on-one coaching and support as part of our packages for each of our clients. Matchmaking is a an investment in you. Choosing a life partner is one of the most important decisions anyone can make. It will have one of the greatest impacts on the quality of your life and your levels of happiness.

And to that end, matchmaking is an investment that many super busy professionals and executives are increasingly making. They are also used to out-sourcing or hiring assistants and see the value in being just as proactive with their love lives. Also the old-school concept of face-to-face contact and the personal touch of a matchmaking agency is just more appealing than the online alternative for many.