Flirting is associated with a variety of actions - a cute wink, a coy smile, a seductive whisper. All of these can easily be done in a bar, at a club, and any "in person" location where you're face-to-face with someone else. How, then, do you flirt online? How can you come across as sweet, sexy, or just plain interested when all you have to work with is a computer screen? It may be a bit more challenging, but have no fear - the following online dating flirting tips will have you working the online dating scene and getting dates before you know it!

1. Don't try too hard: A cheesy pick-up line is just as bad in writing as is it spoken. Begin with a simple "hello, how are you?" and allow the conversation to unfold from there. If there is a connection, you won't need more than 3 or 4 sentences to figure it out.
2. Use humor - wisely: Remember, you can't express tone or inflection across instant messages or emails. Moreover, sense of humor can be very individualized - what one person thinks is funny may disgust another. A comment you intended as funny or sarcastic can be interpreted as cruel by accident. Unless you can be sure your message will be understood correctly, wait until a face-to-face meeting to use it.
3. Ask questions: Questions are the best way to keep a conversation going. Keep them simple and allow them to build off each other to develop into a meaningful conversation. Where's the last place you went on vacation? Where would you visit, if you could go anywhere in the world? Would you rather live in the snow or on the sand? What three things would you need if you got stuck on a deserted island?
4. Comment on something you read in the person's profile: People put information in their profile that they want you to know. Asking them questions about this information shows you're interested and can initiate a great conversation.
5. Compliment, compliment, compliment: Everyone loves receiving compliments and online compliments are just as valued. You can compliment someone on their appearance (if you've seen pictures of them), but compliments for their interesting hobbies, sense of humor, or great career can be just as appreciated, if not more.
6. Punctuate: Punctuation can be very expressive in online conversations. Take a look at these three sentences - same words, varying punctuation - and very different meanings:
   • IT WILL BE FUN!
   • It will be...fun?
   • It will be fun.
7. Use punctuation to your advantage!
8. Be yourself: Let your true nature shine through. If you're a straightforward person, don't try to be overly flowery in your conversation. If you're not into online abbreviations (LOL - laugh out loud, BRB = be right back), don't use them. Keeping true to your personality can prevent any disappointment if the conversation progresses to an in-person date.