Talking online dating with celebrity matchmaker Carmelia Ray

Carmelia Ray has been playing cupid for 25 years.

Based in Toronto, she’s paired high-profile singles through collaborations with other matchmakers in Los Angeles, New York City and Vancouver.

Ray also stars in the reality dating show Mom vs Matchmaker, where she is pitted against the mothers of singles. Ray’s choices are used over half of the time.

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Ray joined Global’s Laura Casella and Kim Sullivan to discuss the online dating world.

In online dating, Ray says it all starts with a well-thought-out profile.

“A good online dating profile is thorough, it’s thought of, it’s creative, it’s witty — there are so many aspects to creating a great online profile,” said Ray.

“You have to write it with intention and making an effort.”

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Ray states that it’s important to communicate well with a match.

You have to ask the right questions while trying to find compatibility for a potential relationship. Weeding is a natural step of online dating, she says.

In the information age, it’s easy to get lost looking for another connection or something else.

“You’ve really got to stay focused and committed to the process and who you are looking for,” said Ray.

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“If you focus on the people who aren’t compatible with you, you’ll find yourself lost swiping or having conversations that aren’t meaningful.”

Once out on a date, leave the phone off and focus on the real-life connection going on at the present moment, she says.

Carmelia Ray’s dating tips

• Define yourself in a properly crafted profile.
• Stay focused on what you’re looking for.
• Get yourself out there, diversify and don’t limit yourself to one app or website.
• Communicate, ask about lifestyle, does attitude match yours, ask about relationship goals — weeding is a normal process of online dating.
• Be natural, don’t sell yourself as somebody else.
• Don’t be afraid of rejection — it helps build thick skin.
• Smiles and eye contact don’t hurt when out on dates.

Carmelia Ray’s dating no-nos

• (Men) No shirtless selfie when looking for a long-term relationship.
• Stay away from sexual lingo.
• Use proper grammar, avoid using slang.
• Put the phone away while on dates, stay connected to the other person.
• Stay away from superficial thoughts of relations, focus on true and real connections.