It was a lucky day on Friday the 13th for start-up online dating site Hitch.me. The site, which launched on January 13, 2012, received a welcome with a nice write-up in Mashable. Hitch.me was created with the hope of adding authenticity to online dating profiles by focusing on business information on LinkedIn.
I spoke with Hitch.me founder Navid Nadir, who has a degree in computer engineering from Queens University in Kingston, Canada. Navid is happily married with two children. Both he and his wife were frustrated as they watched their single friends navigate online dating.
"People try to hide their identities on most of the online dating sites," said Nadir. He added, "If you want to date someone, why lie?"
Nadir pointed out that there's a sense of trust with LinkedIn profiles. If you're looking for a job, you typically have a resume on LinkedIn that's accurate, as you know a hiring manager will take the necessary steps to verify your job history.
The site is simple to use. You start by logging in using LinkedIn on their home page, fill out the profile, where you can describe yourself as social, confident, reserved, insecure, or adventurous. You can view your selected matches by their LinkedIn profiles or on their personal profiles created on the dating site.
Instead of paying monthly for their service, Hitch.me members purchase credits in a pay-as-you-go format. Their 3 levels are:
Beginner: $10 for 500 credits
So Much for So Less: $25 for 2000 credits
Guaranteed Satisfaction: $50 for 4000 credits
So how many potential dates can you actually meet on the credit system?
For 20 credits, you get just a "smile." It's their way of flirting. For 50 credits, you get a "pitch," the opportunity to send a 200-word email to the object-of-your-affection. For 100 credits, you'll get the "Private Presentation" complete with a YouTube video and up to 3 additional images.
For a limited time period, they are offering 200 free credits as they build their membership base.
Does the site mix business with pleasure? Only if you want it to. You can select from finding a casual date, soulmate, friend, or a business partner and they don't share any information back to your LinkedIn account.
If you truly believe that your car defines your personality, you can select the kind of car you want your date to drive, including anything from a Lamborghini to a Smart car. If there's truth-in-advertising, you just might find your match on this site.
Julie Spira is an online dating expert and author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and follow her on Twitter @JulieSpira and on Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert