Your preferences and your budget will determine the matchmaker you choose. You may want to choose a matchmaker that focuses on a specific area, but you might also want one who works nationally or internationally. You may want to find a matchmaker who works with people of a certain religion or ethnicity. Are you willing to pay more for a matchmaker with greater experience and a better database of singles? This will vary from person to person. There are some basic rules of thumb that you should follow. These guidelines will help you to separate the novices from the professionals and invest your money and time wisely.
Who is matching you?
Many singles tell us about their experiences with other matchmaking services in Sydney. The singles tell us that they were interviewed (usually by a salesperson), only to be matched with an inexperienced ‘matchmaker’ who knew nothing about them. Founder of Your Perfect Partner. She says: ‘I can remember starting out in the matchmaking industry in the 1990s. I was given a pile of documents and told to “match.” This still happens far too often. Your Perfect Partner has developed a system that ensures our matchmaker is personally responsible for matching each client, no matter who conducts the interview. We schedule regular staff meetings for us to discuss clients, as we feel that working together is beneficial in all aspects. We have worked hard to refine what works best for clients.
Company Size
Choose a smaller or mid-sized agency over a franchise. When a matchmaking agency becomes a franchise or national chain, the focus is often more on sales quotas than finding a life partner. The larger companies have more employees and therefore your membership fee goes to their salaries, not marketing or resources. The smaller companies are more likely to stay true to their core values and understand their clients better. They also have matchmakers who have been with them since the beginning.
Years in Business
Verify that the matchmaker has been in operation for at least five to ten years. The matchmaking industry is booming, and many matchmakers are rushing to cash in on this hype. Companies that were in business before matchmaking was trendy can demonstrate credibility, success over the long term, and quality clients. Matchmakers who started in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s are still providing quality matchmaking today. The higher fees are due to their years of experience in developing a database of quality singles and perfecting their matchmaking abilities. It’s worth it, we say.
Reviews & Testimonials
It can be difficult to choose a matchmaker who has a good track record. Small business owners know that it only takes one angry client to ruin the reputation of their company. It’s especially common for matchmakers to receive a bad review when they refuse a potential client. Yelp can also hide positive reviews in a “grey area” and only show negative ones. Always click the “Read not Recommended Reviews” link to view all reviews.
A matchmaker may be working with high-profile clients who are discreet and prefer not to share their success on the internet. One bad apple leaves a 1-star review, but many happy clients remain silent. Any matchmaker who has years of experience will have some positive reviews on Yelp and Google. You can also check their website for testimonials.
Client Database Balanced
Select a matchmaker with a client base that is balanced between men and women. Ask the matchmaker about the gender ratio and the age ranges that make up the majority of their clientele. The ideal ratio of men to women should be close to 50/50, and the age group you prefer should make up at least 25%. One exception is that some matchmakers will only accept a few affluent males at a time, but an abundance of females (normally free of charge, with no guarantee of dates). This will result in a higher ratio of women to men.
Matchmaker Experience
Select a matchmaker who has extensive experience in the field. Choose experience and background over “training”. Matchmaking Institute and Matchmaking Academy are the only two recognized institutions for awarding matchmaking certificates. Many matchmakers don’t attend these courses, as they have been in the business for a long time.
On-Hold Feature
Choose a matchmaker who allows its members to “put their membership on hold.” When you meet someone who you would like to date exclusively you can freeze your membership and explore a relationship. Your Perfect Partner, for example, allows members to freeze their account as many times they want during their membership period without losing any time or matches.
Prices & Policies Upfront
In your interview, the matchmaker you choose should be transparent about pricing and company policies. Your Perfect Partner is very transparent. We will talk about our policies and prices at any time during your interview. We don’t force people to sign a contract on the spot until we are sure they want to invest in this important part of their life. This commitment is mutually respectful, and we believe that both parties should be involved.
Awards & Press
Press releases or awards (often sponsored by matchmakers) do not guarantee a better matchmaking service. You may be tempted to believe that media appearances, certificates and awards are proof of success. However, you should ask how they were obtained. Inc. 5000 is an award given to companies that have experienced rapid growth. However, a sudden surge in growth is not always a good thing. Slow and steady growth is usually a sign of a more reliable matchmaking company. They have also developed their values and skills through the years. Do you want to work with a matchmaking company that is chasing media exposure, or one that invests time in your search? Focus on finding a life partner and not on getting into magazine, TV, or radio publications.
Duration of Agreement
You can save money by signing a short-term contract (i.e. 6 months). We always recommend investing for a membership of 12-18 months. Matchmaking is an ongoing process. Your matchmaker will take time to get to understand you. It’s a great opportunity to grow as you discover what you are looking for in a partner. Your Perfect Partner has helped many people meet ‘the one” within a few introductions, and they consider it money well spent. Many people renew their contracts after meeting like-minded, wonderful individuals for a year, only to find the love of their life within a few matches. All of our clients who have renewed their agreements are married! Everybody is on a journey of discovery, and finding “the one” won’t happen overnight.
Matchmaker Familiarity with Your City
Your matchmaking agency must be familiar with the city you live in. Matchmakers often claim to have offices in cities across the country, but they’ve never been there. Your Perfect Partner founders have lived in each matchmaking location for a minimum of 1 to 3 years. Matchmakers need to be familiar with the dating culture of your city and its geography in order to arrange dates. This is crucial.
Personality & Ethos of Matchmakers
You need to ensure that you enjoy working with your matchmaker. You will be working with the matchmaker or his right-hand person for a year. Select a matchmaker that is able to listen, and who has a passion for this important part of your life.
Match Sourcing
You should know from where your matchmaker sources your matches. This depends on the matchmaker that you select. Companies that aren’t in business very long (less then 5-10 years) rely more on their social media platforms or networks. Your Perfect Partner, for example, uses a variety of sources including its own Singles Database, which was built over 20 years, the Private Matchmakers Network, a network of 140 of the world’s best matchmakers, recruiters and the Ambiance Digital Recruitment ™ program.
Matchmaking Process
Matchmakers with experience will be able describe their process in detail. It is important to know what matchmakers look for and what makes a successful match. Leslie Wardman of Your Perfect Partner, the Founder and Matchmaker, says: “There are many very important matchmaking qualities that determine whether or not an match will be successful.” The first thing to consider is their upbringing. Second, the timing (where they are in their lives). Third, energy. (That feeling you get in their presence). Appearance, and how two people appear together, also plays a part (attractiveness. health, diet, lifestyle). “There’s more to it than that, but they are the most important.”
Types of Members
A matchmaking agency is likely to attract a specific type of person. Some matchmaking services cater to certain cultures, ethnicities and religions. Matchmaking agencies that are high-end or low-end will attract certain types of people. A matchmaking agency’s personality and values will also attract certain types of people. Your Perfect Partner, for example, is a matchmaking agency of high quality that values diversity in terms of ethnicity, culture, and religion. We are more concerned that each member is prepared to commit to a relationship. It means that they are “in a good place” and are committed to their own growth. Our clients are prepared to commit and be conscious in a relationship or marriage.
