Speed Dating Follow up Tips

We talk a lot about how to prepare for speed dating and what happens during speed dating. But what about afterwards? Read on for speed dating follow up tips, including how and when to make contact with your matches.

What do you do after speed dating?

You’ve met everybody at the event and the final bell has rung. So what happens now?
Firstly - and most crucially - you must enter your ticks onto the system, ensuring you’re happy with the people you’ve pinned as potential matches.

If in doubt, tick

It’s far better to go on a second date and find the chemistry isn’t there after all than not, and miss out on someone super, who was simply a slow burn on the attraction front (which can often happen). So if you just can't decide, pop in a tick.

Make the most of the night

Your host will let you know when the night is over, but - provided the bar is still serving - you might want to hang around and chat with some of the attendees. The beauty of in-person speed dating is that it’s really fun and sociable as well as being a smart way to meet singles. And you might find you strike up a rapport with someone you hadn’t particularly noticed during your four-minute date slot. Or with somebody else in the bar.

Your speed dating scorecard

So you’ve submitted your ‘scores’ and now you’ll be eager to see who liked you back. Well, you won’t have to wait long. Within 24 hours you’ll be able to see how many people have entered their ticks on the portal — this will tell you how many have ticked you and who your matches are. But you don’t have to go in and check; you’ll receive an instant email and SMS text message as soon as you get a match.

Check your spam and junk folders

If the 24 hours is up, check your spam and junk folders, to double-check your match email hasn’t gone in there. You can also log into your account to get the latest details.

How long should you wait to contact someone after speed dating?

There used to be an unwritten rule that you’d wait for three days after a date, before making contact. This can definitely (and often should) be ignored nowadays, especially in the realm of speed dating.

Send a message when you match

The person or people you’ve matched with will likely have other matches getting in touch. So don’t sit on it and leave them wondering. Drop a simple message and get the ball rolling between the two of you.

What to text after speed dating

A common reason people procrastinate in making contact after speed dating is that they just don’t know what to say. The main thing is to say something or the moment will pass you by. First off, remind them who you are and that you’re glad to have matched.

Ask an open question

That is one that can't be answered with a yes or no response. This will stimulate the conversation and allow you to break the ice, before asking them on a second date. If you need some tips for great questions to ask, take a look at our article on the subject.

Invite them out

Try not to overthink this. You've both been to a speed dating night with the intention of finding a partner. This isn't the time to play it cool! Your cards are on the table already and the logical step is a second date. So don't be shy, ask.

How do you follow up on speed dating?

Be brave, be open, be vulnerable

Go on those second dates and be open to what life may have in store for you. We understand that it's tough putting yourself out there emotionally. There's always risk involved, but it’s only by taking chances that we can get where we really want to be. And with these three qualities, you'll be in the right place to find your perfect match.

Book again

Part of being brave is being willing to keep at it. Sometimes dating is a numbers game and it’s just a case of meeting enough people. So booking another event is a great way to follow up and it’s always easier to return once you know the drill.

We have lots more articles on how to get the most out of speed dating, as well as great date ideas to try with your matches. Do keep an eye on our blog and give us a shout if you have any questions about how Slow Dating works.

Related Questions

Do people go speed dating on their own?

Absolutely. In fact, most people do. The host is there to put you at ease, as we know how nervewracking it can be if you’ve never attended an event like this before. You can book to come with a friend, although you definitely don’t need a wing-man or wing-woman for Slow Dating.

What should you not do after a date?

When you’ve been out with someone one-on-one, you should always touch base afterwards. Ignoring someone - also known as ghosting - can be confusing and hurtful. If you’re into them, by all means, ask them out as soon as you wish, but don’t be aggressive or pushy in your approach. And if you are an overthinker, try not to analyse how the date went in infinite detail.

How do you know if the first date went well?

With speed dating this is very simple; if your meet went well, they’ll mark you down as a match. Outside of this environment, it gets trickier to tell. You may have had fun and got on, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they felt chemistry. So the best way to find out is to ask them out on a second date and see how they respond.