If you’ve ever thought, “There’s nobody out there for me,” the U.S. Census reports that there are actually over 100 million singles! That's about 44 percent of American adults. Some other interesting stats include:

• In general, there are 86 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women, although out West the gender ratio favors women. Cities where gals got it good include Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Tempe, Sunnyvale and Santa Ana.
  
• The best places for single people to live are New York, where 50 percent of state residents are unmarried, and Washington, D.C., where a whopping 70 percent of the population is single. The worst states are Idaho, where 60 percent of people are married, and Utah, where it is 59 percent.
• Only 9 percent of women and 2 percent of men say they’ve found a relationship at a bar or club. So if you’re lonely and looking, you’re better off hitting on the hot barrista at Starbucks. Better yet, join an online dating site!
• Got someone  in your sights and want to reveal your interest? 23 percent utilize the schoolyard approach and send the word out through a friend.
• On a date, first impressions do count: Men take only 15 minutes to decide if a woman is worth a second date. Women will ponder for an hour or so.
• Being bashful will get you nowhere. Women and men who post their photos on online dating sites receive more than twice as many e-mails as those without photos.
  

Although doing just about anything online, from shopping to research, is the norm, not everyone sees online dating that way. Well meaning friends and family members ask why and don't understand. They think it's dangerous or weird. But looking for love isn't a tragedy or a defect. It's a situation. You want a new job, you post your resume with the objective of finding a good fit with an employer. Online dating is the same-- your goal is to find a good fit with other singles you have something in common with. Yes, you can meet new people in your neighborhood or at your office or gym. But if you want to expand that pool of potential dates, reach a little broader. Online dating can help you do that, while at the same time narrowing down the type of person you really want to meet. Only want to date people of your same religion? Great— there are plenty of online dating sites based on religious background. Really want to meet someone over age of 60? Easy enough with online dating sites catering to seniors. What if you're a lesbian? You can meet other single women online. If you haven't tried online dating yet, give it a try. You have nothing to lose but could gain a special someone!

Online daters sometimes complain that their profiles, personal ads and e-mails don't get responses, so here are a few tips to get yourself noticed:

• WRITE A CATCHY HEADLINE. There are many "DWM, 47, seeking love" out there. Be different. Even if you ARE a "DWM, 47, seeking love", check out the competition. What attracts your attention to their ads? You'll probably notice the ones that stand out are more original, personal, and direct. Try not to focus on physical qualities. Instead, mention your fabulous sense of humor or that you love animals (if it's true).

• BE HONEST. The fastest way to ruin "what might have been" is to hide the fact that you are a single parent of 2 young kids, and miss a chance to find the person who wants to love them and share your parental joys. If you're a fitness buff you would be sorely disappointed to think you've been writing to a trim aerobics instructor, only to find out she's a couch potato who never plans to set foot in a gym. Dishonesty will always be caught sooner or later, so always give an honest representation of yourself. Incredible happiness can occur by allowing others to love you as you are, for who you are, so as cliche as it sounds, honesty is always the best policy!

• BE POSITIVE. Even if you aren't working your dream job or had to downsize to a smaller apartment recently, no one wants to hear negativity all the time so don't go on and on about all the things that are wrong in your life. You might attract a psychiatrist who wants to fix your suicidal tendencies, but you probably won’t attract your soulmate. You don't have to be pollyanna all the time either, but you do need to focus on the positive and generally appreciate yourself and the good things in life (and there are ALWAYS good things!) in order to attract someone special.   Find more tips here.