INTERVIEW WITH SPEED DATER LIMITED
Until
recently 'speed dating' was a term unfamiliar with most Londoners.
Entrepreneurs Simon Prockter and Ben Tisdall are rapidly changing
this and turning 'speed dating' into the latest dating phenomenom.
What made you
start Speed Dater?
Simon: I was single myself and had tried Internet dating
for nearly six months. I read about speed dating and realised that
I could have turned that six months into one night.
How does speed dating work?
Ben: We arrange for a minimum of 15 single men and 15
single women to meet in a bar. We have a compere that explains the
rules and keeps the order of the evening as eveyone rotates around
having 3 minute dates.
3 minutes isn't very long is it?
Simon: The evening gives everyone a chance to find out
if they'd like to see that person again. Our research shows that most
people know they like someone within three minutes. It also adds a
buzz to the evening with lots of movement.
How do you know you'll get the right mix of people?
Ben: That's where Speed Dater is different from many
competitors, we really aim for a good cross section of people by directing
our marketing efforts in several directions and not just at the Internet.
This gives us a nice mix of young professional single people. We don't
aim for desperate people, but the everyday mainstream singleton.
Where do you hold the events?
Ben: We currently have venues all over London, the website
keeps the most uptodate calendar of events. We hold our events in
a dedicated area or room in modern, clean, upscale bars.
Do all your customers meet someone?
Simon: Of course not (laughs), But always more than
50% of customers get mathces and will then go on to date one or more
of them.
Do your customers enjoy themselves?
Ben: We get a lot of people saying to us that they had
tried other speed dating companies but ours seems to attract a much
better mix of people. We're currently putting together some success
stories but here's some of our testimonials:
"After the initial apprehension, it turned out to be an excellent
way of meeting people and great fun!"
"Just a note to say that I had a cracking night - throughly enjoyed
myself!"
"I found it to be a very amusing way of meeting new people who
all seemed to be entering into the spirit of the evening. I imagined
the dating scene to be terribly stiff and was surprised by what I
experienced. Full marks for the concept and the venue and I especially
like the fact that it can work if you go with a group of friends as
well"
To find out more about Speed Dater, visit their website at www.speeddater.co.uk
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