The Cyber Cyrano

[Raistlin]

The world of internet dating can be fraught. But, for a fee, a ghost writer will rewrite your online profile with the promise of making you more attractive to others. How does it work?

These modern-day cupids are popping up across the internet. They specialise in ghost writing witty, charming, flirtatious messages on behalf of single men and women unwilling, unable or too busy to do it themselves.

"We've noticed a definite trend with more and more of these companies springing up- and there is a huge demand," says Mark Brooks, editor of Online Personals Watch, a site that tracks internet dating trends.

Clients usually come to these online-dating outsourcing companies because their own attempts to find love in cyberspace just aren't getting results.

Many want to avoid the rejection they feel when their lovingly-crafted messages go unanswered.

"Necessity is the mother of invention," says Evan Marc Katz, who has worked as a dating coach since 2003 and runs e-cyrano.com, one of the first of this new breed of companies.

"There are a surprising number of people out there who don't know how to market themselves in an original way."

He stresses that his clients are not losers, but are typically successful, professional and well-rounded people. So what qualifies someone to set themselves up as a dating expert?

"I did online dating myself for years with great success and I worked as a customer-care representative for an online dating company," says Mr Katz, who is now happily married.

Every date brings financial rewards for the ghost writers, who compare themselves to salesmen, telemarketers and, in some cases, poets. Some offer their services in a range of languages.

Working for a set fee, the companies interview their clients at length over the phone. Using this information, they then write the initial "sell", the blurb which online daters use to advertise themselves. Many also provide tips and advice on how to optimise your appeal to fellow daters.

TargetLove offers everything, from basic profile writing for £150 to dating coaches who, for around £90 an hour, will talk the unlucky and inept through every step of the dating game.

Some companies will go so far as posing as their client on dating sites and writing messages to potential partners to arrange first dates.

These tactics have provoked controversy. Critics claim it is a dishonest way to try to find true love.

[Bizarra]

You should try them. What have you got to lose?

They might even succeed in selling you........ if the price is low enough

[Raistlin]

If I went on there would be a bidding war

[Bizarra]

Yeah! ... A Dutch Auction

[Raistlin]

Yeah! ... A Dutch Auction

My word, that's it let all the venom out, I'm sure you'll feel better once you reduce you sarcasm levels...

[Bizarra]

Yeah! ... A Dutch Auction

My word, that's it let all the venom out, I'm sure you'll feel better once you reduce you sarcasm levels...

I really hope that you realise that I don't mean to be sarcastic for real :( I don't ever want to hurt anyone's feelings , coz words can hurt more than violence. If I think of an apt reply, out it comes & no malice intended :D

[Raistlin]

Gotcha