The other day I posted a personal ad on Craig�s List to see what kind of response I�d get. Most people post ads that say things like �I want a kind man who works out and wants a long-term relationship.�

This is not how to post a personal ad.

What I�ve found as key is that you ask very specifically for what you want. If you want someone who likes to ride his bike along the lakefront path, you�re in luck! If you want someone who shares your love of garden gnomes, I bet he�s out there! If you want a millionaire sex freak with a boat, he�ll respond. If you want someone who works on the 37th floor of your work building, someone�s gonna notice the ad and pass it around the entire company and then invite you to happy hour.

In my case, I posted a very specific ad. I explained why I was looking for someone with those characteristics, and I explained why I�d be a good match for that person. All in all, it�s a solid ad, well on its way to a Best Of posting.

The response has thus far been really good. I�m getting a very specific subset of men who are absolutely eating it up that I�ve requested their attentions, no matter how nerdy they might be.

Then today I got an email from a female telling me that my ad was posted in an online forum.

I post in the CL personals section, and I get reposted where a bunch of guys who fit the main requirement I request are readily hanging out. Talk about target marketing!

If nothing else, this has been fun. Here�s to hoping I find the actuary of my dreams... �