When interesting dating websites and ideas come across my e-mail, I usually pay attention. Cheek’d is one such website that’s more of an offline dating website. When CEO and founder, Lori Cheek, gave me a preview the website with me this week, one quote stood out from our conversation. “[Cheek'd] is like a childhood thing, for adults,” she said, in describing how the service works. The premise is, online dating still maintains a certain stigma that prevents certain people from fully engaging in online dating services. Lori described the process as “shopping for love,” after spending a full day working. When we’re not dating online (or working), we meet people in our every day lives, at cafe’s, bar’s, or events, but creating introductions are awkward.
Enter Cheek’d, and their business-like cards that allow you to leave an introduction, without having to embarrass yourself or fumble for a series of questions.
Cheek’d works offline, before online. Upon signing up to Cheek’d, you’re able to set up a profile, and buy a deck of cards with unique and funny messages on them. Each card has a unique number attached to your profile, all of which could be tracked through your Cheek’d account. There’s also the ability to create nicknames for each card, so that you can remember card 15 was the hot blonde at the party, opposed to the one you met at the coffee-house. Once you get your cards, all you have to do is distribute them to interested parties. They can either respond by following the link and sending you a message, or toss the card away. Essentially, instead of wading through a list of dating profiles, you wade thru people so they can go to your dating profile.
Privacy is a major issue with Cheek’d. Unlike most dating websites, Cheek’d profiles aren’t publicly searchable. Meaning, no one will know you have a Cheek’d account, unless you give them your card. To further maintain a sense of privacy, each Cheek’d card is completely black, preventing you or anyone else to write on it; essentially if you give the card out, it’s unable to be used another purpose (maybe a bookmark).
Cheek’d is an interesting idea, one that Lori thought of after seeing her friend pick up a woman by writing “want to out to dinner?” on the back of his business card. In many ways, it’s a tool that can combat approach anxiety, as everyone hands out a business card in many situations. The concept, and idea of Cheek’d is compelling, and I’ll be doing a full review and experience of the service soon. However, for those interesting in trying an alternative way to date, Cheek’d is worth reviewing.
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