This is a general FAQ about Strange Angels. If you’re looking for more specific answers about how to use the dating site, check out our Help Page.
What is Strange Angels?
May anyone volunteer to be a matchmaker?
What role does the blog play?
If I sign up for the dating site, do I have to use a matchmaker?
What are the responsibilities of a matchmaker?
What are the benefits to being a matchmaker?
How do I find a matchmaker?
Once I partner with a matchmaker, am I stuck with that person?
Can I have more than one matchmaker?
Can I be both a member and a matchmaker?
May I charge people money for my matchmaking services?
How much does the site cost?
What is Strange Angels?
Strange Angels is an online dating site where people help each other as volunteer matchmakers.
May anyone volunteer to be a matchmaker?
Yes!
What role does the blog play?
We feel strongly that the search for a companion should involve a lot of reflection, thought, analysis, and examination. So we created this blog as a place to discuss ideas and generally maintain the philosophy of the site.
If I sign up for the dating site, do I have to use a matchmaker?
No. Whether or not you use a matchmaker is entirely up to you. We think there are a lot of great reasons to use one, but even if you choose to act alone, you may still find it beneficial that others on the site have elected to take advantage of this service.
What are the responsibilities of a matchmaker?
Matchmakers put out a good word for you, so you don’t have to worry as much about “selling yourself.” They recommend other people on the site to you, cutting down the amount of work it takes to sort through listings. They can help you build your profile. They can screen people contacting you, making sure only the people you really want to talk with get through. If you choose, they help keep your profile anonymous in case you don’t want your family or coworkers seeing your profile. They can also offer valuable feedback.
What are the benefits to being a matchmaker?
Often a matchmaker will be a friend you know in real life who wants to help you. Some of the people volunteering as matchmakers may be single people wishing to generate some good karma by helping others. Other matchmakers may already be in relationships, but want to engage in a social networking experience that makes a difference.
There are many reasons why someone would want to serve as a volunteer matchmaker — but we also have plans to enable people to reward their matchmakers, should they wish. Those plans are still in development, and will depend somewhat on how people use the site.
How do I find a matchmaker?
You may simply perform a search based on a number of criteria, such as common interest, location, age, etc… You may also visit the “matchmaker” section of the site, where we list selected matchmakers we feel are doing a good job. Every so often, we will also profile matchmakers in the blog.
Once I partner with a matchmaker, am I stuck with that person?
Not at all. Matchmaker partnerships are set to expire every two weeks. If you don’t feel your partnership is working, you may simply move on. You may also terminate the partnership at any time.
Can I have more than one matchmaker?
There’s a saying in football: “If you have four quarterbacks, you really have none.” We believe that allowing people to have multiple matchmakers will dilute the power of those matchmakers, so we only allow you to have one at a time. It’s better to have one person acting as your chief advocate.
Can I be both a member and a matchmaker?
Yes. This essentially requires you to sign up for two accounts and switch back and forth between them. This is because we would like you to keep these roles separate. If you’re logged in as a matchmaker, you should spend your time on the site helping others, not looking for your own companion. Once you have completed your session as a matchmaker, you may then switch to your member account and begin your work searching for your own companion. Also, we eventually plan to charge a small monthly fee for members, while keeping matchmaker accounts free.
May I charge people money for my matchmaking services?
We have plans to accommodate “professional” matchmakers in the future, and have a number of ideas on how to implement that functionality. For the time being, we will not stop you from making special arrangements with your clients, but we would advise caution in doing so, as there is no mechanism in place to facilitate this behavior, and we are unprepared (and unwilling) to resolve disputes. Essentially, should you choose to sell your matchmaking services to your client (or sell your toaster, knit a sweater, entertain a children’s birthday party, or any other kind of business transaction), you are totally and completely on your own.
But let us know how it goes.
How much does the site cost?
For the initial rollout of the site, StrangeAngels.com will be free to everyone. Once the initial rollout has completed, we plan to start charging a very low fee of $5/month for members. Some functionality of the site may remain free for members, and everyone will be notified of these changes well in advance. Matchmaker accounts will always be free. We have decided to go this route for two important reasons. 1) By charging a low fee, it ensures that members of the site are current. 2) The alternative to charging a membership fee is having an ad-based site, and we feel this would create an unwanted dynamic. We’re very serious about making Strange Angels a dating site that not only helps you find a companion, but also challenges your thinking. We feel the presence of advertisements on the site could conflict with our message. Someday it may be possible for us to manage advertisements in a way that is cohesive with the tone and style of the site — and we have talked about ways we can promote other businesses that share our philosophy. But generally speaking, on ad-based websites, the customer becomes the product. So we have decided the best experience for the community will be one in which you contribute directly to our success, without any third-party influence.
Do people actually “frequently ask” you these questions?
No. Not really. But every once in a while one or two will come up in conversation.