Finding That Special Someone

(CBS)  Looking for love in all the wrong places? Know someone who is?

Everyone seems to have that one friend or relative who just can't seem to find someone.

Dating takes a lot of work, and sometimes people need help.

All this week, The Early Show is taking a close look at "How To Date in 2008."

The special series, correspondent Susan Koeppen explained Monday, will give you a chance to see online dating like never before, including how a matchmaker works, what dating school is all about, what it means to hire a dating coach, and how to put your best look forward online.

There are more than a 100 million singles in the United States, double the number from 50 years ago, and all of them battling it out in the game called love.

Singles will spend more than $600 million dollars this year alone, trying to find love online. There are more than 1,000 professional matchmakers.

It's no longer just the bar scene, or getting hooked up through a friend: Love has, Koeppen observed, gone high-tech and high-maintenance.

"People don't really meet people in bars anymore," says professional matchmaker Samantha Daniels. "They find strategic alternative ways of meeting someone, because they're busy and they don't just want to leave it to chance."

What does it really take to find love in the 21st century?

To find out, The Early Show has found four singles who will take dating pointers from some experts:

Angela Knox, 34, a sales manager, never married. She says, "I have a mind of my own. I am extremely independent." We're sending her to dating school.

Dana Matthow, 52, theater producer, divorced, teenage daughter. He says, "I haven't found that one, that true meaningful relationship." He's going to a professional matchmaker.

Marybeth Rogers, 56, lawyer, divorced, no kids. Asked when the last time was she was on a date, Rogers replied with a laugh, "What year is this? No, I'm kidding. I'm really kidding!" She's getting an online dating makeover.

John Jacobs, 45, works in finance, divorced, no kids. He says, "The one thing I do know -- if I it at home watching TV, nothing's going to happen." He's getting game from a dating coach.

Tune in all this week to see how our singles do in their quests for love.

Tuesday, we'll focus on Marybeth as she gets her online dating makeover.

If you are or will be in the New York area this week, why not join us on our plaza? We'll be offering free online makeovers. We'll have photographers taking headshots for you to post online. Match.com is signing up singles for free. And we'll have an expert who'll help you with your profile.

[asspoleboy]

hhhnice

[stellinaluna]

Did anyone involved with this show happen to consider that many singles don''t need "fixing" -- that they are happy with their single status?? The opinion expressed above is one that is fading quickly as many singles find the benefits to taking charge of their own lives. Sure, they like the opposite ***. Sure, they like ***. But they no longer "need" someone to complete them. They are not "lost" souls. They are vibrant, active individuals. They have full, meaningful, satisfying, creative lives. They also are for the majority, professionals and represent a formidable demographic with plenty of disposable income to spend for leisure, education, entertainment and making themselves a comfortable lifestyle. Not everyone is desperate to hook up! It is great to be single and to have your own life in your hands.