No interest in dating apps: This man put up a billboard advertisement

Many users are fed up with dating apps. And people are taking a break from swiping and finding other ways to meet their soulmates. While some of them are joining running clubs or doing speed dating, others are getting more creative and quirky.

For one Philadelphia man, that meant putting up a billboard overlooking a highway.

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David Cline initially only wanted the billboard as a fun stunt. But the 28-year-old decided to try it partly because of his frustration with dating apps to find a date. “I don’t think I’m more frustrated than anyone else,” Cline told Business Insider (BI). “The idea of ​​making it a Date Dave kind of thing was a very last-minute decision.”

The “short-term decision” has improved his dating prospects. He lets people get a glimpse into his dating journey on his Instagram profile, Date Dave Philly.

Putting up a billboard wasn’t too shocking to Cline’s friends and family, who are used to his quirky but less public methods. Cline said his friends even donated to the billboard and loved the idea.

His billboard made headlines

The HR data analyst didn’t expect what would happen when the billboard was unveiled in July. It was a simple but direct billboard that announced his single existence with his picture and quick facts. He might be a good cook, have normal hobbies and own a cat. The billboard also included a call to message him on Instagram.

It’s a unique dating ad that has gone viral around the world and attracted a range of Instagram followers, including those who are interested in dating him, those who are cheering him on, and those who don’t agree with the method.

He has received messages from interested suitors from all over the world, and while he says he is flattered by the international attention from countries like Brazil and the Philippines, he is looking for someone closer to home.

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In addition to living in or around Philadelphia, he is looking for someone who is at least 24 years old, has left-wing political views, is not “overly evil,” and accepts his Pokémon playing. The gamer also enjoys hiking, camping, concerts, and traveling.

The person Cline decides to spend more time with will have the opportunity to enjoy his pasta, grandma’s cakes with homemade dough, curries with homemade sauce and sandwiches. They will also be able to spend time with his cat Peach, whom he named after the street where he rescued her.

The installation of the billboard half his dating life

Cline considered the billboard a success. He had five dates and was already planting some second dates. He says the way to stand out from the barrage of messages is to pass the vibe check, be direct and ask for a date.

“It’s very refreshing,” he said. “I don’t have time to go back and forth and message someone in my Instagram DMs. I get a couple hundred a day.”

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Not all attention is positive

The attention has been overwhelming for Cline. He said news of his unconventional dating method “seems to hit a different part of the world every day.” Disconnecting from Instagram helps, though. “As soon as I put my phone down, I’m not viral,” he said. “I can choose not to interact and not be stressed about it, which is nice.”

That goes for the negative messages too. He’s received comments comparing his appearance to that of a serial killer and unsolicited advice about his appearance, including that he needs a haircut and new glasses. Some people have called him desperate, which he actually agrees with. “It’s fair to say there’s a certain desperation that comes with making a billboard for yourself,” he said. “But overall I’m just trying to have a good time and thankfully that’s worked out.”

It’s worked so well that others recommend setting up a billboard dating profile as long as they’re authentic and show their true self. He attributes his success to showing his real personality.

“It was definitely effective,” Cline said. “Much more effective than I ever realistically thought it would be, which is crazy. It’s just crazy.”

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