You have all those couples around you, and you're depressed because you haven’t found a honey of your own. Try these six simple tips to improve your chances of finding the beau or betty of your dreams:

1. Similar interests. Improve your chances of meeting a match by associating with people who share your interests. Enroll in a cooking class; go on a group hike or bike; join a book club. Then make it a point to talk to as many singles as possible!

2. A little help from your friends. Enlist some support to expand your dating pool. Tell your friends about your dream date and ask them if they know anyone. You can take it from there and make contact on your own, or maybe your friend will invite the two of you to coffee. If your friends see any hot profiles on Match.com, tell them to forward them to you so you can @Connect!

3. I dare you. Do you find yourself with steamy dreams about someone in your group of friends? If you’re feeling particularly daring, why not test the waters? After all, you already know you have fun together and have similar interests. If there’s a little sparky fuego happening, pursue it. Ask him or her out; make it date-like and see how it feels. If the vibe is good, explore further. If not, slide back into friendship mode.

4. Show your stuff. If you’re a creative person — singer, songwriter, poet or comedian — participate in an open mic night at a local coffeehouse or bar. You’ll meet other talented people — people who like other talented folk like you. And don’t worry about bombing; you’ll get points for giving it a shot and might even meet someone who’s interested in helping you soothe your wounds.

5. It pays to advertise. You can improve your chances of meeting a sweetie by posting a free profile on Match.com. But if you really want to strut your stuff, buy a local billboard ad. Key elements are a good headline, photo and contact information. It’s not cheap, but it’s a sure way to get the exposure you want.

6. Let’s get physical. If you feel sexy and sweet, you’re more likely to attract someone similar. Go to a spa and get a day’s worth of pampering or head to the gym and work with a trainer to improve your shape. You might even meet someone while you’re concentrating on your own well-being! Emotional health is just as important; if issues are preventing you from finding romance, consider seeing a therapist to get into good mental shape for a relationship.

If all else fails, try a quick search and locate other quality singles in your area!

Margot Carmichael Lester, Match.com