Are you tired of online dating? Everyone's doing it these days, but like any endeavor you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Here are 25 offline ideas you can try to find new friend, a date for Friday night, or maybe even the love of your life!

First let's review a few tips to make each of these ideas work.

Success Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Have a simple goal of making new friends. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Seek to find a great friend and see where things lead.
2. Commit to saying "Hi" first. Don't be shy. Perhaps set a goal of saying hi to 5 people a day. Start with one a day and then work your way up.
3. Smile and have fun. Everyone looks better with a smile.
4. Be open to meeting new people anywhere and everywhere.
5. Always be dressed and groomed to meet new people even if you're just running out to get milk. You just may meet that someone special in the dairy isle!
6. Conversation success tip: Be interested in others and ask lots of questions.
7. Don't be afraid of rejection. You've got nothing to lose!! What's the worst that could happen? Someone will laugh at you? That's hardly likely. And even if they do, who cares! Just say "Next!" and move on!
8. Go slow for safety and success. Never rush into anything. Go slow.
9. Check out these conversation starters from Searchwarp and Suite 101.

25 Ways to Find a Date Offline

1. Host a "White Elephant" party for singles. The idea is everyone who is invited must bring a single friend, preferably of the opposite sex. You can also have each invited person invite 5 other people to increase the numbers for your party.

2. Join a social/singles group in your area. Check the newspaper, yellow pages or online.

3. Start a social/singles group in your area. If you don't have one in your area or want something different, start your own. Start small and build. It can even become a business down the line if you have success and decide to charge dues. Ideas for events for your group: themed parties, sports events like ski trips or baseball games, or meet and greets with a speaker of interest.

4. Find singles magazines or newsletters in your area and join their mailing lists.

5. Check the "Local Happenings" section of your newspaper. Clip out the events that interest you and go. Bring a friend or go solo, but just remember to meet at least one new person when you go!

6. Take your dog or other pet to a dog/pet park. You can also search for pet meetups online according to dog breed or really any other interest you may have. Other places to use your pet as a lure: main street shopping areas, fairgrounds, and outdoor sporting events.

7. The 'Ole Meat Market. Yes, you can meet someone in a bar. People do it everyday. Is it the best place? Maybe not, but you shouldn't rule out any place where there is opportunity.

8. Join a club in an area that interests you such as astronomy, public speaking, gardening, books, or whatever. Check Google, local bulletin boards, or your local paper for ideas.

9. Take an adult education class in something that interests you.

10. Go shopping in the opposite sex's department. Ask a stranger for help in shopping for your relative.

11. Browse bookstores, libraries, and video stores in the sections that interest you. Ask someone their opinion and see what develops!

12. Attend trade shows, conventions, specialty sales, and auctions for things that interest you. It is the perfect place to talk to new people because that's what it's all about!

13. Your workplace. First know your employer's dating policies and always use discretion. Many people have met their mate this way. Maybe it will happen for you too. Attend an event of another department. Let select co-workers know that you are looking. Maybe they will know someone you'd like to meet.

14. After hours shopping. Grocery shopping, the hardware store, and the like can be great places to meet someone just like you. If you're shopping after 5pm or on a Saturday pay attention to check out more than just the produce and then take some action by saying hi and asking a question.

15. Attend a singles dating event such as "8 Minute Dating" functions. It can't hurt. Bring a friend if you need a little confidence boost.

16. Go to those weddings, reunions, and other such events that you've been invited to. Fight the urge to say "Ugh. Oh no." Go. Have fun. Talk to people and see what happens.

17. Volunteer for a group or an area of interest for which you have a passion. What better way to meet someone that may be compatible with you?

18. Attend art gallery and museum openings and functions. Culture, creativity, and dating potential, oh my!

19. Join a professional organization. And when you do, be sure to go to some events and maybe volunteer to help out with some events. Working on projects with others is a great way to get to know some new people.

20. Join a health club or a casual sports group such as softball leagues, golf, ski clubs, sailing, etc. And don't rule out groups just because you've never done it before. If you've always wanted to learn how to sail, then join a group and learn. There's always room for newbies.

21. Travel. Consider a singles vacation trip. There are many organization including Club Med that organize trips to any and all destinations you can imagine. Search the newspaper or online.

22. Spiritual groups. If you belong to a religious group, see if they have any groups that interest you. If they don't maybe you could start one and then advertise it in their weekly bulletin or newsletter.

23. Music and Theater. Go see a band, a play, the orchestra, or an opera. Expand your cultural horizons or simply go for some head banging. Just remember to meet some new people.

24. Attend a free seminar. Many businesses present free seminars to gain new clients such as brokerage firms, home improvement stores, and technology stores. Go get some learning and chat to some fellow attendees.

25. A little help from your friends and beyond. If you're really looking, put the word out to a lot of people that you are open to introductions or invitations to events to meet people. Hand out your card with your number and email. Tell people what you are looking for. Then let it sit. If you do this consistently, you're sure to end up with some dates.

What do you think is the best way to meet someone? What is your favorite conversation starter? What's the craziest story you know of a couple and how they met? Please share in the comments!

Written for Dumb Little Man by K. Stone, author of Life Learning Today, a blog about daily life improvements. Popular articles are How to Write a Book in 60 Days or Less and Should You Start Your Own Work at Home Business?