Marina Anderson of RAW On How To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love

Don’t try to be someone you’re not — people can usually see through that. Smile, make eye contact, ask questions, and really listen. Avoid cheesy pickup lines, talking only about yourself, or getting too drunk and sloppy. If you feel a spark or connection with someone, don’t be afraid to express interest, but always be mindful of their boundaries and their level of interest. Love at first sight can still happen, and I feel that many people want that old-school, face-to-face romance. So, if you feel a mutual vibe, explore it! But at the same time, remember that no one owes you their time, attention, or affection.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, finding and maintaining meaningful romantic relationships can be a daunting task. From navigating dating apps to managing expectations in a digital age, there are numerous challenges individuals face in their quest for love. Through this series, we would like to explore the complexities of modern dating and relationships, offering insights, advice, and strategies for navigating the often confusing landscape of love in the 21st century. In this series, we are talking to experts in psychology, relationship coaching, sociology, matchmaking, and individuals with personal experiences navigating the modern dating scene, to share their knowledge, perspectives, and stories. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Marina Anderson.

Marina Anderson is co-founder of dating app RAW. RAW solves common online-dating problems and brings back that simple feeling of a high school crush. No polished profiles — only raw, authentic real-life moments. The main goal of RAW is to let you show your true self through daily unfiltered photo updates on the app’s dual camera feature.

Marina has been working on a product side with dating apps. She is a brand marketing leader with over 10 years of diverse experience in brand development, marketing strategy, PR, media, content, and influencer marketing. Marina has a proven track record of crafting powerful brand stories, driving user engagement, and scaling businesses across the tech and dating industries.

She is a contributor at Forbes and Entrepreneur, and many other media outlets. Marina is Tech Round’s Top 30 women in Tech.

Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?

I actually have a bachelor’s degree in architecture, but life had a different path for me. Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve been in the field of brand marketing, working with some incredible companies in the tech and dating industries, from Badoo to Bumble. It’s been a wild ride, and I’ve done so many things along the way — brand strategist, PR, influencer marketing — but it all really comes down to connecting with people and building communities around shared experiences. It’s challenging work, but there’s nothing like the thrill of watching a brand take off and make a real impact in people’s lives. And sure, there’s almost no time to relax, but at least it’s never ever boring.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

Right now, I’m working on RAW, our dating app. Our whole mission is to bring back the magic and excitement of first love — you know, like those early days of meeting someone you like for the first time, butterflies, hands shaking, and all that comes with it. We’re trying to strip away all the filters, games, and fakeness that bog down modern dating, so no one gets lost in the woods of over-polished dating profiles ever again. And we’ve got some really cool updates in the works that we think will help people cut through the noise and find these real connections, like they were before everyone got so cynical about love and everything.

For the benefit of our readers, can you briefly tell our readers why you are an authority on the topic of dating and finding love?

I guess it’s simple — I’m a co-founder of the dating app RAW and have been working in the online dating industry for over a decade. But more than that, the search for love and connection has always fascinated me on some fundamental level. After all, what could really be more important than this to our lives?

Ok. Thank you for that. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about ‘How To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love’. Based on your experience, what is a common root cause of the “inability to find love”?

If we’re talking about online dating, in my experience, the ‘inability to find love’ comes from the modern ‘culture’ around it. Most popular dating apps and sites are pushing their users to present their most polished, perfected versions of themselves, with over-edited photos and over-written profiles. But this glossy front too often hides people’s true selves and prepares them for disappointment down the line.

When you meet in person, this disconnect between the online persona and the real human being can be so jarring. And because there’s nothing real and personal to it, it’s a breeding ground for bad behavior, like ghosting, breadcrumbing, scamming. I think that’s why so many people are frustrated — like they’re pouring time, energy, and money into a rigged game.

What are some common misconceptions or myths about finding love in the modern world, and how can they be debunked?

Dating apps are only good for casual hookups and one-night stands — that’s the biggest myth. People often think that everyone on these apps is just looking for a quick fling, or that they’re all catfish and scammers. And yeah, if you’re swiping on certain mainstream apps that shall not be named, you might see your fair share of players and unserious folks. But there are many people on dating apps who are also looking for something meaningful and real. They’re putting themselves out there, being vulnerable, and searching for that special someone, just like everybody else. It’s all about choosing the right app and being intentional about what you’re looking for.

What advice do you have for individuals who feel overwhelmed or disillusioned by the challenges of modern dating, and how can they maintain hope and optimism in their search for love?

Focus on falling in love with yourself! Work on your passions, your friendships, and build a life that excites you. When you’re living your best life, you radiate a kind of magnetic energy that attracts just the right people. Also, think about dating like it’s an adventure. Don’t put too much pressure on every interaction to be “the one” — think of it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun.

And always, always remember that your worth is not connected to your relationship status at all. You are a complete, lovable, kickass human being, with or without a partner. Keep putting yourself out there, keep believing in love. Your person is out there too, and when the time is right, they’ll find their way to you.

Let’s explore how the rise of social media and dating apps has impacted the way individuals approach and experience dating and relationships. Can you share a few dos and don’ts about how to use social media to find love?

Well, social media isn’t exactly the place to find love. That’s what dating apps are for!

But seriously, do use social media to show your authentic self, interests, and passions. Share content that shows who you really are. Don’t just post thirst traps or misleading highlights. Slide into DMs respectfully if you feel a spark. But don’t be a creep, send nude pics, or push things if it’s not mutual. Maybe do some light research on your dates’ profiles to look for red flags or dealbreakers, but don’t ever, ever, ever hunt down every detail of their life.

Social media is best for building your brand and connecting with friends. For love, it’s better to stick to dating apps or just old-fashioned ways.

Can you share a few dos and don’ts about how to use dating apps to find love?

Alright, now we’re talking. Actually, what I just mentioned in the social media context also applies to dating apps, but I can go on!

First, do be unapologetically yourself. Take photos that really show who you are. Don’t fall into the trap of polishing everything, from profile pics to bio descriptions. That’s not going to give you anything; it’s just going to let you down in the long run.

Then, don’t get too caught up in endless messaging — yes, it’s great and all, but the real thing happens face-to-face, so aim to take things offline sooner rather than later. And do be open-minded and give people a chance, even if they don’t fit your usual “type.” Some of the best relationships can happen when you least expect them. But don’t ignore your core values — you’re looking for a partner who is on the same page with what really matters to you, or real love won’t happen.

Can you share a few dos and don’ts about looking for romance in real-life physical spaces like congregations, bars, markets, and conventions?

Don’t try to be someone you’re not — people can usually see through that. Smile, make eye contact, ask questions, and really listen. Avoid cheesy pickup lines, talking only about yourself, or getting too drunk and sloppy. If you feel a spark or connection with someone, don’t be afraid to express interest, but always be mindful of their boundaries and their level of interest. Love at first sight can still happen, and I feel that many people want that old-school, face-to-face romance. So, if you feel a mutual vibe, explore it! But at the same time, remember that no one owes you their time, attention, or affection.

What are your thoughts about the challenges and opportunities that come with workplace romances?

Forgive me, HR department, but I’m just going to say it — love is love, and you can’t really stop it from happening, even at work, can you?

The main challenge, I think, is to keep it respectful at all times and try not to disrupt the work of others. I’ve seen so many times in my previous work experiences where a new work romance blossoms and immediately has a very negative impact on the work environment. Drama, jealousy, all that tangle of feelings can poison the mood of the whole team very quickly, and the fine line between a “fling at work” and a “harassment lawsuit” can be very thin.

And the greatest opportunity in these romances, in my opinion, is very straightforward — when you work together, you really get to know each other. Their work ethic, how they handle themselves in a professional environment — these are the things that show what kind of person they are, really. But, once again, it always should be within respectful boundaries — consult your HR department before doing anything so they can talk you out of it! :)

Can you discuss the role of vulnerability and authenticity in forming meaningful connections and finding lasting love?

I think you can’t really “be” with someone if you’re not totally open with them. It’s never going to last — they will always feel that something isn’t right, even if they don’t understand what. You have to share everything with that person: the good and the bad, the parts you love and the parts you don’t, your messy morning looks and your post-work grumpiness. And with openness comes vulnerability, which can be hard, confusing, and unpredictable for some. But if you and your partner are both on the same page about it, it’s the easiest thing ever — the lasting love is the greatest support in this life you can have.

Based on your experience or research, what are the “Five Things You Need To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love”?

That’s not literally “things,” more like advice, but here we go:

1. Be 100% authentic. Stay true to yourself. You have so many unique qualities — just let them and your personality shine bright.
2. Stay open-minded. Keep an open mind and be ready to step outside your comfort zone. You never know who or what might surprise you.
3. Put yourself out there. Love will always find you, sure, but you have to be out there. Join a hobby group, start a conversation with that cute stranger. Initiative pays off.
4. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Open yourself up to emotional intimacy, even if it feels scary. One of our app’s success stories was about a couple who bonded over shared childhood challenges on their very first date (can you imagine!).
5. Use better dating apps. And you know the one I’m talking about.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I think with RAW I already started a movement — and it’s about radical authenticity. One of our slogans that we use is “Unfiltered. True. Raw.” and I think we’re all craving something like that. We all want to have the courage to show up as our true selves, without the masks and the pretense. To be vulnerable, to embrace imperfections, to connect on some deeper level.

That’s the kind of world I want to live in — one where we celebrate that beautiful mess of what it means to be human. Where we lift each other up, not tear each other down. Where there is so much empathy, compassion, and open hearts. I guess that’s the change that could transform everything.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

It’s simple, you could download RAW dating app here

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!