Online dating is becoming more and more popular, which means that you will have a lot of competition when you join an online dating service. Your online dating profile can make or break your chances of finding a compatible companion, so make sure your profile reflects your true character and your preferences for potential dates.
Be honest with yourself. This is the most important rule for creating an online profile. You can easily fool a stranger, but it’s difficult to fool yourself. Do you really like long walks on the beach or talking until dawn? If not, don’t try to pretend that you do. You will spend too much energy trying to make your date believe you are something that you’re not. Don’t compromise yourself by trying to be someone other than who you really are.
Stay away from clichés. Online daters that include expressions such as, “I’m the one your mother warned you about” in their profiles will be viewed as uninteresting by many of the other members. Creativity is the key in setting up a profile, and clichés do not fit the bill. Your online dating profile is your chance to snag the interest of potential dates and make a great first impression. Don’t lead others to think that you are not interested enough in dating to come up with your own descriptive phrases.
Be clear about what you’re looking for. There’s nothing wrong with dating a variety of people, but if there are certain qualities and characteristics that your date absolutely must possess, be sure to convey that in your profile. If you continue to attract dates that are just not compatible with you, consider revising your profile because your current profile is probably not specific enough. There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable date that you both know could have been avoided.
Use an interesting picture of yourself for your profile. You want to catch the attention of potential dates immediately, so make sure your profile photograph is intriguing and captures your personality. Your friends and family probably have some candid shots of you at your best, so ask around for some of these pictures. Don’t choose a picture that portrays you as overly zany or outrageous, unless that’s the way you truly are. That type of picture can be an instant turnoff for some people. Make your profile as accurate as possible. Your dates will appreciate your honesty.
Make sure your profile essay is interesting. With so many profiles to read, most online dating members will select potential dates by how unique their essays are. Choose several points about yourself that you want others to know, and present them in an interesting way. Steer clear of descriptions that sound “canned” or cliché’. Write your essay and then read it again a few days later to decide if it’s what you really want. Let a trusted friend read it and make suggesting. Time spent up front on your essay will pay off big after you post it on your profile.
Good stuff, Ed.
Nicely put pointers that will ensure a good online dating experience the majority of the time. I especially like your “Stay away from the cliches.” That is one of the biggest blunders people make.
Be real but be cautious once you connect with someone is my advice.
I am a retired Pastoral Counselor and I have a free ebook about online dating on my blog if any of your readers are interested. It goes into quite a bit of depth on this subject.
Jim
Ed, the real problem is that people see and hear other people describe themselves and these kind of descriptions sort of sink into their heads. So, when the opportunity present itself, they start off by using hackneyed phrases. Please, find below some of the sentences you can use instead of the sounding like a banal organ that has been played again and again.
For girls-
If you are a brunette you could say something like:
“My hair color would make a raven blush.”
If you have red hair, you could try something like:
“My hair is like the setting sun.”
For boys-
If you are a painter you would quite better off saying
“I am no Rembrandt, but I enjoy painting.”
Best of luck.
Thanks for your comment. Your service looks interesting. Can you give us an idea of the impact you have seen when you work with someone on their profile?