How to Write an Online Dating Profile

Your online dating profile is your opportunity to make a positive first impression with prospective dates. If it’s well put together, you’re likely to get a lot of action! On the other hand, if it’s not well thought out, you could be passed over in favor of more appealing profiles.

Here’s a look at the best way to write your profile, plus a few pitfalls to avoid.

online dating profile

Basic Information

  • Your user name is important – Remember that most people will judge you based on the name you use on your profile. Avoid using anything that sounds childish, raunchy or otherwise objectionable, as it will imply that you are objectionable, too.
  • Choose an appropriate headline – Your dating profile headline is just as important as the headline on a newspaper article; it tells readers what to expect. Keep your headline short, to the point and informative. Consider writing your profile first, then adding a fun, inviting headline that sums you up.
  • Focus on the first lines – Fiction writers are often encouraged to include a “hook” in the first paragraph. That hook is a sentence or set of sentences that entices the reader and makes them want to know more. The same thing should happen with your profile. You’ll either keep a prospective date’s attention or lose it in the first few lines of your profile, so make sure your introduction to yourself is appealing.
  • Keep it simple – It can be tempting to ramble on in your profile, but this will bore or annoy many potential dates. Offer up about 250 words to describe yourself. You can talk about the rest on your first date.
  • Good grammar is vital – It might seem like spelling and grammar aren’t too important in a casual forum like a dating site. A badly-spelled or worded profile can turn a lot of people off, however. Check your grammar and spelling before you submit to make a better impression.
  • Don’t forget the conclusion – You might remember how important conclusions are for writing an essay. The same thing applies to your online profile. The last sentence should be one that will stick in a reader’s memory and encourage him or her to get in touch with you.

Presentation Tips

  • Appear fun and confident – These two personality features are among the biggest turn-ons for most people. Try for a light-hearted tone if you want to appeal to prospective mates.
  • Be realistic and willing to adapt – Make sure that your expectations for a date are reasonable. You aren’t entitled to get responses only from people under a certain weight or age, and insisting on a particular income threshold or body type can be offensive. It’s not unreasonable to say that you prefer to avoid smokers or would like to date people of the same religion, but you should avoid excluding people unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you do put limits on who can contact you, be polite about it.
  • Show your adventurous side – While it’s never a good idea to make things up, it’s wise to avoid looking dull. If you love to travel and have recently been on a fun trip, consider posting a few anonymous photos of your vacation or mentioning your most recent destinations.
  • Communicate your goals – Whether you’re looking for a long-term, committed relationship or just some short-term fun, make sure that these goals are clear. Nothing is more frustrating than meeting someone exciting, then discovering they don’t share your relationship preferences.
  • Talk about what’s important to you – Make sure your profile is personalized and helps you stand out from the crowd. Discuss what you feel is important, whether it’s your dedication to a political cause or your relationship with your family.

Approaches to Avoid

  • Negative and exclusionary language are off-putting – Even if there are certain people you don’t want to date, it’s a good idea to phrase it positively. Talk about your ideal person, using language like “athletic” or “active,” instead of saying “no fat girls.” Negative language makes you seem like a negative person.
  • Avoid bragging – You may be proud of your accomplishments, but focusing on them exclusively won’t impress potential dates. Humbleness is far more attractive.
  • Never make things up – Some people think it’s okay to lie if it attracts a potential date, but there’s a good chance your stories will be found out. Deceptive practices never make for good relationships.

Picking a Photo

  • Offer more than one picture – The purpose of photographs on a dating profile is to show potential dates what you look like on a daily basis. Using multiple photos, including at least one full-body image, is the best way to do this. That way, there will be no unpleasant surprises for anyone.
  • Choose recent images – A photo that’s several years old is a bad choice, even if it’s your most flattering one. Choose the most recent pictures you have available. If you do use an older picture, make sure you mention that fact in the caption.
  • Watch your expression – You’ll be a lot more appealing if you smile. Use positive images for your online dating profile. If you look like you’re enjoying yourself, potential dates will know that you’re fun to be around.

With these basic tips, you’ll be able to put together the ideal profile to attract new people. It doesn’t have to be a difficult or intimidating process. Simply taking the time to make sure your online dating profile is attractive and well-organized can help you stand out from the crowd.

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