|
How to Write the Perfect Profile for an
Online Dating Site
by Marinthia
Nyc 1/25/12
Writing an online profile is nothing like getting ready for a first date, like most
people assume it is. Yes, you might want to put a 'wow' factor out there, but you
have about 4 seconds to present that factor. The problem is figuring out what facet
of you is going to be the wow factor for them. You're also not walking into a room
of people whose choices are limited to the people in that room. In just a few minutes,
online daters can access millions of other online daters via a wealth of different
dating sites, emails, texts and instant messages.
Embrace who you are. If you're wild and crazy, don't try to hide it. If you like to
sit home all day, then say so. Why end up with someone who hates your habits before
they ever meet you? If you don't want people to try and change you, then attract the
people who appreciate you. To do this, you have to be able to appreciate yourself
and show it.
Know how people use the Internet. You have about 4 seconds to grab an Internet reader's
attention. That means you need to fine tune the details of your profile in order to
be attractive to Internet readers. You need to grab their attention fast and keep
it. Break your profile up into brief paragraphs or lists. This keeps the reader interested
as you feed them nuggets of information rather than lengthy run-on sentences and paragraphs.
Enhance your profile with emoticons and fonts to draw attention to specific areas.
Use compatibility features from the site. Most online dating sites offer you the ability
to create a headline. Be creative with yours and remember you have about 4 seconds
to catch someone's attention. Fill out the tests so that other online daters who seem
compatible with you are directed your way. Don't volunteer any personal contact information
as a rule.
Present a fitting picture. If you don't have a digital camera, find someone with a
cell phone to take your picture and email it to you. The picture you put on your online
dating profile is one of the first things people see. This is in there with the four
second rule. It's been said that you should smile and present a happy face so you
present a happy person. However, you might also consider putting up a picture of you
that shows you as you normally are. You might even want the picture based on your
personality; like a humorous expression if humor is your best asset.
Keep your family out of the picture. Don't post pictures of yourself with your family.
When you do, you're thinking that it's a god picture of you or that it shows love
for your family. Online predators and unsavory people are seeing it as a prime opportunity
to browse. Children are the biggest victims, but in general you should never post
a picture online of anyone of any age without their consent.
Mention vital things. If you're serious about using a dating site, then you need to
represent yourself honestly. If you're an alcoholic and you're trying to find someone
to have a relationship with, don't check the "never drinks alcohol" box. If you're
someone who is just looking to browse and you never intend to meet anyone, or go any
further than talking on the site, then you need to let them know that and represent
yourself however you wish. At that point, you're each just getting to know an online
persona anyhow, with no interest in the actual person. Be sure to mention things like
children, age and other demographic information.
Write to your audience. Aside from basic grammar skills, being able to write to your
audience is the key to writing the perfect profile for an online dating site. In other
words, you decide what kind of people you want to attract. In fact, create the person
you're looking for in your mind and write your profile like you're writing to them.
If you want a man who enjoys eating Cheetos naked on a bean bag, then write your profile
to attract him. If you want a dangerous and sexy one night stand, write to her.
Use correct punctuation, capitalization and spelling. You don't have to type in the
style of proper English, but punctuation, capitalization, and spelling provide inflection
into your statements. It's the difference between helping your uncle jack off a horse
and helping your Uncle Jack off a horse. At the very least, use the spell check on
your browser to go over the profile.
Don't forget to add a call to action. The perfect online dating profile is the one
that sells the idea of a personality to another person. At the end of every sale ad
is a call to action and your profile is no different. In the last part of your profile,
encourage people to contact you if they're interested in learning more about you.
In short, provide an attractive, easy to read profile that expresses who you are and
what you're looking for. You want something that can immediately grab attention, and
then hold it long enough for someone to want to read the entire thing. Don't be afraid
to talk about your flaws. You're not there to judge or be judged. You're there because
you're interested in meeting people who have their own interests and share yours as
well.
Marinthia Nyc is a single mother of one who has experienced the free online dating
sites in a state of shock, awe and sometimes, amusement. She makes a living by offering
the humorous and sometimes enlightening details
of her life experiences.
Click to read Comments and
add your own Comment!
|