By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)
In case you didn’t know, your online dating profile is the equivalent of a first impression in cyberspace. Take the time to write an interesting and engaging profile and you’ll be off and running in the world of online dating. But how do you stand out from the crowd? Here are six tips to make the most of your online profile.
1) Be honest about your age
It can be tempting to position yourself as older or younger than your real age, depending on your dating objectives. Lying about your age may even land you more first dates initially. But what happens when your date finds out the truth? Trust is broken and the relationship is likely doomed. So be honest from the start and you’ll attract the people most interested in getting to know you.
2) Choose a good photograph
Spend the time to pick a good photo, or consider splurging on new photos at a studio in your neighborhood. The idea here is not to choose a photo that misrepresents your looks, but gives you the best possible odds of getting noticed. Be sure to choose flattering photos that highlight your best features.
3) Describe yourself accurately
There’s no need to say you look like Tom Cruise if nothing could be further from the truth. Be honest about your best features and let the photo do some talking for you too. Building yourself up to be something you’re not will only lead to disappointment. If you don’t compare in any way to the photos you submitted or the profile you wrote, then the relationship is doomed from the get-go.
4) Be upbeat and optimistic
Maybe you’re just coming out of a bad relationship. Or perhaps you haven’t had a good date in five years. Your prospective dates on the Internet don’t want to hear your sob story. They want to know you’re ready to meet someone new. So make sure that comes across in your profile. We’re not talking about acting desperate and over eager, just showing some genuine interest in beginning a new relationship.
5) Be concise
We’re all bombarded with information these days. If your profile takes too long to get to the point, your prospects will move on before they get to know you. Cut to the chase and give your most interesting information up front. This way, your prospects will get to know your best sides as quickly as possible.
6) Spell check
A profile chockfull of spelling mistakes connotes laziness. Take the time to proofread your profile or use the spell check feature on the site. You can even cut and paste the write-up into Word for spell checking if the online dating site doesn’t offer this feature.
In the end, taking a little extra time up front to write an engaging, interesting profile will attract the right people. So slow down at the outset, get your profile right, and soon enough you’ll be off and running in the world of online dating.
Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit Online Dating eBook.
