By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)
With hundreds of online dating sites and thousands of singles surfing for dates, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. How can you find that special someone with so much competition out there? Spicing up your online profile is a great way to get noticed, land more dates, and hopefully find the right person for you.
Here are five easy steps you can take today to improve your online profile and start getting noticed online. Your inbox will be filling up in no time with dating prospects.
Step 1 – Write an attention grabbing profile headline
Online daters move quick. They may spend only a few seconds on each profile before deciding to read more or move on. That means you have a very limited chance to catch their attention.
Take the time to create a catchy headline that stands out and communicates your best qualities. For example, if you have a great sense of humor then go with something that gets a laugh. If you’re into fitness, let your headline convey your love for working out.
Step 2 – Upload multiple photos
If your online dating site allows multiple photos, take advantage of this feature. Usually only one photo appears on the front page of your profile, so choose the best one for this spot. However, you can also use the second and third photos to communicate more about your personality.
If you’re a great dancer and want to attract other dancing fans, there’s nothing wrong with a photo showing your fancy footwork. Or if you love hanging at the beach, upload a great photo of you relaxing by the waves.
Step 3 – Pay attention to what gets noticed by people who contact you
When you get emails from dating prospects are they constantly referring to the same things in your profile? Do they consistently refer to your desire to travel or favorite books? Whatever keeps coming up is clearly something that’s getting noticed in your profile.
Use this information to your advantage. Take the thing getting noticed and move it up in your profile. That way, more prospects read it sooner. Or better yet, incorporate what gets noticed into your profile headline. This way, you’re maximizing what already works for you.
Step 4 – Spell check your profile
You’d be amazed how many people cancel dating prospects right away if there are multiple spelling mistakes. It shows a sign of laziness or lack of commitment to the online dating process.
If your site has spell check, use it. If not, cut and paste the profile into Word and spell check it there. You’ll come across as professional and serious about your dating desires.
Step 5 – Commit to checking your online dating site frequently
People will often feel vulnerable when they reach out to you for a date. There’s that fear of rejection that’s always a possibility. So if someone has the courage to contact you, reward that behavior with a quick response. With your new and improved profile, you’ll be getting more responses, so be ready.
You’ll develop a good reputation on the dating site. Plus, you won’t miss out on a potential great prospect for being non-responsive.
There you have it, five steps you can take right now to improve your profile and dating success. So go out there, update your profile and watch the dating prospects roll in.
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.
