Your online personal ad is what will lead many people to decide whether or not to contact you. Make it right and your online dating experience will most likely be one of the great and happy ones. Create it badly and it could be very frustrating. It is therefore very important to learn how to write a good profile for an online dating site.
Steps
Step 1. You know what you want
It might sound easy but if you ask a lot of people why they are on an online dating site, they will just say "to find a date". Being more specific will not only help you find the right dating site, it will also bring your profile on the site to life. Make a list of what you want in a relationship (short or long term, marriage), age, sex, sexual orientation. Also include things like if you want to have children (or already have).
Step 2. Create a list of must-haves, good things to have or absolutely not to have
Must-haves are things you can't do without. These could be hobbies and passions, as well as other interests. Do you remember the movie “Partnerperfetto.com”? The title is about a must-have that was posted on a popular dating site. The good things to have are just that: things that you would like your potential partner to have, but you can also do without. The things that you absolutely must not have are those things that you cannot stand and that you will not tolerate. You might consider including specific interests and hobbies you would like to share with someone special, goals and dreams you hope to have in common with your potential partner, and so on.
Step 3. Make a list of the things that make you… well, you
What makes you unique? Don't be afraid to mention an interest that may, on the surface, seem insignificant, unpopular, or even boring. The fact that you may be an avid fan of black and white classics may not please everyone, but it could just be that interest that grabs someone's attention. This will help create more "substance" in your profile.
Step 4. Think of a couple of names for your user ID name
Your user ID, also known as a nickname, should be short and easy to remember. Don't be just another “workingstud35” or “sexygirl26”. Make it meaningful and say something unique about you. Try to include things you enjoy doing, what you are looking for, or some activities you participate in.
Step 5. Post a nice photograph
The first thing people see on your profile is your photo. Profiles with photos get more answers than those who don't. The photo should show your best, without being pretentious. It should also show how you are today. But above all, smile.
Step 6. Start with a good title that draws attention
Most dating sites offer a box in which to write a 100-character title (usually). This is perhaps, after your photo, the second most important thing in your profile. This is what motivates potential interested parties to read your profile or not. Treat this sentence as your username. It should have meaning and provide a clue as to who you are and what you want (of course, without revealing too much information about yourself). You could study titles that catch your attention on the site or sites you have chosen and imitate them without copying them.
Step 7. Be positive
The saying "common sickness, half joy" does not work here. Be positive about yourself and others. Avoid saying things like "No losers, thank you".
Step 8. Be honest
If you lie, sooner or later you will be found out. You want someone to accept you for who you are, not who you want to be.
Step 9. Start writing your profile based on your notes
Many people make the mistake of writing their profile directly on the site. Do not do it. Make a bad copy on another sheet of paper or on the word processor of your choice (such as, for example, Word, Word Perfect, Word Pad, etc.). Write as fast as you can without rushing. The goal now is to throw something down. Don't pay attention to spelling and grammar at this point. And write as if you were talking. Imagine your ideal "date" sitting there in front of you and tell him / her what you want and why you are the best choice for him / her.
Step 10. System
Save your profile for at least one day and then come back to make changes. Correct any grammatical and spelling mistakes. You can add anything you think will improve your profile or delete anything that seems useless.
Step 11. Post it
All you have to do now is post your profile. You may have to modify it later to fit a particular site but the bulk is done.
Advice
- Be sure of yourself! Nothing is more attractive than self-confidence. Whether you have been a member of the site for five minutes or five months, make sure that your profile shows that you are sure to find your soul mate and that you are happy to meet new people.
- To make your profile truly come to life, you should not only strive to make your specific profile appear, but you should make your specific characteristics even more specific. For example, saying you love James Bond movies might be specific, but adding which Bond movie is your favorite and why it will be even more specific. This also gives you something to say when you answer.
- While you need to make a list of the things you want in a partner, avoid making a grocery list. And remember that no one will fully meet your requirements. Be flexible.
- Have fun.
- Avoid commonplaces: Using clichés isn't always a bad thing, but avoid those that are overused.
- Even the best profile won't do much if posted on the wrong site. Here's why you should know the kind of relationship you want. Basically, there are three types of dating sites: general dating sites, people-matching sites, and well-defined dating sites (such as Christian-only dating, pet lovers dating, affluent senior dating, dating between Star Trek fans and so on).
- Rarely use capital letters and exclamation marks.
- Although your personal ad (another name for your profile) is meant to "sell you" and throw the best light on you, you should avoid appearing as bragging. If you think you're really good at something and think it helps your ad, try to present it in a neutral way. If you are good at playing the piano, you can say something like “my friends say I can play the piano very well and they love to listen to me”.
Warnings
- You may be tempted to use a free dating site. Free sites are in short supply in terms of supervision, have fewer features, and are favored by shady individuals. Unless your budget really does not allow it, choose to pay for a reputable site especially if you are serious about finding a soul mate. Nothing proves your seriousness better than spending a few euros to find your partner.
- Don't give out personal information like your name, address, workplace, and even the places you love to go unless you're really ready to reveal more to the right person.
- Don't use your usual email for dating sites. Most sites provide emails about it. You can also create a new address for this purpose via one of the free email providers. Be careful if the dating service forwards your emails to your personal email address as replying may disclose your personal email address.
