So you've decided to give online dating a whirl. Maybe your friends keep bugging you about it, or maybe you're just sick of coming up empty at the bar on Friday nights. Whatever your reason for creating an online dating profile, the task is no simple one. But there are ways to make this seemingly daunting process easier. Below you will find the ultimate guide on how to create an online dating profile that will help you meet your soulmate.
Photos
First, let's talk about photos. The photo section of your profile is arguably the most important part - after all, it's the only way for someone to decide if they are interested in getting to know you more. So what kind of photos should you include?
Well, different online dating sites use different algorithms to match people (If you aren't familiar with the term, it's basically a fancy way of saying "mathematical formula"), and some prioritize looks while others place more emphasis on your particular interests. According to statistics, the best way to ensure that you get a high number of views is to have at least one main picture which consists of just you, no other people in the photo. Self-shots are also useful because showing yourself fully clothed will make it seem like you have prospects for actual dates while bikini shots or photos of you surrounded by 20 naked women might suggest otherwise. Be sure to include some flattering pictures of yourself, maybe even wearing a nice dress shirt or tie.
If you are interested in adding more than one person to your shots, make sure that the other people in your photos are not your exes (or even worse, your current partner). Try instead to show off your personality by including friends or funny candid photos where you're goofing off with other people. Make sure you don't use any cheesy poses or unflattering angles (i.e., no duckface).
Interests & Passions
Next, let's talk about your interests and passions. According to statistics, including this section is said to give an indication of who matches with you on a deeper level rather than just looks - after all, if you like the same bands and enjoy similar activities, you're basically best friends already. And it's always better to meet new people who share some of your interests than to date someone with no common ground at all. Don't go overboard trying to find something in common - if you include too many interests, someone might think that you are trying too hard and, well, you know what they say about trying too hard: it can backfire.
GoTie
Here are the rules:
1. Get to the point and be specific about your intentions and what you're looking for - if someone is still reading after five lines of text, they will most likely find out everything they need to know about you.
2. Make your sentences short and snappy - you don't want to bore people by using too many words when you could say the same thing in fewer.
3. Display confidence in yourself - be sure to mention all the things you are proud of, no matter how small they may seem to others, this will make it seem like you're a lot more self-confident. If you can, include some sort of reference to you as a person - maybe mention some of your favorite quotes or hobbies that define who you are as a person and give people an idea of what they could expect if they got to know you better.
4. Don't talk about your personal life or any drama that you are experiencing - this is meant to be an introductory page, so keep it light-hearted.
5. Be unique - the best way to make your profile stand out from all the others is by writing in well-structured sentences and using good grammar; this will help people focus on what you're trying to say rather than how you're saying it.
6. Proofread - go back and read through your bio after you've written it, with no one else around to distract you, and make sure that everything is spelled correctly. It's easy to miss words when you're typing fast!
Bio
The final and most important part of your profile is the text - namely, your bio. Most online dating sites let you create a short description where you explain who you are and what exactly you're looking for in an online partner (if that's what you're going to choose to do). And the best way to properly write a bio is - you guessed it - by following our ultimate guide.
According to most dating statistics, most people actually read your profile text in full before deciding whether you are worth contacting or not. Usually, people who responded first will get more responses than those who wait, so it's definitely worth taking your time to write a good bio.
Messaging
First of all, let's assume that the person has already matched with you. They have given you a sign of interest by matching with you, so it's up to you not to blow your chances with them. The best way to do that is just to be normal! Don't message them talking about how much of a geek/nerd/gamer they must be for having matched with you. Or don't try and use cheesy pick-up lines that you've probably seen passed around on Tumblr or Reddit. Of course, I'm not saying to be a jerk and pretend you're someone else, but just keep it simple and don't try too hard! If you have common interests, then point those out in your opening message. Really though, it's not rocket science! Just answer their question(s) and then follow it up with something about yourself. And if you're actually interested in pursuing a relationship (or at least having someone to send pictures of your dogs to) then say that!
So, what have we learned? First and foremost, your pictures are extremely important. Make sure they are high quality, recent, and representative of you. Your bio should be fun and interesting to read- give potential dates a snapshot of who you are. And finally, don’t be afraid to send the first message! If you find someone that looks intriguing, go ahead and reach out. We hope these tips help you snag that special someone online. Good luck!
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