Very special post coming your way tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some excellent tips that were submitted to me on what to avoid in your dating profile. Enjoy!
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Online dating is one of the most fun and exciting ways available to meet fun singles. By cutting through the small talk and helping you to connect with new people in your area, it’s also one of the easiest ways to mingle.
As online dating has increased in popularity, many websites have sprung up–and all of them are different. Before you even think about creating your profile, you should do a little research to make sure you’re using the right website. Looking for a relationship? Then eHarmony.com.au might be the site for you. Looking for a fellow vegan? There’s a site for that, too.
Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time for the profile. However, when it comes to setting up these pages, people tend to make some common mistakes time after time. So what are some things to avoid when creating your online dating page?
1. Be mindful of who you include in your profile picture
Your profile picture is probably the most important part of your personal page, so it pays to spend some time thinking about the one that best represents you.
If you would prefer to include other people in your picture, that’s no problem–but pay attention to what those other people say about you. If you’re a man and choose a photo that displays you surrounded by glamorous women, consider how inviting that will appear to the average girl.
Try to pick photos that are inviting and reflect upon you in a positive light.
2. Keep your profile picture current
Everyone has a photo from a few years ago that holds a special place in their heart. It might show you wearing a favorite pair of jeans, maybe an old hair cut you loved–it might even just represent a summer you really enjoyed.
Whatever your reason, using an old profile picture won’t do you any favors in the long run. At the end of the day, online dating is usually about finding a relationship in the real world. Be sure to use a photo that shows your best side and your most current side.
3. Keep the tone positive
We have all been burned in a relationship at some stage or another, and those lucky few who haven’t almost certainly know someone with relationship woes.
It’s easy to start to feel negative about the dating game, but don’t let that filter through on your online dating profile. Instead of including what you don’t want in a relationship, try to focus on what you DO want. By focusing on the positives, you’ll appear more ready for a new person in your life.
4. Use anecdotes instead of lists
When you read some people’s dating profiles, their descriptions can start to sound more like a checklist than a personal profile. If you consider yourself funny, charming and traditional, why not tell an anecdote that shows off these qualities?
Maybe describe your perfect first date, or better yet, your ultimate first date disaster story (to prove you really do have a sense of humor).
5. Avoid clichés
Nothing is worse than a page packed full of clichés. Not only do they sound cheesy, but they often don’t really tell people that much about you. (Have you ever met anyone who in fact hates long walks on the beach?) Try to think of creative and original ways to describe yourself and your interests to improve your chances of finding a compatible person to connect with even better.
Nice advice! I did the online dating thing and it was frustrating sometimes the way some people painted themselves. Almost like lying but not quite.
Do you recommend any good sites? My sister just dumped her last boyfriend and is turning bitter and jaded…