Contributed by: kellyseal on Saturday, April 05 2014 @ 09:00 pm
Last modified on
Wondering why you’re not getting many responses to your carefully crafted online dating profile? The first thing to check – because this is the first thing other daters will notice – are your pictures.
As we all know, attraction starts with visual appeal. This doesn’t mean you have to be some kind of Greek god or supermodel to get a few dates, but it does mean that you have to put your best foot forward and show the people who you are. And according to OkCupid who has done a lot of research on this – your best selling point may be the physical feature you find most flawed.
People have different tastes, so embrace that.
Try picking out some new photos, or even better – get a friend to help you take some new ones. Here’s what to avoid:
Posting group photos. First of all, people will wonder – which one are you? Even if it seems obvious to you (because you can find yourself in each picture) – you might think it’s obvious to people who haven’t met you, but it isn’t. Second, what kind of impression do you want to give? If all of your pics are about you partying with friends, where does that leave a potential girlfriend or boyfriend? They may not want to be your party bud.
Over exposure. Guys, please keep your shirts on. While you might be proud of that six-pack a woman wants to find this out for herself – she doesn’t want you modeling to everyone else on the site who may come across your pic. And ladies, don’t go for those super low cut dresses to show off your cleavage – have a little more mystery in your profile. You can be sexy without letting it all hang out.
Don’t Photoshop. According to a Match.com survey, one of the biggest pet peeves for guys is when they see photos that have been purposefully altered. They wonder what about the photo is real, and don’t trust the women who post them. Instead of trying to “fix” what you don’t like in your photos, try to embrace who you are. It is a lot more effective in the online dating world.
Take off the sunglasses and hats. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out what someone looks like from her pictures. It should be really clear. Unfortunately, many people try to obscure themselves by posing in sunglasses or hats, maybe to hide something. Don’t let any matches second-guess your intentions (like if you have a girlfriend already). Please be clear and show yourself without your accessories.
Don’t crop your body out. Potential dates want to see what you look like – your body, not just your face. If you crop your body out of all the pictures you post, it looks like you’re hiding something. If you feel self-conscious, take a photo of you doing something you enjoy – like biking, playing guitar, or painting. It’s much more authentic and it also shows your dates what you like. It strikes up a conversation, which is the goal.