Contributed by: Jet on Friday, March 30 2012 @ 09:16 am
Last modified on
Here’s a common conundrum: you’re a funny person - really, a funny person, everyone says so - but that doesn’t mean you’re a comic writer. Humor can be next to impossible to get across on the Internet, and most online dating tips will tell you to leave it out of your profile. However, you think it’s one of your best assets and a major component of your personality. How do you show you’re a funny person in your profile without trying too hard?
First, we have to understand why humor is so much more difficult in the written word: it’s because humor is often visual. Think about comedians you’ve seen, whether it’s stand-up or on a sitcom. Are they just delivering funny lines, or are they making faces? Maybe it’s funny because their face is a serious one.
Now think about how they tell their jokes. There’s a reason why many famous comedians have a certain manner of speaking that’s easy to mimic - it’s because they’ve learned what works for them, and they stick to it. And make no mistake - even the most dry, sarcastic comedians are performing, even if they’re playing the “straight man” role.
So we have audio clues, and we have visual clues. How do we represent those in a profile? Well, in the written word, most of that will fall flat. However, you do have one avenue of possibility in the visual department: pictures. A picture doesn’t have to be literally “funny,” but it can get across your personality and your persona as a funny person. Maybe you have a picture where you’re laughing, having a good time, or where others are laughing at your jokes. Don’t forget, in some dating sites, you can write captions for photos - and now you have an interplay of words and images, a prime opportunity to demonstrate your sense of humor.
Another prime place to insert a little humor is the headline of your profile. Your readers will probably see this on their page of search results, along with your default picture, so the two combined make a first impression. Don’t go overboard, here - you want something simple and catchy. A quote from a funny movie is a good place to start. Some like to refer to obscure quotes to attract people with the same media tastes; just make sure the line is still funny, or at least not offensive, on its own. You don’t want to turn off someone who simply hasn’t seen a specific movie.
So it is possible to reflect your sense of humor in your online profile, if you don’t overdo it. And remember something else: if you make those around you laugh all the time, chances are your “voice” will come through without even cracking a joke. If you’re a funny person, it’ll be evident sooner or later - naturally, without performing on command.