5 Online Dating Mistakes Guys Make

Have you noticed your dating game is a little off? Are you wondering why nobody's responding to your online dating profile, IMs or your emails? Relax, chances are it's not what you have to offer, but rather how you might come across online to a total stranger.

First, it's good to remember that people browsing through profiles have no idea who you are. They can only draw conclusions based on what they read in your profile or emails, or how you approach them, which means there's a lot of room for misunderstanding. That's why it's important to spend a little time creating a good profile (and recruit a friend to help).

If you're wondering what you can do to improve your online dating skills, let's start with five things that you should definitely avoid:

Poor photos. No more shirtless pictures guys, no matter how proud you are of your abs. Also, no shots with your phone or in front of the bathroom mirror. It's better to use a digital camera and have a friend take it for you. The better the quality, the more women will stop to look. And please only post photos that have been taken in the last six months. Anything older and you run the risk of her claiming you don't look like your photo.

Spell it out. There's nothing worse than reading a profile or getting an email with text speak (u, ur, cant, IDK). Take a little extra time to spell things out. Otherwise you look a little immature. OkCupid found that less than 10% of profiles and emails written in text speak get answered.

Negativity. Maybe your last girlfriend cheated on you, or maybe the last few dates have been horrible, but that's no reason to go negative on women you've never met - let alone potential dates! Curb your talk about "no drama queens" or giving a laundry list of what you won't tolerate. Instead, focus your profile description on what you do want.

Focus on the physical. Maybe you're reaching out to her because she's hot. Or maybe you only want beautiful, sexy women to respond to you so you clarify this in your profile. The problem? Women want you to get to know them, and they don't want to be talked to like they are nothing more than their physical appearance. Instead of reminding her about how sexy she is, read her profile and engage her in conversation about something that interests her. Keep it classy.

Waiting around. Online dating prospects move fast. It's really easy to meet people now, so if you wait too long you miss out on all kinds of opportunities. Instead of playing coy or waiting to respond so you don't look too eager, go for it! Also, don't keep trading emails for weeks. It's great if you connect online, but what if you don't click in person? If you're interested, ask her out - sooner rather than later.

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