Five Surefire Ways to Boost Your Dating Profile

You’ve been single for awhile. Although you’re OK with that, you really would like to find someone special. You’ve tried having your friends fix you up on blind dates, but that didn’t turn out so well. And you really don’t want to date someone at work because of possible complications if things go wrong with the relationship. The logical alternative is online dating. If you’ve decided to take the plunge into the online dating world, following these five strategies will produce the best possible odds of finding someone compatible.

Smile for the Camera

Yes, you have to include a photo. Actually, you should include at least two photos – one of your face and a full body shot, both of which should be recent. Additional photos of you engaged in a favorite hobby are a nice bonus. If you’re worried that someone you know will see your photo on a dating site, don’t. After all, how would they know you’re online dating unless they’re doing the same thing? If you absolutely refuse to include a photo, be prepared to receive very few responses. It’s not fair, but looks matter.

Choose the Right Username

Online dating is not like posting a professional profile. You’re allowed to have a little fun. A username like “Leo Princess” is cute and gives potential dates a clue to your personality. On the other hand, a username like “Sexy Stud” implies that you’re only interested in casual encounters. If that’s actually the case, no problem, but otherwise you run the risk of putting off potential prospects who are actually seeking relationships.

Have a Positive Attitude

Yes, there are creeps out there. But dating profiles that rant endlessly about “no game players need apply” or “gold diggers not welcome” are not attractive to anyone. It’s possible to express the same sentiment in a more positive way by saying, for instance, “honesty is essential for me.” You may be skeptical about online dating, but try to maintain at least some optimism that you’ll meet nice people, even if you don’t find The One.

Emphasize the Unique

You enjoy walks along the beach and beautiful sunsets. Congratulations. So does the bulk of the human race. Remember, there is a lot of competition with online dating. Unless you’re drop dead gorgeous, you need to include something in your dating profile that allows you to stand out from the crowd. So if you were a standout track star in high school or college, why not include that in your dating profile? On the other hand, avoid getting too personal. Save the fact that you’re taking meds for depression until you have established a steady dating relationship.

Spelling and Punctuation Count

Your dating profile is not a school essay, but it still needs to be letter perfect. Use proper punctuation and grammar, and avoid too many abbreviations. Unless you’re fourteen years old (in which case, you have no business being on an online dating site), don’t write your ad in text speak. Proofread your profile thoroughly, with spell check and by reading through your profile and making manual corrections. Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression – and that includes online dating.