Breaking the Rules
- Wednesday, May 01 2013 @ 04:25 pm
- Contributed by: Jet
- Views: 1,078
When writing an online dating profile, it can be easy to get caught up in the “rules” - that a self-summary must be a certain length, that it should follow a certain format. Certain approaches should be avoided, like humorous ones, and everything should be clear and to the point.
There’s nothing wrong with the rules, and for someone who’s just starting out in the world of online dating, they’re quite useful. But not every suggestion works for every situation. Moreover, the point of an online profile is to create the impression you want. If the rules are a hindrance more than a help, it’s time to evaluate if you really need them.
For example, a common mistake many make is answering every question on a profile, even when the answers aren’t particularly illuminating or entertaining. Perhaps their Friday night isn’t much different from any other night, and that’s not a bad thing - but when someone answers the specific question, “What do you do on Friday nights?” with, “The same thing I do any other work night,” suddenly they seem just a bit more boring. The solution? Don’t answer the question at all! Don’t damage your first impression just because you feel you have to follow the rules.
Now, let’s say you’re naturally creative, you’ve been online dating for awhile, and you’re bored with your existing profile. There’s nothing that says you can’t save the “safe” profile for later, and try your hand at something completely different - a humorous essay, an unusual approach, an image section that creates a flipbook. The important thing to remember is that by taking an unorthodox approach in your profile, you’re gambling; there’s a chance you won’t attract readers, or that you’ll actually put them off. However, if you’re prepared to accept the consequences, why not think outside the box and experiment a little?
Rules, tips and tricks can be invaluable when you’re first starting out, but once you feel you have a command of the basics, you can experiment with more unusual approaches. Just as you might wear a different outfit or present yourself in a different way in public, it doesn’t hurt to play around with your profile - provided you’re prepared to get potentially negative reactions.
There’s nothing wrong with the rules, and for someone who’s just starting out in the world of online dating, they’re quite useful. But not every suggestion works for every situation. Moreover, the point of an online profile is to create the impression you want. If the rules are a hindrance more than a help, it’s time to evaluate if you really need them.
For example, a common mistake many make is answering every question on a profile, even when the answers aren’t particularly illuminating or entertaining. Perhaps their Friday night isn’t much different from any other night, and that’s not a bad thing - but when someone answers the specific question, “What do you do on Friday nights?” with, “The same thing I do any other work night,” suddenly they seem just a bit more boring. The solution? Don’t answer the question at all! Don’t damage your first impression just because you feel you have to follow the rules.
Now, let’s say you’re naturally creative, you’ve been online dating for awhile, and you’re bored with your existing profile. There’s nothing that says you can’t save the “safe” profile for later, and try your hand at something completely different - a humorous essay, an unusual approach, an image section that creates a flipbook. The important thing to remember is that by taking an unorthodox approach in your profile, you’re gambling; there’s a chance you won’t attract readers, or that you’ll actually put them off. However, if you’re prepared to accept the consequences, why not think outside the box and experiment a little?
Rules, tips and tricks can be invaluable when you’re first starting out, but once you feel you have a command of the basics, you can experiment with more unusual approaches. Just as you might wear a different outfit or present yourself in a different way in public, it doesn’t hurt to play around with your profile - provided you’re prepared to get potentially negative reactions.
Subscribe
