Writing a Good Profile: First, Write Well
- Thursday, August 30 2012 @ 10:48 am
- Contributed by: Jet
- Views: 1,105
Everyone wants their online profile to really, truly represent themselves. In just the space of a few paragraphs, your aim is to present yourself as a layered, nuanced individual with a good heart and a wicked sense of humor. You want to set yourself apart from everyone else, but you don’t want to write a novel to do so.
So you know what will most effectively get in the way of all that? Bad proofreading.
Yes, it’s important to know who you are, and what you want, before you even sit down to write. But where that really saves time is in the dating aspect; you’re not wasting your time (and everyone else’s) going on dates with people who aren’t good for you or are what you ultimately want. When it comes to writing the actual profile, though, it’s honestly most important to communicate your ideas simply and cleanly. Misspelled words, long-winded anecdotes, laundry lists of your likes and dislikes - these only muddy the waters, more often than not.
Now, how do you go about writing a profile that’s not bloated and cloudy, but not too bare-bones and generic? Well, a good place to start is to think all the way back to elementary school. Remember when you were first learning to write an essay, and you had to map your writing? Doing a little mapping to clarify your thoughts can never hurt, especially when you’re getting started.
Think of a few key points you want to make about yourself, the ones you feel are most important. Maybe it’s your love of adventure. Maybe it’s your keen intellect. Maybe it’s your generous heart. Don’t worry about getting to every single aspect of your personality; you’re essentially just making a first impression here, and you can always fill in the layers and details later. So pick the few qualities that are most important to you.
Next, support your claims. You love adventure? Come up with a few details about your exploits. You’re intelligent? Let’s hear a nerdy pun. You’re kind-hearted? Now’s the time you mention your rescue kitten and your volunteering. Don’t worry too much about bragging; if you don’t talk up yourself, who will? Your humble nature will come across in emails and in person.
Before you know it, you’ll have a few paragraphs that paint a picture and are supported by relevant details - just the right balance you’re seeking. Now, don’t forget to proofread! Spell-check, read critically, even use friends or family as editors (though remember you always have the final word). It might feel like school, but proofreading is really one of the simplest things you can do to a profile - and it’s probably the most effective! Who knew setting yourself apart was as simple as using a spellchecker?
So you know what will most effectively get in the way of all that? Bad proofreading.
Yes, it’s important to know who you are, and what you want, before you even sit down to write. But where that really saves time is in the dating aspect; you’re not wasting your time (and everyone else’s) going on dates with people who aren’t good for you or are what you ultimately want. When it comes to writing the actual profile, though, it’s honestly most important to communicate your ideas simply and cleanly. Misspelled words, long-winded anecdotes, laundry lists of your likes and dislikes - these only muddy the waters, more often than not.
Now, how do you go about writing a profile that’s not bloated and cloudy, but not too bare-bones and generic? Well, a good place to start is to think all the way back to elementary school. Remember when you were first learning to write an essay, and you had to map your writing? Doing a little mapping to clarify your thoughts can never hurt, especially when you’re getting started.
Think of a few key points you want to make about yourself, the ones you feel are most important. Maybe it’s your love of adventure. Maybe it’s your keen intellect. Maybe it’s your generous heart. Don’t worry about getting to every single aspect of your personality; you’re essentially just making a first impression here, and you can always fill in the layers and details later. So pick the few qualities that are most important to you.
Next, support your claims. You love adventure? Come up with a few details about your exploits. You’re intelligent? Let’s hear a nerdy pun. You’re kind-hearted? Now’s the time you mention your rescue kitten and your volunteering. Don’t worry too much about bragging; if you don’t talk up yourself, who will? Your humble nature will come across in emails and in person.
Before you know it, you’ll have a few paragraphs that paint a picture and are supported by relevant details - just the right balance you’re seeking. Now, don’t forget to proofread! Spell-check, read critically, even use friends or family as editors (though remember you always have the final word). It might feel like school, but proofreading is really one of the simplest things you can do to a profile - and it’s probably the most effective! Who knew setting yourself apart was as simple as using a spellchecker?
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