1. Ask your friends for help
Get a friend to help you write your profile. Sometimes they know you better than you know yourself.
2. Avoid clichés
Even if you do like “walking on the beach” or “drinking wine in front of a roaring fire” leave it out – everyone says that. Think of something interesting that could be a conversation starter.
3. List sociable hobbies
‘People have to imagine how they’ll fit into your life, so describing yourself as a “bookworm and internet addict” makes them feel they’d never see you,’ explains match.com’s relationship expert Kate Taylor. ‘Play up your love of anything sporty, outdoorsy or public – like concerts and exhibitions.’
4. Choose action shots
Wouldn’t you know, profile photos that demonstrate you playing your guitar or downhill skiing – even if your face isn’t showing – get more messages.
5. Stay positive
Avoid negative tones and always be positive about yourself. Your profile is essentially your dating CV. You wouldn’t want a future employer to read anything negative, so why would you want a potential partner to read anything that isn’t positive?
6. Be honest
Lying doesn’t get you anywhere in the dating world. Honesty is the best policy!
7. Be specific
Talk in specifics to give a full flavour of who you are. If you love travelling, say where your favourite place is and why. Anything concrete like this brings you alive to anyone reading.
8. Update regularly
Keep your profile up to date. Make the effort to renew your profile on a regular basis with relevant information about yourself.
9. Check your grammar
Many people find poor grammar and spelling a turn off, and the best of us can make mistakes, so be careful on this point. Put your profile into Word and use your computer spell check for peace of mind.
10. Say cheese
In a recent poll, we found that 96 per cent of people would rather see a big, happy grin in a profile photo than a sexy pout.
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11. Choose recent photos
If they are more than a year old, don’t use them. One of the most frequent complaints about online dating profiles is “they may have looked like that once but they certainly don’t look like that now”. Looking better in the flesh is better than the reverse.
12. Keep it short and sweet
‘You wouldn’t introduce yourself to someone in a bar with your entire life history, so don’t do it online,’ says match.com‘s Kate. ‘Women have a tendency to write too much because we enjoy reading long profiles. Men are not like us! Imagine you are doing an icebreaker introduction where you have to sum yourself up briefly.’
13. Have fun
Most people want to find someone who can make them laugh, so show people you have a sense of humour. If you can make someone laugh, it’s a great icebreaker and could get your conversation off to a great start.
14. Be the focus
Don’t choose a picture where you are not the main focal point.
15. Summer lovin’
‘Our latest research found that people in summery photographs were seen as more attractive than in their winter pics,’ says Kate. ‘Go back through your Facebook holiday album and find some recent summertime photos.’
Get a friend to help you write your profile. Sometimes they know you better than you know yourself.
2. Avoid clichés
Even if you do like “walking on the beach” or “drinking wine in front of a roaring fire” leave it out – everyone says that. Think of something interesting that could be a conversation starter.
3. List sociable hobbies
‘People have to imagine how they’ll fit into your life, so describing yourself as a “bookworm and internet addict” makes them feel they’d never see you,’ explains match.com’s relationship expert Kate Taylor. ‘Play up your love of anything sporty, outdoorsy or public – like concerts and exhibitions.’
4. Choose action shots
Wouldn’t you know, profile photos that demonstrate you playing your guitar or downhill skiing – even if your face isn’t showing – get more messages.
5. Stay positive
Avoid negative tones and always be positive about yourself. Your profile is essentially your dating CV. You wouldn’t want a future employer to read anything negative, so why would you want a potential partner to read anything that isn’t positive?
6. Be honest
Lying doesn’t get you anywhere in the dating world. Honesty is the best policy!
7. Be specific
Talk in specifics to give a full flavour of who you are. If you love travelling, say where your favourite place is and why. Anything concrete like this brings you alive to anyone reading.
8. Update regularly
Keep your profile up to date. Make the effort to renew your profile on a regular basis with relevant information about yourself.
9. Check your grammar
Many people find poor grammar and spelling a turn off, and the best of us can make mistakes, so be careful on this point. Put your profile into Word and use your computer spell check for peace of mind.
10. Say cheese
In a recent poll, we found that 96 per cent of people would rather see a big, happy grin in a profile photo than a sexy pout.
Reading now
Downton Abbey the musical
Downton Abbey the Musical is happening (and we’re seriously excited)
Cara Delevingne documentary
Is Cara Delevingne about to get her own show?
easy hairstyles
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Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm
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11. Choose recent photos
If they are more than a year old, don’t use them. One of the most frequent complaints about online dating profiles is “they may have looked like that once but they certainly don’t look like that now”. Looking better in the flesh is better than the reverse.
12. Keep it short and sweet
‘You wouldn’t introduce yourself to someone in a bar with your entire life history, so don’t do it online,’ says match.com‘s Kate. ‘Women have a tendency to write too much because we enjoy reading long profiles. Men are not like us! Imagine you are doing an icebreaker introduction where you have to sum yourself up briefly.’
13. Have fun
Most people want to find someone who can make them laugh, so show people you have a sense of humour. If you can make someone laugh, it’s a great icebreaker and could get your conversation off to a great start.
14. Be the focus
Don’t choose a picture where you are not the main focal point.
15. Summer lovin’
‘Our latest research found that people in summery photographs were seen as more attractive than in their winter pics,’ says Kate. ‘Go back through your Facebook holiday album and find some recent summertime photos.’