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How to make a better online profile

Katie Silcox | Friday 15 February 2008 | 15:42

So here’s our guide of what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your online dating profile. All it takes is a bit more effort and you’ll be sailing away into the online sunset with your dream date.

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The Photo:

Do’s

Do use a recent photo. If it was taken more than a year ago – it’s too old. Yes putting an older photo on might make you feel better when it comes to online dating, but how are you going to feel when it comes to meeting up with someone?

Do choose a photo that you like. Sounds obvious but sometimes you may be tempted to use a photo just because a lot of friends or family have said it’s nice. Fact is, if you use a photo for these reason, you’re not going to receive compliments on it very well – this can be a great turn off for others.

Do smile. This will make you instantly more appealing to others and will, without doubt, attract more people to your profile.

Do make sure your photo is in focus and well-lit. This will mean you come across as genuine and serious about looking for someone.

Do look directly at the camera rather than away at something else. This way you’re far more likely to grab someone’s attention.

Do make sure it represents you well, but truthfully.

Don’ts

Don’t hide your face – be this with hair, sunglasses, a hat or anything else. People will prefer an open and honest photo to one where they’re not sure what they’re getting.

Don’t have someone else in your photo. For so many reasons. Does that person give permission? Who’s profile is it? Who is the other person…brother…ex…?

Don’t have even a little bit of another person in the photo. That includes arms and hands. Again, is it an ex? A current partner? Most people won’t bother to message you if you have someone else’s arm around you in your profile.

Don’t show too much of your body as shots of only your chest or legs will get you the wrong kind of attention. And men – don’t pose with your top of, no matter how good you think you look. It’s best to keep some things until a later date.

Don’t wear loads of make up. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard, do you?

The text:

Do’s 

Do filter. Although you want responses, you only want then from people you’d consider dating, right? So be specific and state what you’re looking for. Gender, age and location are important – and we’re sure you have more personal preferences.

Do be honest about yourself. There’s no point in making things up to sound more interesting as you’ll only get found out at a later date, and your date may not be too happy about this.

Do show your personality in what you write. This might sound hard but if you write in the way that you speak in conversation, it’s likely your natural character will shine through.

Do avoid being negative. We all know that people tend to prefer positive face-to-face interactions, so why do different in your online profile. Be positive and you’ll have a greater response than if you’re negative.

Do have fun writing your profile. If you enjoy writing it, chances are, others will enjoy reading it.

Don’ts

Don’t choose a bad username. First and foremost. A username such as ‘red_hot_guy’ or ‘looking4u’ may, only may, attract some attention but it’s not going to be the right kind.

Don’t leave an empty drop down. The site makes it ewasy for you to share information with others, so share it! Leaving a drop-down blank makes it seems like:

a) You’re not confident enough to be true to yourself

OR

b) You have something to hide

Don’t write too much. No-one wants to read your life story through your profile. Write about a paragraph, making it unique and quirky.

Don’t mention anything about past relationships. This is a big one. If you write even one tiny little snippet about an ex, it will instantly appear like you’re not over him or her (which you’re probably not), and that you’re not ready yet to move on (which you’re probably not).

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