Improve Your Dating Profile in Five Easy Steps
by John Santana
The world of dating has changed a lot. The advent of technology and the hectic lives people lead, combined with the coronavirus crisis, are all factors that have contributed to a massive shift in the dating landscape. Now more than ever, people are relying on online dating sites to put themselves out there.
Whether you’re looking for something casual or your one-and-only, online dating sites can be a great way to meet up with others. The key to success, however, is attracting attention to your profile. If you’re on an online dating site (or a few) and you aren’t receiving any responses, you may be feeling frustrated and just bummed out. Given the fact that there are millions of single people around the world who are actively using online dating sites, if your profile isn’t getting any activity, you can’t help but wonder, “Is it me?” Well, the truth is, it probably isn’t you, but rather, your profile.
A lot of people have the same problem, and the issue is usually the result of some pretty common mistakes. The amount of information shared (too much or too little) and using the wrong language are just some of the common reasons why some dating profiles don’t get a lot of ‘right swipes’.
In the world of online dating, your profile is your first impression. Here are five easy steps to make it count.
Pick Your Photos Carefully
When it comes to online dating, the photos you choose can make or break your profile. After all, your photos are the first thing that potential matches see and you only get one chance to make them take a second look.
When we say pick your photos carefully, we don’t mean to choose the sexiest pics of yourself. Unfortunately, that’s a big mistake that a lot of people make, and all too often, it doesn’t work out so well. You really need to put some thought into your photos; you want to choose images that will highlight your best features and will draw attention, yet also show the real you.
When you’re choosing photos to feature on your profile, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Opt for high-quality images. Avoid photos that are grainy, blurry, dark, and/or out-of-focus. Instead, choose images and pictures that are crisp, clear, that are well-lit, and in focus.
- Feature a variety of pictures. Incorporate images that highlight your interests and different aspects of your personality; photos of you partaking in your favorite pastimes, hanging out with loved ones, in your favorite location, etc.
- Make sure your face is visible. You can feature a few images with accessories, such as sunglasses or hats; however, there should be at least one picture that shows your entire face.
- Steer clear of selfies. Sure, they’re cute for social media, but for your dating profile? It might not be the best idea. If you want to improve your dating profile, include images that someone else has taken of you. Use photos that can give potential matches a good sense of who you are as a person, what your interests are, what your hobbies are, or what kind of personality you have.
Let Your Personality Shine in Your Bio
Another major mistake that people make with their dating profiles is that they don’t focus on showcasing their personalities in their bios. Sure, looks are important when it comes to dating, but personality is even more important, and your bio is the best place to highlight yours. Not sure how to showcase your personality? Here are a few suggestions you can try:
- Be open and honest. Don’t pretend you’re someone you aren’t. For example, if you aren’t an athlete, don’t pretend to be one, and if you aren’t into cars, don’t claim that you are. Instead, make sure you’re open and honest about your likes and dislikes.
- Share your hobbies and the things that interest you in your bio. This is a great way to attract like-minded people who share common interests.
- Showcase what makes you unique. What sets you apart from the crowd? Show what makes you, well, you!
- Avoid using vague language, terms, or statements. Don’t just say “I enjoy having fun”. Get specific and give your potential matches an idea of what they’re in for. You can also include what you’re looking for in potential matches and possible relationships.
Use Your Profile as a Conversation Starter
Your profile can serve as a great way to start a conversation. It’s where you share information about yourself, such as your personality, your likes and dislikes, and what you’re looking for, with potential matches. If someone sees something in your profile that catches their attention and that they relate to, they might be inclined to start up a conversation with you. How can you use your profile as a conversation starter? Here are a few tips:
- Showcase your interests
- Ask specific and unique questions
- Show your sense of humor
- Incorporate open-ended statements
Avoid Cliches
Using clichés is another big mistake that people make with their dating profiles. Cliches are used way too often, so much so that they lose their meaning; for example, “all’s fair in love and war”, “beauty is only skin deep”, and “laughter is the best medicine”. Using them in your dating profile will make you seem, well, unoriginal, boring, and meh. If there’s a particular saying or phrase you like but it’s used way too often, use your creativity to modify it. That way, you can share the same message, but in a more unique way.
Regularly Update Your Profile
Finally, if you want to improve your dating profile, make sure you update it regularly. Doing so will increase your visibility and boost your chances of attracting attention. Update your hobbies and interests. Add new details about exciting things that have happened in your life; for example, if you started a new career or you recently took a vacation, or had a life-changing experience, make sure you include that updated info in your profile.
Updating your profile on a regular basis will allow you to keep things fresh and will demonstrate that you are a real person, with real interests and who is leading an active life, These factors alone will help to improve your dating profile and increase the amount of attention you receive.
Increase Your Chances of Online Dating Success
Online dating can be challenging, but by creating an awesome profile, you can improve your chances of success. Whether you’re new to online dating or you’ve been at it for a while but haven’t had a lot of luck, implementing the above-mentioned tips will help to enhance your profile – and the likelihood that you’ll attract more potential matches.
Who knows, with these tips, you just might find Mr or Miss right, but at the very least, you’ll up your chances of starting a conversation and maybe going out on a few dates with someone.