If you’re single, remember that online dating is just one of the options you can take if you’re hoping to meet someone with marriageable potential. But be very careful, because not everyone who frequents dating sites has the purest of intentions.
There is one thing that can play a crucial role in your success in attracting quality matches: your online profile. Here are several guidelines to help you:
Create a catchy title and summary.
There are two general rules:
**Be yourself (this means being true to your personality and temperament).
**Be honest about your likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests.
There are a lot of different types of singles out there, and I think you should keep an open mind to the types you might or will be attracted to.
However, calling yourself “an athletic guy who enjoys the outdoors” or “a simple, friendly girl” doesn’t spark interest in the minds of people browsing your profile.
Now take a look at the following:
“A software engineer with a heart for our four-legged friends. Volunteered at a shelter on the weekends. Won blue ribbons at the Quezon Memorial Circle dog show three years in a row.”
“The creative girl who knits and knits scarves and sweaters is looking for a partner who enjoys art exhibits and trips to museums.”
See how dramatically those words were able to add “push!” to boring and boring personality descriptions? You can also play around with words that show your desirable character attributes, like…
“I’m a copywriter and photographer who blogs in my spare time. I have a wicked sense of humor and am an expert at throwing out one-liners that never fail to make my friends laugh. I’ll buy you a latte.”
“A math whiz and proficient tutor in algebra and calculus, I can also make pesto and fettuccine alfredo. I’m taking Italian lessons for a future trip to Venice or Milan. Could you be my travel buddy?”
Highlight your strengths.
An online dating profile is not a summary, but I noticed that most of the time, men and women brag to sound more impressive. You don’t need to be like the high school kid who acts a certain way just to “get the girl” (or the guy). There’s a better way to present yourself without “inflating” your personal credentials. How? Minimize your weaknesses without denying them, but also mention your other notable qualities.
To illustrate, if you’re not known as the best cook among your family or friends, talk briefly about the block party you helped organize, or the potluck dinner you brilliantly hosted. This would emphasize his ability to organize an event or public speaking and make up for his lack of culinary experience.
If you’re one of a number of men and women who hold down jobs but haven’t finished a degree yet and wonder how you’ll fare among potential college graduates, mention any future plans to include continuing education among your goals. .
Determine your marketables from your non-marketables.
If you want to date with a serious relationship in mind that could lead to marriage, be wary of anyone who has only provided vague descriptions of their job or career. This could be a “red flag” regarding the financial stability of a potential partner.
Another factor that could serve as a negotiable or non-negotiable is your willingness to move to a new place, probably a different town or city, or even a completely different country if you end up with someone of a different race or ethnicity.
Be honest about your past, but discuss it sparingly.
This would be helpful for single men and women who have had a child or children from a previous relationship, or those with a history of substance or alcohol abuse but are now completely sober and would like to get their lives back on track.
You do not need to provide a detailed explanation of your past relationship. One of the advantages of online dating is that you can be completely honest about his status as a single parent and still be able to meet potential people who would be willing to accept his past.
Keep your life offline.
Avoid taking large amounts of time from what you already do just to see if people are checking out your profile. It’s easy to become obsessed with every person who sends you a message. Strike a balance and manage your time online and offline.
