In the world of online dating, your profile is the key to success. Your online profile is the first thing that people see when they log onto a dating site and how your profile is presented sets a strong first impression. Make that first impression a good one with the right type of profile. Anyone can throw up a picture and list a few personal facts, but it takes true skill and dedication to create a profile that’s going to catch the eye of a potential mate.
Why Online Dating?
Online dating has grown tremendously in popularity over the last decade. With the widespread availability of dating websites, more and more single adults are turning to the Internet as a way to find love. While online dating might seem like a last resort, the truth is that this practice offers several benefits.
The first and simplest benefit is that online dating is inexpensive. Getting to know someone online is free. Whether you have a lot of money to spend on dates or you’re completely broke, you can appreciate the fact that enjoying a Skype call or talking with someone over instant messenger costs nothing.
Another perk of online dating is that it enables single adults to connect with possible matches regardless of physical location. If you’re living in a rural area on a farm, for example, you could meet someone three states away in a city. Under ordinary circumstances, your paths may have never crossed. Thanks to online dating, though, you’re offered the chance to find the love of your life.
Finally, online dating lets individuals get to know one another emotionally and spiritually before they get to know each other physically. If you’re not ready to embark on a new sexual relationship or you prefer to get to know someone before you cross that line, online dating will let you actually get to know someone’s personality, their interests, their personal background, and their goals for the future in a relaxed, calm setting.
The Value in Setting Goals Before You Create Your Profile
When you join an online dating site, you’ll need to create your profile. This is going to get people to notice you. It’s going to pique their interest. It might even help you find true love. Before you start working on your profile, though, you need to set some goals for what you hope to accomplish through the dating site.
If you’ve never used a dating site before, you might simply be interested in seeing what type of people use dating sites, if there are any attractive prospects in your area, or whether or not you’re actually comfortable talking to people online. This is fine. There’s nothing wrong with testing the waters of online dating without looking for anything serious, but recognize that before you set up your profile.
Some people join online dating sites as a way to find true love or a lifelong partner. If this is how you plan to use the dating site, it’s important that you recognize those goals and that you make it clear on your profile that you aren’t looking for anything short-term. While you don’t need to – and you shouldn’t – say “I am looking for a spouse” on your profile page, you should specify that you are interested in finding someone you can spend time with. A lot of people join online dating sites as a way to get quick hook-ups, and while this isn’t how everyone uses online sites, it’s something you should be aware of before you create your profile.
The Right Picture: How to Take One and Why it Matters
The very first thing that people are going to notice about your profile is your picture. You should always include a profile picture, even if you don’t like the way that you look. If you neglect to upload a photo, you’ll find that fewer people view your page and even fewer send you messages. No one wants to send you an email to ask for a picture. They want to see right away what you look like. While looks certainly aren’t everything, remember that they are important to many people. What’s more important is that the person you’re speaking with is able to visualize your face and that they feel confident that you’re a real person.
You should absolutely feel comfortable with the picture that you take for the website. Consider having a friend come over to help you take a few casual, but tasteful photographs. Fix your hair, put on some makeup, and choose an outfit that makes you feel great. Most online daters opt to use a headshot for their profile picture, but you can always include a full-body shot if you’re comfortable with that.
Get More Profile Views With the Perfect Tagline
The tagline on your profile is going to appear right below your username. Creating a tagline seems tough, but it’s important because it gives people a glimpse into your personality. Your tagline should be brief and succinct, but it should still convey a little something about you. If you love to lift weights, for example, your tagline could say something about going to the gym with the person that you date. If you enjoy cooking, you could say that you’re looking for someone you can cook for.
Like your profile picture, your tagline is going to get you more profile views. Always proofread your tagline to make sure that it is grammatically correct and error-free. If you want other people to take your profile seriously, you need to write in a way that demonstrates self-respect and awareness. Using proper punctuation online and strong grammar will demonstrate this very clearly.
Updating Your Information: How Often and Why
Once your profile is up and running, you’ll want to make sure that you update it at regular intervals. Most websites will display the last time that you logged in, so keeping your profile up-to-date will show potential dates that you’re still on the prowl and looking for someone to spend time with. Ideally, you should update your information at least once a month, though some online daters choose to update their profiles weekly or even daily. Just make sure that everything is up-to-date and accurate, so you can have the best chance at finding love.
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