| Creating a Great Online
Dating Profile
by Jan Andersen
First impressions are important, which is why it is essential
to create an appealing, but honest profile of yourself. After
all, this is the only information that a potential suitor
has to go on initially and the decision on whether or not
to contact you will be based upon what he or she reads in
your profile. A great photo alone is not enough. After all,
would you really want someone to choose you based purely on
the way that you look rather than the person you are?
If you are not submitting a photo, then it is even more important
to give a good description of yourself, your interests and
your dislikes, along with information about the type of person
you are seeking. A great profile will improve your chances
of linking up with someone compatible and someone who is genuinely
interested in you as a person.
There are no benefits in embellishing facts
or lying, since the truth will emerge once you meet somebody.
If they discover that you have distorted the truth, then trust
will be lost, along with a potentially great relationship.
You want somebody to choose you, because of who you are and
not because you appear to live up to someone else’s
fantasy.
Allow your personality to shine through. If
you have a talent for wit and a great sense of humour, then
incorporate these qualities into your profile. Be totally
honesty about whom you are seeking, even down to including
traits that you wouldn’t like in a potential partner
and what you are hoping to gain from a future relationship.
Conclude on an inviting note.
Don’t, of course, include too many personal
details, such as your home address, telephone number, social
establishments you frequent, vital statistics or bodily flaws,
unless you want some weirdo with a penchant for bunions or
three nipples to turn up drooling on your doorstep.
Choosing a Photo to Accompany Your Profile
Do include a recent, but flattering photo of
yourself, not one that was taken 10 years ago when you were
a different size/had a different hair colour/had more hair/less
wrinkles/were going through your Gothic phase and which looks
nothing like you do now. It may seem shallow, but those who
include a photograph generally generate more interest than
those who only submit a written profile.
Choose a clear photo in which you are smiling
and appear approachable, rather than one taken when you were
having a particularly bad day and which would probably deter
anyone from wanting to contact you.
Double-Checking Your Profile
It is important to always double-check your
spelling, punctuation and grammar before submitting your profile.
Whilst most dating sites will provide the option of being
able to edit your profile, it saves time in the long run by
getting it right first time. I would always advise creating
and saving your profile in Word or Notepad, so that if the
pc decides to kick you out of the system for any reason whilst
you are in the middle of inputting your profile, it will not
be lost. It also means that if you join more than one dating
site, you can simply cut and paste the profile into the relevant
boxes on the site.
Online dating has revolutionised the matchmaking
process, so why not make it work for you by portraying yourself
in the best possible light and attracting Mr or Mrs Right
into your life?
Keywords: online dating, romance, love,
marriage, friendship, partner
About the Author
Jan Andersen, Swindon, Wiltshire, England
worldwriteruk@hotmail.com
http://www.mothersover40.com
Jan Andersen is a Freelance Writer and Copywriter specialising
in articles and features on diverse lifestyle topics and social
issues. She has also participated in many TV and radio programmes.
Jan also owns and runs five websites; World Writer, Mothers
Over 40, Child Suicide, SACS (Surviving After Child Suicide)
and Jan Andersen Writing Services. Until recently, Jan had
four children aged 20, 18, 17 and 4. Her eldest son, Kristian,
tragically took his own life on 1 November 2002. Whilst campaigning
for depression, suicide and drugs’ awareness, Jan is
writing a book on child suicide entitled, “Chasing Death”.
http://www.janandersen.homestead.com
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