Creating the Best Online Dating Profile

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Online Dating Profile

Online dating can feel intimidating. The initial setup of your profile can sometimes make you feel pressured to make it perfect. But here’s a secret: there is no such thing as a perfect profile. No matter what you put out there on the Internet, you’ve just got to stay true to yourself. That authenticity will shine through when the right person reads it.

However, I get asked a lot what a “good” profile looks like, so I wanted to supply some tips today that may help you when you’re getting started.

People Really Meet Their Soulmates Online

I’m proud to say I met my husband (my soulmate) on an Internet dating site. It’s been eight years and we’re going strong. I know for a fact that we would have never met otherwise. But this article isn’t about me; it’s about you! I’m going to help you meet the love of your life on the Internet, because they are out there! Check out my tips for creating the best Internet dating site profile.

Depending on the dating site, there are several featured elements to work on, but I’m going to touch on the big ones all the sites share: your pictures, your stats, and your biography.

Your Picture

You should use recent photos of yourself. Before you roll your eyes at me, just know that plenty of people don’t use recent pictures. I once went out with a guy whose profile picture was 15 years old. In it, he posed with a dog. By the time we started talking online that dog had been dead for 10 years!

Don’t use pictures from high school or even ones that are six months old. In fact, take new pictures of yourself for your dating profile. Take head-to-toe pictures of yourself, take headshots, and include pictures of yourself doing some of your favorite activities.

If you’re athletic, include an action shot. If you like animals, include a picture of you with your pet. Don’t use Photoshop to make your pictures more flattering. Don’t add more hair on the top of your head or slim your body down. If you want to meet someone and have a relationship, you need to present who you really are, and that includes what you really look like.

Your Stats

Your stats may include your age, body type, religion, political views, income, and what kind of relationship you’re looking for. Like your picture, you need to be completely honest here too because you’re going to meet someone great and if you want the relationship to last, you can’t lie to them. Don’t answer these questions based on who you’d like to be some day; answer them based on who you are right now. If you’re lying, you’re going to be found out eventually.

In my Internet dating experience, I find most people lie about what they look like, if they’ve been married before, whether they have kids or not and what type of relationship they’re really looking for. Unfortunately, there are a lot of sweet talkers out there who are just looking for a hookup. Don’t get involved in that if that’s not what you truly want.

This section is really important because your potential mates are trying to see if you’d be a good fit for them. Don’t lie in order to get more people interested in you. You’ll end up getting your heart broken!

Your Bio

This is your opportunity to talk about who you are in more detail. Think about your most appealing qualities and give details about them in this section. Talk about your hobbies and why you like them. Tell a potential mate what’s lovable about you.

Don’t be negative. I don’t care how many times you’ve had your heart broken; don’t use your bio to rant and rave about how poorly your last ex treated you. This is your opportunity to move on to someone better! Don’t waste this space being bitter and angry.

Talk about what kind of person you’re looking for. You can talk about looks if you have a particular type but spend more of this space talking about what kind of person your soulmate should be. Do you want to be with someone adventurous? Do you want to be with someone who’s excited to start a family? Think about your ideal mate and describe them here.

Your Dating Mantra

You should keep this mantra in mind as you navigate the waters of Internet dating: “There is someone amazing out there for me.” And there is. I don’t care if you’re 40 pounds heavier than you’d like to be or haven’t completed your college or high school degree—there are people out there who will not only accept you, but they will also love you for who you are, at this exact moment in time. You don’t have to be perfect to deserve or find love. You just have to be ready, positive, open-minded, and honest!