If you’re single, remember that online dating is just one option you can take if you’re hoping to meet someone with marriage 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 an eye-catching title and summary.
There are two general rules:
**Be yourself (this means being true to your personality and temperament).
**Be honest about your likes, preferences, hobbies and interests.
There are many different types of singles out there, and I think you should keep an open mind to the types that you might attract or those that you will be attracted to.
However, calling yourself “an athletic guy who enjoys the outdoors” or “a simple and friendly girl” does not arouse 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 could add “push!” to dull, boring personality descriptions? You can also play around with words that show off 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 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 companion?”
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 is a better way to introduce yourself without “inflating” your personal credentials. As? Play down your weaknesses without denying them, but mention your other notable qualities as well.
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 event planning or public speaking skills and make up for his lack of culinary experience.
If you are one of the many men and women who hold jobs but have not yet completed a degree and are wondering how you will fare among potential college graduating partners, mention any future plans to include continuing education in your goals. .
Determine your marketables from your nonmarketables.
If you want to date with a serious relationship in mind that could lead to marriage, be wary of anyone who has only given vague descriptions about 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 to a different town or city, or even to 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 useful 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 messages you. Strike a balance and manage your time online and offline.