Online Dating: Creating Your Profile

 By Nina Atwood

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Now that you know your target audience, here are a few do’s and don’ts for creating your online profile. This is your advertisement for YOU, so it pays to take the time to do it well.

Men:

• Don’t use pictures of yourself with rod, reel & big fish, holding a baseball bat, standing by the carcass of some poor dead animal that you shot, or holding a full mug of beer at the stadium. There’s plenty of time later to tell your future beloved that you enjoy sports and hunting. Your online profile should have a nice headshot plus full body shot of you in a neutral setting.
• Don’t use pictures of yourself with other people, even if you think having your nieces and nephews in the shot makes you look more family oriented. There’s plenty of time for her to meet your friends, family, and co-workers later. Right now, it’s important to showcase YOU.
• Don’t use pictures of yourself with your pets; again, it can be a limiting factor at first, especially if she’s allergic.
• Don’t advertise your wealth or success unless you want someone who is looking for financial support. Instead, focus on your interests, hobbies, and values.
• Don’t be afraid to say that you’re looking for a soul mate and have the goal of marriage. For marriage minded women, this is very attractive.

Women:

• Don’t use seductive shots or glamour shots unless you want to attract the players. Men are visual so it matters how you look, but don’t advertise sex. And don’t overdo the makeup either; natural beauty enhanced by cosmetics is the most attractive to the most men.
• Don’t be dowdy or overly conservative for your pictures; wear something nice that shows a little skin: no cleavage but just above cleavage zone is exposed, arms showing if you have a little tone in them. No short skirts but a knee length skirt with heels can show off your legs nicely.
• No pet shots – you can weed out the non animal lovers later.
• No shots of you with your sorority sisters at a gala or your beautiful friends at a trendy bar; the focus should be squarely on you.
• If you are high profile in the business world, save that information for later, unless you want to attract the underachievers looking for a bankroll. Instead, focus on your interests and values.
• Don’t be afraid to say that you’re looking for a soulmate, marriage, and children. The commitment-minded guys will love that. The players will steer clear.

Now the do’s for men and women:

• Invest in good photos! No shots done by your friend with the cell phone, no shots of you at a party drinking, no self-portraits done in the mirror. You’ll stand out if you get a photographer and have two professional shots done: one head shot and one full body of you standing. You can have a friend do this to save money as long as the friend is a really good photographer.
• Invest in a makeover. If you haven’t updated your look: hair, makeup, wardrobe, in ten years or more, you need an objective person to help you get real about it so you can make the most of your online dating. Ask the friend or co-worker who you think is the most attractive person around to give you candid feedback. If you have the bucks, go to a salon and get a professional makeover. Or, go to your local department store makeup counter and let them do it for free.
• Get healthy and fit. If you are overweight or not fit, you’ll limit your audience. Why not use this time of life to change course for your long-term health? Join a gym, start walking every day, and adjust your eating habits. You’ll be more attractive to a larger pool of singles, and even more important, you’ll bring more to a relationship by getting healthier.

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Entry Filed under: Dating