Emily currently lives in Austin TX and spends most of her time writing and enjoying the weather. She loves to write stories for children and screenplays for all ages. When she's not writing, Emily is teaching horseback riding, working as a vet tech, or painting. 
Millions of people worldwide visit online dating sites and many of those post profiles for others to see. But writing a good profile isn’t as easy as it sounds. After all, your picture and your profile define you on the site. Although good pictures are necessary, you need to know the basics about writing a profile that will keep someone reading and, hopefully, attract enough positive attention to persuade them to contact you.
Sites like eHarmony.com usually cater to those looking for long lasting relationships while other sites like the Yahoo Personals and Great Expectations cater more to those looking for dates with the potential of relationships. Keep in mind the type of site to which you belong. You don’t want to write a profile on eHaromony that would be better suited for Yahoo.
A brief note on your photo: Make sure it’s good. Smile. As much as you may not like your teeth, a smiling face is very, very attractive and conveys friendliness and warmth in your profile. Good lighting is key, too. You don’t need to look green, so make sure the photo represents your actual skin color. A head shot is perfect, there’s no need to show more than the upper torso and face. Of course this does depend on the site, but most suggest just a friendly head shot to give others an idea of your age and features. But, honestly, a smile says A LOT.
What you say in your profile makes a huge impression. Take the time to do it right. If you feel uncomfortable writing it, have a friend help you. There are actually people who will write them for you for money, too. You can always hire a freelancer to write a stellar script.
Quick notes:
- Start with yourself, not what you’re looking for. Whoever is reading wants to know about you more than anything else
- Stay positive. Always, always, always keep your profile upbeat. No one wants to date anyone who sounds angry, resentful or depressed.
- Stay away from “don’t” and “not” these are negative words that generally send equivalent energy to your reader.
- Keep it concise and to the point.
- Be articulate. If you can’t write, have someone help you. Even geniuses have a difficult time writing good personal profiles so don’t feel bad. What you write is, essentially, your first impression so make it good.
- Avoid videos if possible. Most people are not comfortable in front of a camera and, therefore, generally appear anxious or nervous. You don’t need either of these to come across to a potential date.
DO NOT ramble on about how you need someone who is honest and trustworthy and great at communication. DO NOT describe what you don’t want. No one wants someone who is superficial or self-absorbed and no one looking at your ad would admit to it even if they were.
AVOID describing anything in great detail. You can leave that for future conversations. Your goal is to hook them first. Details come later. Think of it like a resume: short, simple, and interesting enough to get their attention for an interview.
ABOVE ALL ELSE avoid talking about breakups or divorces. Again, too much detail and not enough positive voice. You also want to avoid talking about the great importance of honesty and integrity and communication. All of these scream resentment, fear, and pain.
IMPORTANT! Have someone read your profile before you post it. Make sure it’s someone who will give you honest feedback. Again, you can always hire a professional to help you write or edit it prior to posting. In the long run it can be worth it.
Good Luck!!
Suggested sites:
· eHarmony