10 Tips for Writing a Stellar Online Dating Profile

While your photos might draw in prospective dates, it’s your profile that will make them want to know more, so your profile needs to capture your personality while putting your best foot forward and showing off your attributes. Here are 10 tips for writing a stellar online dating profile:

1. Keep Your Profile Not Too Long, Not Too Short
An ideal profile has 250 words, with 150 words about yourself and another 100 words depicting the kind of person you are seeking. Longer than this, your profile will appear bragging and cause information overload on the potential dates. Shorter than this, it doesn’t reveal enough about yourself and make you appear indifferent.

2. Talk about things important in your life
Do you have hobbies? What do you enjoy doing? What brings joy to your life? Do you have a close relationship with your extended family? What do you value most in your life? Also, people are intrigued by details. What are your favorite songs? What is your favorite form of art? What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night when you are all by yourself? What is your favorite thing to do on a date?

Talk about your social life, your family, your pets or anything that is important to you. By doing this, you give people a glance of who you are, what makes you happy and what is most important to you.

3. Use more stories than generic adjectives
Instead of describing your personality with generic adjectives, demonstrate the traits via details and stories. For example, instead of saying that you are witty, include witty anecdotes in your profile. Likewise, your profile should not read like a resume. Strive for a informal tone, and mix in plenty of facts and specifics.

4. No checklists
You might have, on your mind, a list of qualities that you want your potential mate to have, but don’t post that list in your profile. If your profile contains a laundry list of qualities that you demand in a mate, not only will it scare away a lot of potential dates, but also it makes others think you are egocentric and harsh.

Lose the lists. There will be plenty of time to consider how each date rates with the list once you’ve actually had a date. Also, when you are describing your ideal date, don’t list more than three qualities that you want your potential mate to have. This will help keep your expectations realistic and make you look more attractive.

5. Make a pitch
Remember that you’re selling yourself in this profile. Your profile is to tell people what you can bring to a relationship and why they should get to know you. Don’t put anything negative about yourself in the profile, unless you end it with a positive tone. Focus on reasons why you are fabulously exciting and unique. Tell the truth, but put the most positive spin that you can on the truth.

6. Hold some things back
Do not reveal too much personal information. If the first thing a potential match sees in your profile is that you are in the middle of a nasty divorce or you just lost your job, they will very likely move on. It’s good to be honest, but you need to keep some things that might not show you in an upbeat fashion under wraps at first. Present yourself in a positive and cheerful tone as much as possible on your profile. Disclose the delicate matters later when you and your date know more about each other.

7. Think small
Even though you might have a lot to say, it’s important to make sure that you write in small chunks. Keep each paragraph short and use lots of short paragraphs instead of a long essay. Remember, this isn’t a resume; it’s to show off who you are. Organize your thoughts. Use short sentences and keep the information simple. You don’t need to go into great details about your job, your education, or other accomplishments. Leave that information to discuss on your first date. Instead, talk about things that will reveal some of your personality. Talk about a book that you loved and why it touched you. Or write about the first rock concert you attended and why it was memorable.

8. Make it funny but watch your tone
Having a sense of humor is a highly desirable quality. Most people look for partners who have a good sense of humor. Keep the tone of your profile light and interject some humor here and there. A good way to do that is to write about a situation where you looked foolish or were embarrassed and make fun of it to show that you have a sense of humor and can laugh at yourself.

But you should also watch the tone when you joke in the profile. Sometimes, dry humor or sarcasm doesn’t translate well through text. When you think that you have written something that might come across more harsh or bitter than you meant it to be, make sure you have a friend read it and give you feedbacks.

9. Be confident but don’t brag
Confidence is a bit turn on and bragging is a big turn off. Make sure that your profile shows you as being confident but not bragging. It can be hard to know the difference. If you’re not sure if your profile makes you sound boastful instead of confident, read it out loud. Would you think that the person behind those words was bragging or just confident? If the words sound like you’re bragging, you need to edit it.

10. Proof-read
Don’t be in such a rush to publish your online dating profile that you don’t take the time to proofread. A sloppy profile will make you appear sloppy. Bad grammar and frequent spelling mistakes could make you seem unintelligent. Have a friend edit your profile for you so that you can ensure you’re putting the absolute best foot forward.