How To Improve Your Online Dating Profile & Experience

Bright Ideas for Your Online Dating Profile

The new year is well underway and it’s time to kick those new year’s resolutions into action. What better time to put yourself out there and meet someone new than Valentine’s Day? If you’re looking for love, these tips might just be the key to finding it.

Find the right dating site or app for you

Don’t be afraid to join more than one dating site site or app, just make sure it’s right for you. For example, while many people do find love on Tinder, it’s more so known for hookups and short-term flings, while Hinge and Bumble seem to be where more long-term relationships are found. Wherever you land, be sure to express what type of relationship you are looking for (more on this later!).

cropped view of woman using laptop with linkedin website near

What does your dating profile pic say about you?

Within seconds of looking at your profile picture, many people will have decided whether or not they’re interested in you. Firstly, keep your pictures up to date! It doesn’t matter how fantastic you look in them, if when date-time comes you look totally different. While looks shouldn’t be everything, they are your first impression—don’t give a match a reason not to trust you! I suggest varying your photos as much as you can—have one selfie, one group shot, one doing an activity, one all dressed up, etc. Show your different sides in as many ways as you can! Photos aren’t just about how you look, there about showing who you are. Love sport? Include an action shot from your last game. Big on music? Add a photo from your last concert.

You’re interesting, so make sure it shows!

Not many people feel comfortable talking about themselves—especially when it comes to writing it down. But your description of yourself is really important, so be sure to give it the time it deserves. If you’re not sure where to start, imagine how your best friends would describe you if they were trying to set you up on a blind date. What would they say and how would they say it? What are your hobbies and interests? What do you do for work? Your description should reflect who you are, not just your mood on that day. Remember you’re interesting, so don’t be afraid to show it.

Make what you’re looking for clear

Casual dates, or a fully-fledged relationship? If you’re just dipping your toe in and are unsure, start out with a free site that has a big pool of options. That way you can take your time getting used to how it all works while enjoying the freedom to browse for dates and chat to your matches with no strings attached. Once you do know what you want, make this clear in your profile, this will help you avoid wasting time with someone who has different goals to you.

Get to the point

Think of your profile like a tweet—a snapshot of your personality, a teaser for something more. Keep your profile to a punchy 200 words or less. Share as much positive information about yourself in as few words as you can. Stick to the good stuff and avoid sharing unnecessary details about your family, your job, or your ex. Save it for the first date (maybe leave out the details on the ex)!

Honesty is the best policy

Having a short and snappy profile is one thing, but honesty is a must. When it comes to your interests and circumstances, be upfront and honest. How else will you meet your perfect match?

Don’t be afraid to make a move

Be proactive and regularly check your matches. The sooner you make contact the better as you don’t want a potential perfect date to slip away. Online dating is a whole different ballgame to IRL meetings. You’re not in a nightclub with time to lure them onto the dance floor so that they make a move. If you like a person by the look of their profile, send them a message!

Give your profile a regular refresh

Revisit your profile at least once a month to keep it fresh, appealing and up-to-date. A subtle change like adding some new interests, slightly re-wording your description or changing your location, will positively impact the chances of finding that perfect partner.

Holla back

Don’t waste time procrastinating when someone contacts you, whether you’re interested or not. No one likes waiting in anticipation for a response that never comes, so whether it’s a welcomed note, or you need to politely decline a date, let them know. If you are keen, get in quick and get chatting before someone else snags your match.

Safety first—always!

Scamming is an issue that dating sites take very seriously. While sophisticated systems are now in place to block scammers and catfish, they can be very cunning. If you come across someone suspicious, or someone who makes you uncomfortable in any way, report them to the site or app and refrain from engaging with that person. Of course, if anyone ever asks for money or other unreasonable requests, this should ring instant alarm bells.

Safety applies when you take things offline too—if you’re meeting someone in person (particularly if it’s the first time), let someone close to you know where you’re going, who you’ll be with, and how long you think you’ll be gone. Then check in with them post-date so they know what you’re okay. You can never be too cautious when it comes to meeting strangers, no matter how many messages you’ve exchanged with them.

Be open minded

Online dating is the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet people you thought you’d never be attracted to. So they might go for the rival football team, or be shorter than you’d hoped. Does it really matter? Don’t make assumptions and don’t miss out on meeting someone great because you think you have a ‘type’.

Going premium

If you’re looking for something specific, consider opting for a premium account option. Most sites offer extra benefits including extra profile features and specific search and contact settings for a small monthly fee. They may also show you more information, such as who has shown interest in you first.

Social Media

Young Woman Lying On Sofa At Home Looking At Mobile Phone Messages And Social Media

Is it a good idea to share your Facebook or Instagram handle in your online dating profile? Well, this is completely up to you, however I suggest leaning on the conservative side and keeping this private, at least for the short term. Once you’ve met someone and are comfortable with them, then you can share these personal details.

Have fun with it

At the end of the day, just have fun! Taking dating too seriously can take the fun out of it. So try to slow down, relax, and enjoy the process day by day.

Whatever you’re looking for, I hope you find it!

0

Share the post

Leave A reply