How to Write a Dating Profile

Internet dating is booming as an effective way to meet people, find romance and even marriage partners. Online dating may disappoint, however, if suitors are few or the wrong type. These tips will help you write a dating profile that maximizes your chances for finding love.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Write a one page informal document describing who you are, your strengths and your interests. Focus on the positive. Do not worry about grammar and editing at this point, simply put on paper who you are as if no one else were to read it. This will help make you more comfortable with writing about yourself, which will show in your writing. Save this draft to work from when you are stuck for information.

2. List your top five personal strengths and three interests or hobbies and show rather than tell how these are displayed in your life. Use your draft or start anew and provide examples of these characteristics. Using loyalty for example, mention the importance of long-term friendships in your life. If you are a good cook, highlight your coveted cuisine. Help the reader visualize who you are and where your interests are.

3. Condense your dating profile into 250 words or less. To do so, remove irrelevant or less important material and employ active verbs and fewer phrases. If needed, take a paragraph and focus on how you can convey the same message in a sentence or two. Seek help on grammar and writing if necessary.

4. Write a dating profile that gets results by starting with a strong and unique introduction in 25 words or less. Effective techniques include humor, posing a thoughtful question or emphasizing a unique characteristic. Avoid trying to cram more information than is needed into the introduction. Encourage potential dates to respond and learn more.

5. Eliminate critical mistakes that land many dating profiles into the digital trash, such as poor grammar, spelling and cliches. Also look for any signs of portraying yourself as desperate, bitter, arrogant or too eager to jump into a serious relationship.

6. Print your profile and read it out loud, both will help in identifying any changes that need to be made. When you write a dating profile, keep in mind that you are what you write to the reader--the rest is imagination, which you hope that your profile encourages.

7. Avoid letting serious interests such as parenting or work overshadow your dating profile. While you want to date compatible people who have similar goals, if you include little else about you as a person than it shows little interest in outside relationships.

8. Be yourself as you write your dating profile and know that as long as you are honest a little polish is not deceptive. It is one thing to receive a bit of assistance to improve your writing and yet it is dishonest to pretend that you possess qualities that you do not.

9. Understand that like tends to attract like in dating profiles, so gear your information accordingly. If you write from a point of desperation you may encourage negative people, or if you exaggerate personality traits you may find a date that is wholly incompatible.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a friend look at your dating profile, one who is not afraid to give honest advice.
• Do not write anything that you are uncomfortable about, especially if you feel it doesn't represent you.
• Think of a dating profile like a book jacket, one that capsulizes the information, promotes interest but doesn't spoil the plot.
• Include a flattering photo, professional or otherwise, rather than a snapshot but use one that would represent you well on a first date.

[LilacGirl]

on 6/13/2008 A thoughtful and well written article.