Online Dating Creating The Perfect Online Profile

Online Dating: Creating The Perfect Online Profile

Online dating has reached such levels of popularity that it is now becoming more acceptable than it used to. In fact, due to the innumerable stories about successful relationships that started off as an online partnership, people are turning to this alternative way of looking for a partner. Whether you are new to the idea or you’ve been online for years, one key to online dating success is your profile. Online, you are what your profile says. In short, everything you are is summed up in one page on the Internet.

The first way to create a stand out profile is to come up with a catchy profile headline and screen name. This is usually what people see first. So put all you have into writing an attention grabber. However, avoid being a copy cat. Instead, be original. This will also serve you well in the long run. If you show something of the real you, then there is no need to pretend at any point in the relationship. Before writing that headline, think long and hard about how you perceive yourself and how your friends see you. Try to remember what they say are your best qualities. Choose the ones you agree with, and then write them down. Do not ramble on and on. Decide what you want to say and say it. Lastly, be fresh and positive. Exude a vibrant aura and you will attract people to your profile. As for your screen name, the same thing applies. Be positive and unique. It may take you a little while to come up with something but it will be worth your effort.

To put a photo or not? That is the question. Some people prefer not to place their pictures on the net. The rationale is this: it shouldn’t matter what I look like, other people should like me for who I am. That is well and good. However, online dating websites testify to the fact that people who include a flattering photo in their profiles get responses 8 times more than those who do not. If you want to get more responses, then have a picture taken – from your most flattering angle – and include it in your profile.

Emphasize your unique traits. What makes you different? Help the other person understand you a little bit. Be detailed just to the point of avoiding vagueness. A little caution should be exercised here. It is fine for you to give some personal information but refrain from being too personal. It is not a good idea to vent out your problems and issues you are dealing with.

Make your expectations clear. What do you really want out of a relationship? Is this just a fling or something more stable? Mention what the other person can expect from you as well. Talk about your hobbies and things that you like to do with your partner. This way, the unsuitable candidates will not waste time – yours and his/hers.

All throughout the profile writing process bear in mind two things: honesty and originality. These will get you a long way.

BONUS : Online Dating Dilemmas

Navigating the online dating scene can become an overwhelming situation; these articles will help steer you in the right direction.
There are a few common scenarios that many online daters eventually experience, and each one can seem like a stumbling block, impeding the way to a happier, brighter love life. The most common experience—and often one of the first—is the impulse sign up period; you browse a couple promising profiles that catch your interest, and you can't help but to rush and sign up, posting a first draft profile. The second most common experience is that moment of first contact, but you're unsure of how to proceed, or that if you should take down your profile entirely. And then there's that online dating overload sensation, a feeling of burn out. We can help; follow our advice for a more enjoyable online dating adventure.

Ok, I've just created a new profile, and I'm ready to meet new people, but how do I proceed? What do I do?

So you've just signed up and are ready to take the online dating world by storm. You may be tempted to contact a multitude of people—anyone with blue eyes or within a decent driving distance; this “spam” approach to online dating is a bad move. This desperate approach really won't get you very far in the online dating world. Pick five to six people and see if anyone of them works out; if not, move on to several more. Don't overwhelm yourself, casting out a big dating net, seeing if someone bites—you're not on a race against time. Take it easy my friend; have fun and enjoy yourself.

It's always wise to keep your dating prospects to a manageable number. You don't want to become disorganized, mixing up profiles, confusing and tangling interests, hobbies and turnoffs with a myriad of individuals. Is Susie the one who likes combining rocky road with strawberry ice cream, or is she the one who dislikes rainy days? Is it Brad or Steven who would rather curl up with a good mystery novel than watch a Lakers game? I can't remember! Keeping notes is a good way to manage all your contacts; you don't want them thinking that you have a hundred people in your dating queue. Don't give them the wrong impression.

By reading a few emails, it's very common for people to believe that they've found their true soul mate. Every word that person writes in their email strikes a romantic chord, and you can't seem to find a single flaw—they're perfect! Don't build up your expectations too high; you've only just passed the first of many stages. After then initial email exchanges, start with a few friendly phone chats. Get to know the person on an intellectual level; you may soon discover that your potential hook up doesn't quite fit the image you had in your mind, and this could save you a lot of wasted energy. Three weeks is a good amount of time before you're ready for the next level—the first in-person meeting!

Our connection is perfect; we're getting serious. What do I do now?

There comes a time when you ask yourself “is it time to take down my profile?” You've found your prefect match and now you're wondering about your profile floating around in dating wonderland. The essential question is basically this: “is this the only person I want to see?” If the answer is yes, then you should have no reservations about taking down your profile. You may be tempted to wait for the other person to take down their profile first, taking that as a sign to reciprocate their good intentions. It's up to you. The best course would be to just take down your profile when you feel the time is right, and don't even tell the other person; chances are they'll see that you have and will ask you about it.

Don't torture yourself by incessantly checking your newly found sweetheart's profile, crossing your fingers, hoping that it has been taken down for good. Avoid this—if you find yourself constantly performing repetitive profile checks, go do something else; watch TV, read a book, exercise—anything to avoid the urge to spy. If you simply can't stop the nagging urges, there's a simple solution: just ask!

Resist the notion of raising a guilt trip, claiming that since you've taken your profile down, it's high time that they do the same. And don't perform the grade school antic of “if you don't take it down, I don't want to see you anymore”. For starters, simply state that you feel a nice connection with them; ask them if they are ready to date you exclusively. If your potential lover says no, then you'll have to decide if you can live with that person keeping their “options open”, so to speak. Often, confidence is a major turn on—it greatly amplifies your adventurous, outgoing personality; if they don't want to take down their profile just yet, you way want to reply with something like: “Well, that's cool with me, but I don't think you'll find another catch like me anywhere else.”

I'm experiencing dating overload; am I becoming jaded towards online dating?

It's often a good idea to take a hiatus from the online social scene—take breaks for reflection and to replenish your spirit. Scrolling through the profiles of hundreds of potential mates can become tiresome, and you may even feel like giving up the search all together. The best advice is not to give up. The jaded feelings that are swirling around inside your head are—like all things in life—temporary. Go offline and take a break from your computer. Don't check back until a couple weeks have passed; you need time to rejuvenate—you'll be glad you did.

Once you get back into the mix, you'll need to perform an analysis of what went wrong the last time you were sweetheart hunting. What are you doing that needs improvement? Are you asking for dates too soon? Do you have a picture up on your profile?

Like everything in life, excess in anything is never a good idea. Limiting the amount of time you spend online can be very beneficial—long bouts of searching is sure to make your eyes bulge and your head pop. Always give yourself some time to rest your head and eyes. Step away for a few hours—during this window of time new people may have signed up, boosting your excitement and chances of finding that special someone.

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