Looking to meet someone new? If you’ve exhausted all avenues amongst friends and acquaintances, then you might be considering online dating – or perhaps you’ve even tried it already. Now a popular way of sorting the wheat from the chaff and deciding quickly and effortlessly who you’re attracted to and then, during the first date, who might be worth a little more of your time, dating apps are arguably one of the most effective matchmakers out there. Let’s face it, there are only so many disappointing and poorly matched ‘friends of friends’ you can sit through dinner with before you begin to feel at the end of your tether.
Whilst it might look easy, there’s a lot more to online dating than meets the eye, and with potential suitors being asked to make a decision about you after no more than a quick glance at your profile, the photo and tagline you use to introduce could be more important than you think. Think about it, it goes both ways – after all, how long do you spend on any one profile before swiping on across to the next?
Whilst many people enjoy dating success after a quick dabble with the likes of Bumble or via a dating agency, for others, romance just doesn’t seem to be on the cards – but a quick profile tweak here and a photo upload there could make all the difference when it comes to meeting Mr. or Mrs. Right.
Read on to find out exactly what it takes to create a winning profile – and one that will get you all the super-likes you could wish for.
Incomplete profile
Neglected to fill in your personal details? Then don’t expect to get many matches. On dating apps and websites, people view transparency as a sign of trustworthiness – and if you’re not willing to share much about yourself, then they may assume you have something to hide. You might appear unwilling to communicate, or worse still, even fake – so take time to fill in each section with at least the bare minimum.
The more you share, the more of a feel for your personality others can get – which in the long-run, means less time wasted on dates with people you have nothing in common with. Whilst it might be daunting to put yourself out there, it can be completely worth it if it results in a good match.
Unappealing profile
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and fill in your profile – but before you do, take some time to consider what kind of image you’d like to give off. You should be as honest as possible about who you are – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t showcase your best bits, and some well-chosen words and a good photo can make all the difference, as Amy Olson from TryPair.com, a leading online dating magazine, points out.
“Choose a picture that is realistic and up to date and avoid any with ex-partners or children in them to start with,” she told us. “Try to stay away from group or friend shots, too, as if there’s any confusion about which one you are, you could be in for an embarrassing or disappointing date! If you’re looking for like-minded people, then be sure to share your hobbies and interests, and write in a style that communicates your sense of humour or your passion for a certain cause – whatever it is that best reflects the real you. Avoid being cocky and try to be as interesting as possible. You’ll be getting more dates in no time, and they’ll be better quality, too.”
Incredible profile
Our biggest piece of advice? Don’t lie! Whilst it might be tempting to ham it up and make yourself sound like the person you’ve always wanted to be, dishonesty gets you nowhere, and the truth will soon come out. Pretending to be something you’re not will only put you on the backfoot with dates, forcing you to continue the web of lies or face an embarrassing confession further down the line.
Forget about what you could be and focus on the best bits of who you already are. If you’ve been looking for love for a while already, then it can be easy to give up hope – but in reality, you’re already someone’s ideal date, just the way you are.
