They should also be clear photos that make it easy to tell which person is you. Large group photos and blurry photos may lead people to pass you by. One mistake a lot of people make is not taking advantage of the tools the app provides.

For instance, if the dating site you're on allows you to have seven photos, then provide seven photos. If the app provides the option to verify your photos, then take advantage of it. The key is that you make use of every tool they provide.

The more effort you put into your online dating profile to show others you're available and interested, the more responses you will likely receive.

Try to make your profile interesting by giving examples when talking about things you enjoy. For instance, instead of saying that you enjoy reading, tell readers your favorite book. Or, if you like hiking, tell them your favorite trail.

The more you go into detail, the more likely a person might get excited and think "they're perfect for me. You can even provide details of the type of person you are looking for or the types of dating experiences you might enjoy. Even though details are important, it's still smart to be somewhat selective about the information you choose to share. When it comes to writing a dating profile, a short paragraph or two is enough. You should give an overview of who you are, but not tell your entire life story all at once.

Remember, you want to give people a reason to message you and get to know you, and there's something fun about maintaining a little bit of mystery! Additionally, make sure your profile isn't too long and that you stay upbeat and positive. Providing lots of don'ts or information about what you don't like is a turnoff for many people—even when they agree with you.

One of the best things you can do with your dating profile is to provide ways for people to start a conversation with you. For instance, once you are matched with someone, they are going to view your profile and, if you're interested, try to think of something to say when they reach out. Consequently, you want to be sure your profile provides enough information that they could ask you a question about something in it.

Or, if you want, include a conversation starter. Apps such as Hinge provide prompts for you to fill out with details of yourself, many with the implication of starting a conversation. When it comes to online dating, it can be tempting to stretch the truth a bit in order to present yourself in the best possible light. But, the majority of people prefer honesty over perfection. So, make a concerted effort to be as open and honest as you can. After all, you are just setting yourself up for unneeded stress and disappointment if you try to come off as someone you're not.

While it's natural to want to be accepted, it's more important that you aren't trying to fit yourself into some mold that you think others would want. Remember, it's the little oddball things that make you interesting! So, if you have watched every Hallmark Christmas movie ever made, admit it. Or, if you really love puns, share that too. Of course, you don't have to share every oddball thing there is, but provide just enough to show that you are not just another online dater.

At first, it can seem overwhelming to create an online dating profile. But the truth is, you just need to follow a few simple rules: Be honest, be yourself, and be specific. If you follow those guidelines and couple the information with some solid photographs, you will be fielding matches in no time.

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert. By Sherri Gordon. Sherri Gordon. Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert. Learn about our editorial process. Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article.

Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. Andrea Rice. Fact checked by Andrea Rice. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Davis also recommends including a full-body photo.

Add images that capture what you're about, whether it's running 5Ks or taking cooking classes. Not only do these kinds of photos communicate who you are, especially when you're short on space for words, they serve as potential conversation starters. It's natural that you'll have a few stunning photos with friends, but Davis suggests keeping them to a minimum on your profile.

If you're the selfie queen, have at it—this isn't about fitting a cookie-cutter mold, it's about presenting the best version of you. One smart tactic is making sure the selfies are unique enough to still communicate something about yourself, like you on the summit of your favorite hike. When you've only got a few sentences' worth of space, every little bit counts. She recommends stringing together a bunch of descriptors, like "Ballet dancer.

Lover of dogs," and so forth. That's not to say you have to use up all the space you've got—if you think a few descriptors sum you up perfectly, that's cool, too. After a friend of mine updated her Hinge profile to mention that she can beat anyone at Connect Four, her matches and messages skyrocketed. If you're looking for something serious, it can still help to add some descriptors so people can better determine whether you have something substantial in common. You can imply a disclaimer like "Don't message me if you just want to hook up" without actually saying it.

First of all, sign up for a site that gives you more space to explain who you are and what you want, then emphasize what that is. After Davis and her team added details to the client's profile about exactly how she led her life in a cultured way and how she wanted to share that with someone, her matches improved.

Showing that you want to experience certain things together doesn't just help alert someone to the fact that they may be right for you, it sends signals that deter people who aren't. Those sections asking you to describe yourself can be utterly baffling. Instead of resorting to statements like, "I don't really know what to write here" or "I like to travel," highlight what makes you different from everyone else.

When talking about yourself, it can help to think of stories rather than facts. So instead of saying you love to travel, you can say something about how you just got back from a trip to Thailand and are hoping to make it to Iceland in the new year. When it comes to describing your ideal partner , don't get tunnel vision in an effort to be specific. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Video Spring Challenge Workouts Columnists Newsletter Signup. THE PHOTOS.

Whether online dating is the bane of your existence or fills you with buoyant hope, it's smart to craft the most stellar profile possible. Since that's easier said than done, we went to Laurie Davis, founder of the online dating concierge service eFlirt and author of Love at First Click , for her tips on how to put your best digital foot forward. Those souped-up personality snapshots have resulted in nearly marriages and engagements, and even a few dozen babies!

Here, Davis offers advice that applies to pretty much every dating service, whether you're all about Match. com, more partial to Hinge, or a fan of something else entirely. Choosing the right pictures is the first step, especially if you're using an app like Tinder that barely has room for a summary. Good to keep in mind based on who you're interested in! Now, four pieces of picture advice. That gives you enough room to diversify without entering photo overload territory.

First, consider opening with a few clear face shots where you're not far away, wearing sunglasses, or doing anything else that makes it hard for someone to see what you look like. Davis also recommends including a full-body photo. Add images that capture what you're about, whether it's running 5Ks or taking cooking classes. Not only do these kinds of photos communicate who you are, especially when you're short on space for words, they serve as potential conversation starters.

It's natural that you'll have a few stunning photos with friends, but Davis suggests keeping them to a minimum on your profile. If you're the selfie queen, have at it—this isn't about fitting a cookie-cutter mold, it's about presenting the best version of you.

One smart tactic is making sure the selfies are unique enough to still communicate something about yourself, like you on the summit of your favorite hike.

When you've only got a few sentences' worth of space, every little bit counts. She recommends stringing together a bunch of descriptors, like "Ballet dancer. Lover of dogs," and so forth. That's not to say you have to use up all the space you've got—if you think a few descriptors sum you up perfectly, that's cool, too. After a friend of mine updated her Hinge profile to mention that she can beat anyone at Connect Four, her matches and messages skyrocketed.

If you're looking for something serious, it can still help to add some descriptors so people can better determine whether you have something substantial in common. You can imply a disclaimer like "Don't message me if you just want to hook up" without actually saying it.

First of all, sign up for a site that gives you more space to explain who you are and what you want, then emphasize what that is. After Davis and her team added details to the client's profile about exactly how she led her life in a cultured way and how she wanted to share that with someone, her matches improved. Showing that you want to experience certain things together doesn't just help alert someone to the fact that they may be right for you, it sends signals that deter people who aren't. Those sections asking you to describe yourself can be utterly baffling.

Instead of resorting to statements like, "I don't really know what to write here" or "I like to travel," highlight what makes you different from everyone else. When talking about yourself, it can help to think of stories rather than facts. So instead of saying you love to travel, you can say something about how you just got back from a trip to Thailand and are hoping to make it to Iceland in the new year. When it comes to describing your ideal partner , don't get tunnel vision in an effort to be specific.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

Video Spring Challenge Workouts Columnists Newsletter Signup. THE PHOTOS. Christin Rose. Consider using only one selfie, if any at all. Stay positive while being specific about what you're looking for. Zahra Barnes joined SELF in November , working on the Culture and Health teams before eventually becoming Executive Editor.

She has spent her career as a reporter and editor covering people's lives with a focus on wellness. Zahra specializes in sexual, reproductive, and mental health, all with the goal of destigmatizing Read more. Topics dating dating app online dating. Our sexual wellness collection with JimmyJane keeps growing. How you end a conversation can be just as important as how you start it. How Do I Get My Boss to Take My Horrible Migraines Seriously?

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The part of the dating profile writing that everyone dreads the most is the fact that you have to write about yourself. Knowing how to describe yourself on a dating app is a tall task. But the truth is that no one expects you to be perfect. One mistake a lot of people make is not taking advantage of the tools the app provides. Remember, it is YOUR profile, and as long as it showcases who you are in the right light, you have nothing to worry about. Video Spring Challenge Workouts Columnists Newsletter Signup.

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