If you've ever written a dating profile you know how difficult it can be. You're just describing yourself, how hard can it be, right? You know who you are, you know what you like and you know what makes you fantastic and that's just what you're going to put in your dating profile. Wrong. If you were to write everything about you, it would take a lifetime. Even couples who have been together for decades still learn new things about each other every day. So what information should you put in to attract that suitable mate and what information should you leave out in order to not make perfectly great people move onto the next profile?
With all of the dating sites and dating profiles out in the internet universe, no one wants to sit there and read the thousands of words that you've written about yourself. There's more profiles to see besides yours. Chances are the person usually takes less than a minute to decide if they are going to contact you or not. If the profile is too long, they'll probably move on and/or just consider you long winded. If it's too short, they'll assume you don't have much to say and that you're boring. Keep your profile around 250 to 300 words. It's long enough to give relevant information, but short enough to keep someone's interest. Just remember that it's best to leave something to the imagination.
Think about what characteristics in a mate are the most important to you. Include the basic requirements. If you're 25 and not willing to date a sixty year old, you should put an age range. If you're a man seeking a female, that's obviously important as well. Religion, whether it matters to you if the person drinks or smokes, and location are also important tidbits of information to throw in.
Don't dictate what you want and don't want. State what characteristics you are and aren't looking for, but do it in a way that doesn't come off harsh, demanding and high maintenance. For example, don't make a giant list of what you do and don't like in a mate. It's going to come across that if the person doesn't match your exact description, they should take a walk off a cliff before even considering contacting you.
Show some humor, but avoid the stupid and corny jokes or sounding too hard on yourself. For example, a statement such as “I make a mean cheesecake. I learned to perfect it after I burned the first few I tried to make.” This statement is an example of something you're good at, it shows that you have determination, that you don't think you're perfect and that you have a sense of humor. Not bad for two simple sentences.
Do not put in information about your baggage. “My daddy abandoned me,” “My ex boyfriend cheated on me” and “My ex husband decided he wanted to be a woman” should not be information listed. You never see someone put in their dating profile “I really love someone with baggage. As a matter of fact, I have a full and complete set of my own!” No one goes into dating or a relationship hoping that something is going to go wrong. Come off positive and not bitter. Every person is not the same and you shouldn't treat them as such.
Put in accomplishments that you are proud of without sounding like you are the greatest person on the planet, even if you think you are. Phrases such as “I ran a 5k marathon last year and had such a great time” or “I volunteer at a local animal shelter in my spare time” are examples of positive tidbits of information that describe how you are and what you do without you coming off arrogant.
There is zero point in lying in a dating profile. If you stated that you were 5'5, but you're really 6'0 or you put in your profile that you've traveled to exotic locations, when you really meant that you went to the local zoo, the person that you meet up with will figure it out whether it be immediately or somewhere down the road.. No one wants to date a liar so if you come right out of the gate with a bunch of lies, it doesn't bode very well for your character. Be proud of exactly who you are and be honest up front. Someone should want to get to know you for who you are, not who they think you are.
Information about your pets, if you have any, is actually important to put into your profile. Some people just really hate a certain type of animal or are even allergic and aren't willing or just can't take allergy medication. If you are a person who has three cats, chances are you're not going to want someone contacting you that despises cats. Make a simple statement in your profile saying how many pets you have and leave it at that.
Never, ever put where you work, what places you live near or any places that you frequent. Your picture is on your profile so the person already knows what you look like. The last thing anyone needs in their life is a stalker.
You want to include basic information about yourself, but you have no idea where to start. What are your most important hobbies? Do you have any children? What is your nationality? Think about the main layer of who you are and that's what you should include.
Have some fun with your dating profile. It should be taken with a good amount of seriousness, but not so much that you sound horribly uptight and plain. Don't forget that your dating profile isn't set in stone, you can always go back and change the information that's included.
