According to an article from MSN addressing the cost of love, a recent survey from Its Just Lunch indicates that the majority of single men will spend more than $100/month on dates and nearly a third will spend more than $150/month. (Women will spend less than men, but may still be spending around $50/month.) Adding the cost of dates to the cost of online dating services can run more than $1,500/year. Although singles are investing so much time and money, many aren’t getting anything in return but frustration.
1. Your Profile Picture Must Be Fantastic.
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”1451687036″ cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515%2B7zx8wOL.jpg” tag=”memofasindad-20″ width=”329″]Nearly 100% of the clients we have surveyed agree that the profile picture is the most important feature to get you noticed and to get responses. A few quick tips for this photo: it should be a close up of your face (and shoulders), which should be facing the camera; you should be the only one in the photo; you should be fully clothed; do NOT take the picture yourself – use the opportunity to show you have at least one friend who can take it for you; get feedback on your photo; people should describe you as “relaxed and happy” in the photo (if they don’t, keep taking pictures until you do).
2. Choose The Right Collateral Photos.
As we said, with online dating, photos are king. Even the best written profile will be hard-pressed to overcome a terrible set of photos. Avoid alcohol in your collateral pictures, and keep your clothes on. However, collateral photos are a fine place to include group pictures (although you should indicate which person you are if you can). Make sure to include at least one full body picture (again, clothed!) in this grouping. 5-10 photos is a good number to shoot, but just focus on the variety that should showcase you doing things you enjoy (hiking, playing with your dog, Frisbee at the park, etc.)
3. Don’t Blow It With Your Screen Name or Headline.
Don’t put in all the hard work only to blow it with your headline. When I was dating online I received an email from a user with the screen name “Pimp Olympics” – that was a non-starter. Try to choose a relatively neutral topic like your favorite food, outdoor activity, etc. Avoid topics that are overtly sexual or suggestive.
4. Show, Don’t Tell.
Did you remember this rule from grade school? Your audience wants to get to know you through examples, not a laundry list of adjectives. Instead of telling the world you’re smart and funny, show them by relating the tale of how you are the winningest player in Jeopardy history and how you opened for Jimmy Falon.
5. Give Him/Her A Call To Action.
The best online daters realize that success in online dating is about marketing yourself. Use the marketing tip of leaving your readers with a call to action. Combining this with Tip #4, you can end your free-write of your profile by describing a date you would love to take her on, or telling him about best hole-in-the-wall donut shop you’d love to try. You can also ask a question after telling about yourself (e.g. Where is the best Indian food you’ve ever eaten in Seattle?) which can lead both to great discussion and segue into a date!
