These days, if you’re single, chances are that you’re online dating. After all, why leave it all up to chance when you can take charge of your own destiny, and get the ball rolling?

That being said, slapping any old pictures on your profiles and cracking a few cheesy jokes in your bio isn’t going to cut it. If you want to capture the attention of a potential mate, you’re going to need to get creative and stand out.

After all, a third of people who have online dating profiles have never gone on a date through them. What does this mean?

We’ve all got to step up our game!

Keep reading to discover how to optimize your online dating profile to make more connections, get more dates, and increase your chances of finding the one!

Make a Strong First Impression

First thing’s first, let’s talk about what most people focus on when initially viewing your online dating profile — your picture.

Now look, we know you may love that snap of the giant fish you caught last summer. Or perhaps that hilarious group Halloween costume from a few years ago.

But these vague pics aren’t going to pique anyone’s interest!

So when you’re focusing on optimizing your online dating profile, try to look at it from another person’s point of view. Can they see what you currently look like, in a flattering light? Does your personality shine without coming on too strong?

Place your best photo first to leave potential partners wanting more.

What Is the Perfect Online Dating Profile Photo?

And speaking of photos, let’s dive into the details of how they should look.

Remember that when viewing online profiles, people are judging you with the utmost scrutiny. After all, it’s only human nature.

Attractive attributes like flawless skin, symmetrical faces, and great physiques all give human beings subtle queues that the owner of these attributes is healthy and would produce healthy children. Whether we realize it or not, it’s in our DNA to judge others based on appearance!

So keep this in mind when taking and selecting these photos. For example, an underwater shot of a person scuba diving would show that they’re in good physical shape, they’re brave, and they’re adventurous.

And if you’re sifting through the photos on your Facebook and nothing’s really standing out, don’t stress. We live in a bustling digital age where you can hire people to help you with that!

Use Your Word Count Carefully

Okay, now that you’ve got some killer photos, let’s move onto your bio optimization. Different online dating websites and apps have different word count restrictions, so make sure you check out these differences to see what you’re working with.

For example, if you’re on apps like Tinder or Bumble, you’ll have five hundred characters (or less) to draw someone in. So you better make them count!

The name of the game here is to be clever and genuine. People are attracted to a great sense of humor, but if your whole bio is a joke, then they won’t be able to see any of the real you.

So, how do you achieve this balance? Let’s check out some examples of what to do and what not to do.

Bad Examples

“Hi, I’m Tanya. I’m 43 years old and I’m an accountant. I like shopping and going out to eat. I’m looking for a long-term partner.”

Wow- that was boring. Just listing facts about yourself is never a good idea. Next!

“I may be short, but I make up for it in other ways. Look, ladies- I know I’m not the tallest or best-looking guy in the room, but I PROMISE I’ll show you a good time! Swipe past all these other losers and get to the real deal!”

This bio is attempting humor and failing, is aggressive, and just plain uncomfortable to read.

Good Example

“Spur of the moment trips to London. A hot cup of coffee watching the sunrise. Late nights dancing salsa at my favorite local bar. It’s true, although I’m a respected businessman five days a week, I have an adventurous side too. So tell me… are we having red, white, or rose??”

Showing off your spontaneous and cultured side is a good move. And ending your bio with a question to get the conversation flowing will help to make a smooth transition into a message for your match.

I Got A Match… Now What?

To optimize your total online dating profile experience, you have to think beyond just the pics and bios. How you use these apps and sites to your advantage after you’ve matched with someone, is just as important as getting the match itself.

Here are the key elements to making conversation easy for your match and for yourself.

Spelling and Grammar Matter

Don’t get sloppy once you start chatting with someone. Poor spelling and grammar will make a bad first impression! Make sure that you triple-check to ensure that you’re displaying your best self.

Shared Interests

The only way you’ll discover shared interests is by talking about yours and asking about theirs! Whether it’s work or hobbies, this is a great place to start to find out what you two have in common.

Pick-up Lines Fall Flat

If you want to make a strong start, ask your match a thought-provoking but lighthearted question. Steer clear of cringeworthy pick-up lines, even if you think it might make them laugh.

And Remember, Be Yourself!

What’s the best advice we can give you about optimizing your online dating profile? Be yourself!

Sure, it sounds cheesy, but it truly is the most important part of dating online. If you stay true to your unique personality when you meet up with someone, you can feel confident that they will like you for who you are — not who you’ve been pretending to be.

Need Help?

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? You’re not alone.

The world of online dating can feel like a bit of a maze, especially if you’re new on the scene. And even with the guide above, optimizing your online dating profile can be downright difficult, especially if you’re lacking all the material you need.

Thankfully, you’re in the right place. Contact us anytime and we’d be happy to help you get started!