How to write an online dating profile

Make sure you stand out from the crowd!

Take your time
Take your time writing your profile. Make notes about your personality, and jot down your positive attributes, interests, likes, dislikes, before you start to write something out properly.

Choosing a username
Your username is the first thing people see about you, so if you're stuck for choosing a username, think about your interests, where you live or who you are. If you like cycling, try keencyclist. If that's taken then you could add your location, NYCkeencyclist, or maybe keen-cyclist, keencyclist2005, etc.

Photo Personals
Include a recent photo of yourself. Personal ads accompanied by a photo, will attract more than five times the number of replies!

Avoid acronyms and abbreviations
Acronyms and abbreviations are OK in newspaper ads where line space is at a premium. Online, however, you're not restricted. So avoid things like GSOH, SWF, DWM, etc. Why confuse people? If you do have a GSOH (good sense of humour) it would be better to show that in your profile.

Catch line
That all important catch line can be tricky to write. If you are having a problem coming up with a something why not take a clue from music, poetry or literature? A lyric snippet may express just what you want. But do also check out other member's profiles as well, and see what they use for catch lines.

Update Profile Regularly
Keep your profile up to date. Keep changing it a little. Many sites will state when your profile was last updated and allow members to search those by most recently updated. Other members will be more likely to look at your profile.

Check your spelling
Do check spelling before you post your profile!

Avoid negativity
Cannot be said enough! Emphasize the positive things about yourself in your profile.

Be honest
There's little point in writing about the person you'd like to be. Sooner or later, your potential partner will figure out there's something wrong.

Men and Women
For Men: Avoid stating what type of person you want. Instead describe the kind of person you are, and let those reading your profile decide if they're compatible.

For Women: It's ok to state the type of person you want to meet, because there are more men searching for women! Having said that, remember your chances of meeting someone wonderful increase if your criteria are not too restrictive!

For Both: Don't have a list of characteristics that your potential partner must have, rather have a list of those that they should not have. Selection this way round will increase the number of potential partners but without the red flags!