Creating a Profile - and Profile Picture

Don’t write a haphazard profile and using a randomly selected photo. It is a mistake not to submit a photo with your profile. There are men out there who never contact a woman they cannot see. When you don’t include a photo, most people assume you have something to hide. According to sites people who post photos get ten times more contacts than those that don’t. Use a recent photo and one that flatters you. If you can, have a professional take the photo. Don’t post sleazy photo of yourself unless you’re looking for a sleazy relationship! Choose a nice, natural photo of yourself don’t use one that includes other people. The main photo should be a “head and shoulders” one - a close up. If the site allows more than one photo, then you can be more adventurous include, full length shots, pets, kids, and so on.

Tips on Choosing Your Online Photo:

• If you don’t have any suitable recent photos, arrange to go out with friends. Relax and have fun. Get your friends to take lots of photos of you. Hopefully, you’ll get at least one that you’re happy to post.

• If you have a photo of yourself in a social environment, use that one. It will give a better impression than one of you seated on your sofa at home.

• Don’t post photos of yourself looking unhappy, drunk, hung-over, lonely, or on a bad hair day!

• Avoid expensive accessories for your photo. It sends a high maintenance signal.

• If you want to post multiple photos, make sure that they’re varied and interesting.

• Avoid multiple photos taken at the same time. Don’t use it as an opportunity to demonstrate in six different ways how attractive you are. It should be an opportunity to convey the fact that you’ve got an interesting life.

• It’s OK to change your photo from time to time if you come up with better ones, or if they get more than a year old.

• Even if a photo is a professional one make it look casual. Never wear high fashion garments or accessories.

Dating sites often give guidelines for posting photos. For example, Yahoo personal says, Do not post pictures if:

• You are not central in the photo.
• The picture is off focus/hazy.
• Does not convey an image of the “true you.”
• Has too many people.
• The picture is old not current.

One must post photos that: have a smile, show your eyes clearly, and represent in no uncertain terms you as you are. The photograph must allow your personality to shine through.

Never use photos where you are dressed in skimpy clothes or are heavily made up—ones that make you look like a bimbo (unless that is what you are). Coming through as sexy with oomph is not going to get you what you desire.

A frequent online dating blunder is negativity---feeling that the whole exercise of online dating is a futile effort. Believe me, nine out of ten things don’t work the first few weeks or months—it may even take a year.

Never be discouraged and give up—hope, patience, and persistence are what will get you to your goal. Pause a few days and take a look at “what needs correction” ---read through successful profiles and compare them to yours. Make changes in your profile as well as criteria of the “man” perhaps your list of musts is too stringent. Be flexible and you will meet many who may come up to your expectations.

Keep your mind open and have a positive attitude. Be friendly and persistent and you may find that special person who is waiting for you.