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Writing A Killer Profile
by Sharon Jacobsen
There's one reason why you'd consider joining and Internet dating or friendship site and that's to meet new people. To do that you'll need to intrigue and interest them. Writing a killer profile, therefore, is the key to successful online relationships.
Think about how you react to profiles you read. If there are just a few lines and a message reading "if you want to know more, message me" how do you react? Does the mystery grab you and compel you to act? Probably not.
When we're looking for people to contact on the Net, we want to know what makes them tick before we send that first message. In our modern rush, rush, rush society, we simply don't have the time to exchange messages with a handful of people we have nothing in common with. If you can establish some kind of common ground with visitors to your profile before they message you, you stand a far greater chance of developing a successful relationship.
By the same token, you don't want to tell too much - something has to be left to talk about in private messages, too. Striking the balance when writing a profile isn't always easy but it can be done. Here's how:
- Mention your primary interests and hobbies. If you love fishing and golf but also enjoy watching a game of cricket and reading Stephen King books, just mention one sport and the books. Too much of the same thing can make your appear dull and by mentioning two very different interests you'll appear interesting to a wider range of people.
- If there's something you loathe, mention it. Do you really want to spend time with somebody whose favorite food is Italian when the very thought of pasta makes you feel ill? Don't make a big deal of it, though.
- Mention what you do for a living but don't drone on about it. If you're a charity fundraiser or a brain surgeon you may well attract others who find the subject fascinating but you don't want to bore those who don't, forcing them to leave your profile before they've finished reading it.
- Make it clear what you're looking for. If you want a no-strings rumble in the sack on a Saturday night, say so. Don't give anybody the impression you're offering anything you can't follow through. While it's ok to be direct if you're looking for a casual relationship, writing "I'm looking for a wife/husband" can make you sound needy, even to those who are looking for the same. Try "Although I'd like to develop a long-term relationship, friendship is equally as important to me" instead.
- Show, don't tell! Saying that you have a great sense of humor means nothing - showing that you have one by using subtle witicisms and quirky descriptions will ultimately say much more.
- Check your profile for spelling mistakes before you post it. Writing it offline in a word processor such as MS Word beforehand is always a good idea. That way you'll be able to use the spell check facility and stand a better chance of posting a profile that reads well. If it's full of typos and misplaced commas, it'll be unnecessarily difficult for visitors to read. And whatever you do, DON'T USE ALL CAPITALS! It's rude (it's considered to be shouting on the Net) and tiresome to read.
When writing your profile, always keep in mind that visitors need enough information to be able to judge the likelihood of their enjoying your company whilst leaving enough open to give them something to wonder about.
Good luck!
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Writing A Killer Profile
