Online profiles: First impressions are make or break
Millions of people are dating online, but some of their profiles are enough to make potential dates cringe. So The Salt Lake Tribune asked Judy Silverstein, who co-wrote Online Dating for Dummies with her husband, Michael Lasky, for advice on writing an online profile.
First, it’s important to be honest and try to show people how you really are, she says. Mistakes with with photos and user names can be deadly.
It’s better to be unoriginal than suggestive, but don’t use your full name. “Have a screen name that gives some insight into your style, your personality, your interests.”
The article goes on to list several ingredients that can make or break online profiles including those ever common macho lady killer photos or the women’s glamour shots that would only resemble them in a glamour shots salon.
What are some of the deal breakers you’ve found in online personal ads?
For me it was always the photo - the guy didn’t have to be great looking, but he did need to have a photo without a dead fish or deer. I was looking for a potential mate, not a hunting or fishing partner.
You?
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POSTED IN: Advice, Answer This, Online Personals
7 opinions for Online profiles: First impressions are make or break
Angela
Apr 12, 2006 at 9:11 am
Only a few lines for all profile description areas, which means they didn’t put time into it, and it is half assed.
Mispellings all over the profile. I can forgive a few, but several, nope.
No picture…I’d offer pictures and I wanted to same in returne.
Pictures of them by a waterfall or something where they looked tiny and you couldn’t tell what they looked like at all.
Finding out the pic is a year old or over, what are they hiding?
Grins
Apr 12, 2006 at 3:07 pm
The photo is huge. I even dedicated a thread to sharing one’s photo online: http://grinsnlaughter.blogspot.com/2004/12/guide-to-photo-sharing-for-men.html In addition, a profile that includes things like “Lonely” or “Bitter Liars Need Not Apply” get quickly passed over.
Enjoyed your blog, I’m adding you to my blogroll.
Matt
Apr 14, 2006 at 4:31 am
Dating keywords and phrases: “bubbly”. “a bit shy at first” and “I’m equally happy in a nightclub or a quiet night in with a bottle of wine”… run a mile.
Angela
Apr 14, 2006 at 7:21 am
Oh yeah, and the ones with profile titles that are pessimistic “This is getting ridiculous” “Are there any good ladies left (or out there)?” I mean come on, that really really speaks ‘Please read my profile.’ More like I’m desparate so there is no telling how I will treat you.
Gayla McCord
Apr 14, 2006 at 11:52 am
*laughing* I loved Grins assessment of the do’s and don’ts of photos.
Guys just don’t realize how unimportant their car, their fish, their deer, their machoism is to us.
Women want to get up close and personal, show us what we are going to see when we are *that close*
And always always have a recent photo on hand. No one who even thinks of dating online should be caught without one.
Angela
Apr 14, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Agreed gayla. I learned that very soon after starting internet dating *when it was free*. Yes, there was a time, way back when that internet personals were free. :O
I believe the pics didn’t really come into play till places like matchmaker, match.com etc caught on to the internet dating market. Then I knew I need a good pic for a profile. Even when it was still free I’d ask for pictures and have one or two of mine to share.
pheromone
Oct 24, 2006 at 11:46 pm
free advice how to attract women…
…
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