The dating scene can be rough for any man out there. Considering how modernized dating is today, especially with online dating picking up in popularity, people are much more cautious now with their potential partners. To truly make an impression in the online dating world, it will all start with knowing how to write a dating profile first and foremost.
If you’re serious about your online dating life and want to get it right on the first few tries, here’s our guide to writing a dating profile that is sure to attract attention.
The Basics: What Do Women Want?
Ladies want more than meets the eye; they want to find interesting people who stand out from the pack. These days, women’s tastes have become much more varied when it comes to what they look for in men. You can be the most attractive guy out there, but it won’t account for anything if you suffer from a lack of substance and personality.
Before you learn how to write a dating profile, it will be imperative for you to have a better understanding of who you’re looking for. If you’re into dating women, then it will be worth taking note that they aren’t actually all that difficult to please, contrary to popular belief. That isn’t to say that ladies only need the bare minimum to be wooed, though. Though tastes can vary, there are certain traits that are generally favored in potential partners that women tend to look for.
A Sense Of Humor
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A study published in the Evolution and Human Behavior journal revealed that humor is seen to be an attractive quality in a man. Women love a partner who can make them laugh because, according to the study, they view it as a sign of intelligence. With that said, intelligence is considered to be a trait that is not only attractive, but is also a great foundation for building connections with people, whether that be in a social, professional, or even romantic sense.
Independence
A woman always looks for an independent man. One can say that any man who can stand on his own two feet is attractive by default. If you’re a decisive person and know how to defend your values, then consider yourself a good catch. After all, nobody wants to be with someone who can’t think or live for himself.
Sociability
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It’s no secret that women often treat their friends as second family, so it’s natural that they’d want their man to be adept at socializing with their friends. Show her your sociable side, especially if you’re serious about your relationship. There’s no doubt that her friends will want to get to know you better if you’re in it for the long haul as well. Go out of your way to befriend the people in her life and you’re sure to be deemed a definite keeper in her book.
Financial Stability
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Unless a woman specifies that she’s looking for a fling or something casual, your financial stability might be something she will consider when starting a relationship with you. This doesn’t necessarily mean you must be rich; most women expect you to at least have good money management. Having a job that earns you decent pay, no impulse buying, and good credit scores are all significant factors that women may consider in an ideal partner. Financial stability is a sign of independence too, so being able to manage yourself and your money responsibly will giver her a better sense of assurance in choosing you.
How To Write A Dating Profile: Do’s And Don’ts
Now that you have a clearer idea of what women look for in a partner, you can go about creating your online dating profile. Writing a dating profile varies among people; what works for you won’t always work for another guy. That said, there are some rules of thumb to take note of as you write your dating profile. Consider these rules so you won’t send mixed messages to any interested parties reading your online profile.
Do’s
DO post actual pictures of yourself.
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A woman looking for a date wants to be sure that they’re dating an actual person, not a faceless icon. Make sure that the photos are fairly recent as well. You wouldn’t want a woman to think you’re catfishing her by posting an old picture from years ago or even worse, a picture of someone else.
DO be respectful.
When writing a dating profile, don’t go for the bad boy stereotype. Some women might like that kind of guy, but the safest route is to avoid presenting yourself in a negative light. Modern women know what they want, and it’s highly unlikely that they’re out looking for disrespectful slobs. Be polite and focus on your good points. When you show respect, you will be respected too.
DO be clear about what you’re looking for.
Be upfront about why you’re even in the dating pool in the first place. Are you here for something casual, or do you want something a little more serious and longterm? It can be beneficial to let potential dates know what you’re looking for right off the bat, as this can help avoid any misunderstandings and will put both of you on the same page right away.
DO share what brings you joy.
This part of your dating profile doesn’t have to be the most personal of sections, but it can help to show prospective dates just what makes you tick as a person. Show, don’t tell. Instead of writing “I play basketball,” go for “staying active is one of my utmost priorities.” When you show off your best assets, don’t limit yourself to simply putting your physique on display. Exhibit your personality to really help make your dating profile stand out more. By showing off what you’re passionate about, you’re letting people know that there’s more to you than just a handsome face and ripped body.
Don’ts
DON’T use a group shot as your display picture.
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In a typical dating scenario, you would want to introduce your social circle of friends. However, remember that this is your dating profile, not your friends’. Group photos will only confuse any potential partner as they won’t know which person is you. Always make sure that the first photo a woman sees is of a clear shot of your own face.
DON’T be lazy.
Online dating is about speed and efficiency. Women don’t have time to ask too many questions when they first come across your profile unless they’re really interested in you. They want to know the important details, stat. What do you like and dislike? What makes you interesting and makes you stand out? Be as detailed yet concise as possible to maintain that interest.
DON’T lie about yourself.
The last thing you want is to feed your date with false information about yourself. You want people to get to know the real you, not a fabricated persona that doesn’t deliver in real life. Being dishonest in your dating profile is as good as catfishing, so ditch the lies and show them exactly what they’re in for when they match with your profile.
DON’T make yourself unavailable.
If you think you can play hard to get, think again. Don’t make yourself seem unavailable or uninterested in a relationship. You’re on a dating app, so of course you’re interested. We’re all adults here, so for a lot of us, playing games can be more of a chore than a form of entertainment at this point. You can look around in the world of online dating for something casual, but don’t market yourself as off-limits. Why else would you be on the dating scene if not to put yourself out there?
Types Of Guys On A Dating Site (And How To Avoid Being One)
One thing you don’t want is to come across as sounding like everyone else when creating your dating profile. The key is to make your dating profile simple yet unique to you. It helps to know some of the common stereotypes you might find on a dating app or site, and how to avoid sounding like them.
The Borefest
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This is the kind of guy that only lists the most basic details about himself, making him sound like any average Joe off the street. Their self-introductions are just stating the plain facts, without going into any further details about themselves.
The easiest way to prevent your profile from sounding too boring is to be specific. If you’re someone who loves to travel, talk about which countries you like to visit or your preferred tourist destinations and activities. Write down anything else that specifies what you like. Being too general about your passions won’t make you all that intriguing and might not nab anyone’s attention — or hold it, for that matter.
The (Annoying) Comedian
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Guys like these love to think they’re hilarious, but in actuality, their humor isn’t really all that amusing. These sort of guys have profiles that are full of bad dad jokes and cliché phrases that reveal their cheesy sense of humor. They often say they like to just have a laugh and don’t take the world too seriously. However, in reality, their profile might make others roll their eyes rather than laugh out loud.
Remember the “show, not tell” rule? Don’t write that you’re “funny” and “love making people laugh.” You’ll only set yourself up for failure that way. A truly funny guy makes people laugh without being obvious about it. Share some quirky facts about yourself or use pictures that showcase your unique hobbies to create the impression that you’re a witty guy who loves to have fun. However, keep in mind that humor is subjective, so it might help to run your profile through a third party to ensure you’re not crossing any sensitive boundaries.
The Romanticist
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The profile of this kind of guy often talks about how he’s sensitive and in touch with his emotions. He quotes classic literature, romance films, or lyrics from love songs. His language tends to be very dramatic and flowery, to the point that it may be too much and overdone.
You don’t have to boast about how romantic you are to win the hearts of potential dates. There’s no problem in wearing your heart on your sleeve, but be sure not to be obnoxious about it. When you write your dating profile, try not to sound like an overbearing romantic. Doing so has the potential to make you sound desperate, which could turn women away instead of attract them. Show your caring side instead; women will find that a lot more endearing than your wannabe casanova persona.
The Show-Off
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This guy writes nothing, says nothing, and does nothing except try really hard to look cool. His profile picture is more often than not a topless mirror selfie showing his abs or a straight-faced selfie in an attempt to look as suave as possible. Everything about this kind of dating profile spells “player,” which can harm your image more than help it. You don’t want others to think you have a reputation of stringing people along or that you’re here to break some hearts.
Do away with the posed selfies and stick to more genuine — even candid — photographs. Don’t sell yourself like a piece of meat if you’re even the least bit serious about finding love. It’s okay to show off your best features here and there, but as with many things, too much of it won’t be a good thing.
The Excessive Intellectual
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This sort of guy says he’s into the classics and can be a purist when it comes to the arts. His ideal type is someone who’s at the “same level of intellect” and shares the same views as he does. This type of dating profile can give off an air of entitlement or elitism, which is something you should avoid if you’re looking to charm prospective dates.
Moreover, a guy like this may have the tendency to sound very political, which in itself can be a touchy subject in dating. When learning how to write a dating profile that will entice possible dates rather than drive them away, it will be important to remain mindful about attaching sensitive matters to your dating bio. If you think a certain topic is too controversial, then don’t risk it. Subject matters such as politics and religion can be too heavy at times. They’re definitely not first date material either, so put off discussing much deeper topics like these until you meet in person or when you’ve reached a more comfortable level with the other person.
Navigating the minefield that is modern dating isn’t going to be easy, but it does help to know how to prepare for it. It all starts with learning how to write a dating profile that shows who you are as a potential partner. Just remember to be yourself and don’t try too hard to impress. The right person will find you eventually, so keep on looking for that special someone out there.
For additional tips on how to act around a date — whether you’re courting them or preparing for your first night out — check out our article on dating etiquette to avoid making any wrong moves. Good luck!
