Online Dating and LinkedIn Profile Writing Advice
I regularly critique excerpts from random dating and LinkedIn profiles (for anonymity). By pointing out dos and don'ts from actual profiles, you too can look at your own with a critical eye and improve on your personal branding.
The biggest online dating lie (and how to avoid it).
I once had a client who went on a date with a man she met online. By the date’s end, she realized he wasn’t quite her style. Still, he phoned a few times afterward and sent her some text messages to see when they’d get together again. This annoyed her. “I thought I was clear that I wasn’t interested”, she said. “What do you mean by clear?” I asked. “Our values were obviously different”, she replied. Note that she used the… read more →
Wearing red on your dating profile: stop, go or bull?
With Valentine’s Day just behind us, the colour red gained momentum. So did all the myths surrounding it. The most unusual one is that which suggests women who wear red on their dating profiles are more likely to attract men. Let’s not forget that red also attracts bulls. It’s also the color of blood, dominance, power, anger, not to mention stop signs. It’s been said that red is the colour of love and passion. Actually, closer to the truth is… read more →
Yeah, time for Valentine’s Day ads and online dating tips!
I’m both a copywriter and an online dating profile writer. So it should come as no surprise that Valentine’s Day is one of my year’s favorites. Is it the flowers? Not really. The chocolates? They’re okay but… Is it the love? Well, with the exception of gnats like Howard Stern, who doesn’t love love? Still, what really makes Valentine’s Day attractive are all best and worst ads (always the copywriter). Here are some of my favorites and least favorites. Since, you’re… read more →
Online dating safety tips for women that every man needs to know.
I had a colleague once who was dating online. He had met a woman a couple of times for coffee, then arranged to go on a real date to a concert. He suggested they take his car. She countered that she’d prefer to take separate cars and meet there. He was so insulted. To his mind she was treating him like a criminal. As far as he was concerned, if she didn’t trust him then he’d have nothing to with… read more →
How to improve your dating profile with just one word.
The dating profile featured today has a profile writing mistake that I see frequently. Usually, it’s an approach that men fall into, but it’s clearly still applicable to both single men and women. The best way to avoid profile writing mistakes is to hire me even if it’s just for a consultation. However, if you can’t, then I hope that regularly featuring excerpts followed by insights will help. From the dating profile of a 28-year old woman. Fun, girly girl,… read more →
When bad dating profiles provide a good sleep.
There’s really nothing like an online dating profile that makes you sleepy. I found one today on Plenty of Fish that had a very common – and very boring – online dating profile writing mistake. Here’s an excerpt from it. Try to stay awake for the critique that follows. If you can’t hire me to help you write your online dating profile, then hopefully the insights here will help you when it comes time for you to write your own.… read more →
First dates and serial killers. An online dating tip every man needs to know.
I read a number of online dating profiles for men today on Plenty of Fish. There’s a section that let’s you throw ideas around for a first date. A lot of the dating profiles talked about meeting for coffee. However, a good number suggested activities like heading out on a scenic motorcycle ride or a hike on some nearby mountain. On one hand, I think it’s commendable for a guy to think of something other than the typical coffee interview. On the… read more →
Online dating: exposing the myth of evolution.
A recently divorced friend of mine began online dating. The second her photos were approved she received emails from two men. One said “Wow” in the subject line, followed by “I like your photo, want to chat?” in the body copy. The other one said, “Love your photo” in the subject line, followed by “Write me back” in the body copy. My friend is in her mid-40s, as were these two men. She’s a high-level executive, as were these two… read more →
Online dating profiles by men that turn women off instantly.
I was scanning a number of online dating profiles today written by men who, according to them, had at least a measure of class. Below you’ll find a brief introduction from me, followed by some the highlights: After spending several lines addressing what a gentleman he is, this 42-year old man signed off with: I want to make clear that chemistry matters. I had a sexless marriage for years and I want to meet someone who isn’t just looking for… read more →
Anyone still looking for Waldo? ‘Cause I think he’s online dating.
I just finished reading a number of online dating profiles that were so generic not one stood out. As an ad writer whose purpose is to make people get noticed, this prompted me to provide the following online dating profile writing tip: If you want to get noticed in the competitive environment of online dating, then you need to be different from everyone else. Contrary to the social norms by which we usually abide, online dating requires that you stand… read more →
