Online Dating Advice
I regularly review excerpts from random dating profiles (for anonymity). Pointing out dos and don’ts from real profiles can help you improve on your own personal branding.
I love a good rant, but on a #dating profile?
Seeing a rant on a dating profile is wrong in the same way that Denis Leary writing Hallmark greetings would be wrong. The two don’t fit. Believe me, I too think that women with doggie strollers, men with fake tans, and serial daters are great feed for a rabid ranter but save it for friends or blogs. Dating profiles are for attracting suitors. Rants, while hilarious, are not the new sweet nothings.
Online dating without drama or games.
“No drama, no games” is such a popular instruction on online dating profiles that I even see it in the headlines. Does anyone really think that’ll work? Imagine an ad saying, “no cyclists” or “no cooks” or “no bichon frise owners”. I bet every cyclist, cook and little dog owner would read it. By putting “no drama, no games” in your profile, you’re attracting the very people you want to avoid. Lindsay Lohan herself might drunk dial you. Besides, do… read more →
Luv hurts online dating profiles.
A little while ago, I noticed “truly hip” people (the quotation marks used here are symbolic of dripping sarcasm) throwing around the expression I heart rather than I love. Evidently, it was meant to be cute. As a writer, I found it annoying. I’m fine with heart as a symbol for love. After all, who doesn’t like the ads: I (heart symbol) New York. However, to use it instead of love in a sentence is as contrived as putting little… read more →
Dating profile pictures that make me go “oh come on”.
Profile picture of a woman in a bikini and heels. Profile picture of a woman in a bath towel. Profile picture of cleavage. Profile picture of cleavage and a tattoo. Profile picture of a man holding a newborn baby. Profile picture of man with arm around elderly mother. Profile picture of man kissing a litter of puppies. I’m picking up on a theme. I’ve noticed a lot of women who seem to think that the way to a man’s heart… read more →
Why do countless online daters think life is short?
I write ads. I write dating profiles. I write a blog about marketing yourself online so that singles can stand out and compete on dating sites. I’ve seen so many online dating profiles claiming, “life is short” that I’m beginning to think I just might be able to max out my credit cards and get away with it. That upside aside, do online daters have some freakishly high mortality rate that I didn’t know about? For the record, I know… read more →
Weight loss, hair plugs and confessions of online dating singles.
I saw a profile that proudly, and in caps, exclaimed, “SLIM NOW”. Congratulations on achieving your goal but divulging that on a site full of strangers is as risky as saying “hair plug surgery went well” or “completed my 12 steps”. Personal struggles don’t belong on a public site. The people you’re addressing are strangers. They don’t know you and don’t care about you. More importantly, you need to go online fully confident and proud of yourself – without apology.… read more →
Lol, emoticons and online dating.
Laughter is a great way to break ice and disarm. But don’t put “lol” next to everything you write. I like apples lol. I like swimming lol. I like laugh out loud at my own jokes lol. Seriously, is everything you say “laugh out loud” funny? When I see that throughout an email, all I can picture is someone laughing nervously and uncontrollably. It’s not a confident or inviting impression. Use lol sparingly. Also, those animated bopping emoticons? Think twice.… read more →
According to dating sites, singles love life.
It appears that countless singles love life so much; they make a point of saying it on their online dating profiles. It’s usually listed among a person’s various interests such as: I love cycling. I love hiking. I love life. If a day of outdoor activities gets cancelled because of bad weather, I guess it’s good to know that you always have a love of life to fall back on. One woman even said, “most importantly, I love life”. Clearly… read more →
Looking for someone real on online dating sites.
I see “looking for someone real” on a lot of dating profiles. What does that mean? Real as in honest? Real as in down to earth? Real as in you match your profile and you’re not pretending to be someone else? Real as in “no need to inflate”? If a dishonest, egotistical, misrepresenting online dater thinks you’re cute then he or she will contact you whether you like it or not. Think about it. Let’s say a guy who’s a… read more →
Dating profiles with photos of sunsets.
I’ve noticed that a lot single men and single women dating online post pictures of sunsets on their dating profiles. I don’t understand this. You’re on match.com, lavalife, yahoo personals or some other such site. You’re not on National Geographic. As it stands saying, “love sunsets” on your dating profile is no more unique than “love to laugh”. Ask yourself this: have you ever heard someone say, “sunsets suck” or heard someone say that they saw an ugly sunset? You… read more →
