Dear Boomers: Would you rather bake or sizzle?

I’m an ad writer. I’m also the only online dating profile writer to combine ad techniques and conversational writing so that singles stand out.  This is my dating blog. It’s the only one you’ll find about men, women and marketing.

A friend of mine is an actress. She’s older and, by that, I mean she’s in her late 50’s – far from elderly.

Still, whenever she’s cast as a grandmother, the scene inevitably shows her baking cookies or giggling over some “naughty” joke and in some adolescent way.

Her male counterparts don’t fare any better. The last guy she worked with was a grandfather in his early 60’s who was teaching his grandson to fish.

Could the stereotypes get any more outdated?

In this day and age, a man in his 60’s would probably be teaching his grandson how to kick butt with Xbox.

As for a woman in her late 50’s? Do you really think that a female who grew up in the era of burning bras, free love and dropping acid, would be giggling over some juvenile sexual innuendos, let alone baking oatmeal cookies? Personally, when I see people like Michelle Pfeiffer (pictured here), I think they’re just way too hot for baking.  As such, this week’s blog celebrates our beloved boomers.

Skydiving, socializing and seniors.

Discovery Fit and Health discusses some of the most popular activities among seniors – skydiving being one of them. That’s a pretty big jump from baking cookies.

Dating – listed as another favorite activity – was accompanied by the photo featured here, which is hilarious. In the words of that generation, this silver fox looks so ready to “make love, not war”.

Online dating, new tricks and old dogs.

According to this article in Time Magazine, the 50-to-65 age group is match.com’s fastest-growing demographic. In addition, it’s been reported that one in four second marriages for Boomers began online. In fact, I have two friends over 50 years old who met their spouses on online dating sites. So, I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks (did I just call my friends old dogs? Oh my…)

Didn’t anyone teach you about safe sex?

Apparently boomers don’t listen to their own advice. Though their kids are using condoms, our sexy seniors are not. The result? STDs are on the rise in an alarming way. This article in the Vancouver Sun shares some of the statistics. My advice? Don’t spread STDs. Instead, spread the word about safe sex.. Wow, great copy line (it’s not mine).

Who’s up for a Viagra ad?

This ad requires no explanation – or words, for that matter. Visually, the benefit of Viagra would be hard to miss, so to speak. It’s a fun, simple ad that immediately puts a smile on your face. I think it’s fair to say that it’s uplifting.

If you’re writing your online dating profile, what can you learn from this ad? Well, for starters – be penetrating (I couldn’t resist!).

This ad stands out from the crowd by being very clear about what it is and who it’s for. Singles dating online need to do the same on their dating profiles. Dare to be unique.

We spend most of our lives trying to fit in but, when it comes to marketing yourself, it’s important to stand out.

As an ad writer and marketing expert, I’m trained to make that happen. The first step is to complete the personality quiz. It helps uncover your personal anecdotes and traits, which I then add  to your dating profile so that it’s unique, interesting – and genuinely you (one of my strengths is creating a profile that sounds like you). Ultimately, the goal is that you rise above the other dating profiles much like this ad rises above the rest (seriously, too hard to resist…ooops, did it again!).

Still not sure? Then check out theonline dating samplesof my work, as well as the LinkedInprofiles. If you like the blogs, then you’ll like the tweets. I also encourage you to join me on Facebook.