So you’ve spent ages creating an online dating profile, and finally it’s ready to be unleashed upon a ready and waiting female public. You sit back and wait. And you wait. And you wait. Where did you go wrong? Chances are you’ve made one of these 10 online profile mistakes.You didn’t include a photo
Research suggests that online dating profiles with photos are up to 20 times more likely to get a response than profiles without. If you’re insecure about your looks, a blank space where the photo should be will make women assume that you’re far uglier than you really are.
2. You did include a photo, but you’re posing topless
Sorry mate, you look like an idiot. Women may be just as shallow as men, and yes we get turned on my good looks, but I’m talking about puppydog eyes and cute dimples. Not men who flash their pecs on a website. That’s the kind of thing we laugh uproariously at on a night out.
3. Your ad is too general
By failing to mention your tastes and interests, you may think that you’re widening your net. But it doesn’t work that way. Women want to know something about you before they’ll respond to you. You’ve got to stand out from the crowd and include information that your ideal date can relate to. “I love music” isn’t good enough – everyone loves music.
4. Your ad is stuffed with spelling mistakes
An ad strewn with spelling and grammatical mistakes suggests that you’re sloppy and lazy, and women don’t tend to go for sloppy and lazy. Whether you’re dyslexic or just want to make sure, run your ad by a spellchecker.
5. You sound like you hate yourself
They say you have to like yourself before someone else can like you, and they are correct. Self-deprecation can be very off-putting in anything other than the smallest, wittiest nuggets, especially when you’re trying to pull. A little self-confidence goes a very long way, and it’s also infectious, so confident people are good fun to be around.
6. You sound like an egomaniac
However, know where to set your positivity thermostat. “I’ll always try to make you laugh and I bet you’ll find stuff to love in my DVD collection” is good, but “I’m very good-looking and no-one can understand why I’m single” just makes you sound like an arrogant moron.
7. You give too much information
Some things are best left unsaid until, say, date number four. Or six. Yes, maybe you snore like a walrus, but this is not something to state in your ad. Stating how much you earn will not thrill anyone, unless you’re actively seeking a gold-digger. And beyond ticking the appropriate “relationship status” box, don’t waste space by mentioning any more about your divorce.
8. You criticise your audience
No-one but the very lucky and the very dateless gets through a few years of adult life without being hurt at least once. But when you’re trying to pull a new girlfriend, don’t allow your bitterness over the old ones to cloud your judgement and wreck your chances. “I’m fed up with dating neurotics” won’t make anyone warm to you – it just makes you sound like hard work.
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