Our Tips for Writing a Great Dating Profile

Writing a good online dating profile can feel tough. You have so many great qualities, but putting them into words isn't always easy, and it might make you feel awkward. However, sharing these qualities is important because that's what people on dating sites are eager to learn about you!

They're not interested in hearing that you only clean your apartment when guests are expected; they want to hear about your best qualities. They're curious about what makes you a fun first date and a good match for them in the long run.

So, what should you write? How do you begin?

Here are some key tips for creating a profile that will draw others to click and learn more. After gathering your thoughts, why not join a dating site and see how it goes?

What catches your eye on profiles that you read? What makes you intrigued? Chances are the type of person that you are seeking would share a similar interest in those things. Write a profile that you would like to click on.

It is very important to always be honest in your profile. Making yourself out to sound like Superman or Wonder Woman will attract a lot of attention, but you will be setting yourself up to fail by starting a relationship, even a friendship, with a lie. So unless you intend to turn up to that first date wearing a cape, speak the truth and use realistic pictures.

EVERYONE says that they love to travel – because everyone does! No one is going to say that they prefer staying at home with their 18 cats and if you by chance do prefer that, you’re probably not the type that is online and looking to date!

It’s ok to say that you love to travel, but back the claim up. Where have you been? What is on your hit list to travel to next? What kind of holiday do you like? Are you the type that should ALWAYS take out the best travel insurance as you need speed, action and adventure? Or are beaches and resorts more your style?

Studies found that individuals with more original profiles were not seen as strange. Originality is key to attractive dating profiles.

Writing about how you love to read or write poems will make you sound scholarly and intelligent, but it’s not an activity that you could share with your potential future partner. Do you like to cook? Could you picture romantic nights at home making the perfect pasta sauce together? Do you like taking long drives to the country? Going to the beach? Hiking? Show that you have room for someone in your life and give them a feel for what life with you would be like.

I bet if we took a random poll right now, we wouldn’t find anyone who doesn’t like to laugh. It’s human nature. So try and include some humour in your profile that suits your personality. Not everyone loves dad jokes or being punny (<- see what I did there??), but if that is your thing, it could help you find your perfect match.

Don’t give everything away in your profile. It should provide insight into the type of person you are to create interest and to stimulate conversation when you first start chatting to someone. There will be plenty of time to discuss your childhood holidays on your first date, or maybe leave that until the 5^th or 6^th date.

We all have them. Some people 100% will not date a smoker, or someone with children, or even a vegetarian for those that the smell of bacon cooking is like an aphrodisiac. And it is fine to be honest about those things that you just know would be a deal breaker, but it can be seen as a very negative thing to list all the things that you don’t want in a partner in a profile. Focus on you, it’s your ‘advertisement’ and tell the world what your key selling points are instead.

If your profile says you can’t wait for Christmas and it’s May, you either look like a tragic Christmas freak, or a lazy one that has been on the market far too long. Review it every month or so to make sure it is up to date and relevant.

This goes for pictures too. Don’t put a picture from 10 years ago and expect that you look the same – unless you have discovered a magic cure for aging, and if you have, hook me up ok?!

This is always a big no-no for dating profiles. Take some time and care with writing your profile, and read through it for grammatical errors. It may seem superficial, but many feel that if you can’t be bothered with spell check, you can’t be bothered putting effort into dating a partner.

Did you know that nearly half of online daters have been sent messages with little to no punctuation – and such schoolboy errors are ruining chances of intimacy, with the majority admitting they are put off by a lousy message while “sexting” a partner? Most would dump a lover for sloppy writing, as it suggests laziness. And to top it all, most online daters believe that  "text talk" is a turn-off, such as WUU2 ("what are you up to?") or LOL ("laugh out loud").