You've decided to join an online dating services website to find a date or friendship so what do you do now to become noticed and attract some admirers? The number and quality of responses you get from an online dating service website depends largely on the quality of your personal profile.
A good personal profile will help you find the romance or friendship that you've been searching for.
A well written personal profile is important because it informs any possible admirers what you are like and what you expect of him or her.
It pays to take some time to enter your profile.
It's pointless leaving it blank simply because you cannot think of anything to say or making a half hearted attempt at it.
A good idea is to write your profile on a sheet of paper, bit by bit over a period of a few days or longer if you need to.
Ask your friends and family to describe you and it will give you an idea of what to write.
You are also likely to be noticed if you have a good opening line in your written profile.
If you cannot think of anything to say, look at profiles that have been written by others to give yourself an idea of where to start and if the characteristics apply to you include them in your profile also.
Whatever you do, do not include others people's profiles into yours verbatim - it could prove embarrassing! While going through other profiles see what points others have written and, if they apply to you also, apply them to your own personal profile.
Avoid trying to write your profile directly onto the dating website, chances are your mind will become blank by too much thinking and besides many of these internet dating sites, have a time out function that will automatically log you out if you haven't written anything for a few minutes.
You will then have to start again, if, of course, you can remember what you have written! Be careful about your language, spelling and punctuation.
There's nothing more irritating than to read through a profile where every second word or so is spelled incorrectly.
Also avoid using text speak - there is a place to use this language and it's on a mobile phone not when you are trying to attract a potential date - you might just as well use Morse code! The best profiles are those that have been carefully thought out with good grammar and without spelling mistakes, so use a word processor with a grammar and spell checker to ensure better accuracy.
As well as a good written profile, a well taken photograph is also important.
You don't have to use glamour shots or your old school photographs.
Instead, use pictures that show you as you look today.
Most good on line dating services websites will show you examples of good mug shots to help you.
The majority of people who are looking for romance on line want a real person, not someone who has been Photoshop enhanced!Besides, what are you going to do if you finally meet up - get your picture out? When you begin to receive replies to your well written profile, try to make sure that you take the time to reply using the same attention to your grammar and spelling that you did on your profile.
Remember that someone has taken the time to read your profile and then contact you.
You could at least acknowledge that by spending some time to answer any questions or strike up a conversation.
Remember, for the most part, first impressions count.
So make sure you have a good up to date natural photograph and a well written profile.
The time taken will be worth it.