Online Dating Sites - Creating Your Profile

When you first join an online dating site you will be asked to create a profile.   Some internet dating sites ask only for your favorite activities, physical characteristics and what type of person you want to meet.   Others will have extensive profile options to fill out that will help you match you interests to those of other members.

The more extensive the profile, the better the chance of a good match...in theory.    This works only if you are honest in your profile.   For the shorter profile sites, craft your answers carefully.   Try your best to base your comments on who you ARE and what you DO rather than on who you would like to be and what you think you might enjoy doing.   Sounds like common sense but you might be surprised at how difficult it can be to stick to reality when writing a profile page.

One reality test is to ask yourself "when did I last do that?"     If you mention "love to travel" and haven't been farther than the next state over in the past ten years, do you really love to travel?   If so, why haven't you gone anywhere?  Be self critical in creating your profile.  Perhaps you would love to travel if you could afford it or if you had someone to accompany you.  Word it differently.

If you are carrying a few extra pounds (or more than a few) and you are self-conscious about it, don't just avoid the issue by not adding a photo.  There may be someone on the dating site who also must watch his weight constantly and would understand what you go through.   If you love yourself just as you are, be confident and say so.

I'm not picking on women here.   The females may tend to fudge a bit on weight but men seem inclined to stretch their height.  A male who is 5'8" is not going to look 6'1" no matter what he lists on his dating profile.  We want to present ourselves in the best light possible - shaving 10-15 pounds or adding an inch in height won't hurt you.   Being deceptive labels you as something not to be trusted.  Such a big price for a small lie - so don't do it.

If the online dating site asks you to list what you are looking for in a new friend or mate avoid a shopping list.  Your purpose is to meet compatible people, not to create an unattainable person you may daydream about.  We all want to think of ourselves as exciting, attractive and interesting and in our own way, we are those things.   Use your onelin dating profile page to attract people to you who will see you as having those traits becuase those are traits they are seeking.  

For women, there may be an ideal man in their imagination.  He may be young and trim, indulge in extreme sports or be a corporate giant.   That's fine - in your dreams.   Ask yourself how you would deal with such a man if your interests lie in reading mysteries and volunteering at the animal shelter. 

Men always dream of the perfect woman with a great body and sexy voice.   A man might imagine himself walking into his favorite watering hole with such a woman by his side.   It's a great daydream - but what happens if you meet only women like that and you can't meet their standards?   Can you afford the manicures, pedicures, and hair salons this high maintenance woman is accustomed to?   Would you enjoy her company or worry that she might leave you for someone else?

The person of the opposite sex that lives in your imagination is based on impressions of beauty and of wit and action that you've put together from many different sources.   In truth, that person might not be someone you would enjoy spending more than a few hours with if you met them as real people.

Take whatever time you need to make your online dating site profile a good reflection of who you are and who you would like to meet.   Do the best you can and if you find you are attracting people who don't interest you, go back and work on the profile some more till you get it right.