While it’s not an exact science, and there’s lots of variable factors at play, online dating is essentially a marketing exercise – and you are the product that you’re marketing.
That may feel a little uncomfortable but we don’t make the rules. If you want to connect with people online, you’ve got to get their attention. The first step towards getting their attention is to put some energy into your dating profile.
Why is an online dating profile important?
This is Marketing 1.01. If you are the product, then your dating profile is your shop window. Your dating profile needs to have sufficient impact that it catches people’s eye as they’re scrolling through their options.
It also needs to be engaging – if you slide into someone’s DMs, their response is going to be shaped by how they view your profile.
That’s not to say that your dating profile has to appeal to everyone – you need to understand your target market and create a profile designed to be alluring to the guys that you’re trying to connect with.
Simple steps to improve your online dating profile
Up-to-date photos
If the photo that you’re using as your main profile image wasn’t taken within the past 12 months, you need to change that photo.
But don’t just put up any old photo – make it a good one! While professionally shot photos look weird on a hook-up app, you can still put some thought into the lighting and the angles and what you’re wearing.
Test your selected profile photo on your friends – let them be brutally honest. In this game, selecting the right profile photo is a make-or-break decision.
Conversation starters
Your dating profile probably allows you to upload a number of different photos. Try and include a few that create opportunities for guys to start a conversation with you. For example, a photo from a recent vacation is something that guys can comment on, share their experiences if they’ve been to that destination, or just compliment you on your tan lines.
Use the bio field to give guys something to talk about. If you like long walks on the beach, big dicks, and fried chicken, put that out there and see where those DMs take you.
Showcase your sense of humour
Demonstrating that you’ve got a sense of humour will get you a long way with most guys.
Don’t take yourself too seriously – use the photos, bio fields, and any opportunities to write text to make it clear to guys that you’re fun and flirty. People are drawn to positive energy.
Be honest and authentic
There’s no point pretending to be something that you’re not, but also remember that you are marketing yourself to potential dates.
In your bio, and with your photos, highlight the most interesting things about you. Road-test it with your friends – get some constructive feedback as to whether what you’ve written is on the money.
Include some body-shots if you can – guys are going to want to see exactly what’s on the menu.
Again, it’s important to tailor this to the guys that you’re trying to connect with. If you’re looking to hook-up with a science-fiction geek who’s into some Star Trek cos-play, your profile needs to give him the clues that you’re probably what he’s looking for.
Widen your search
Dating and hook-up apps will often let you specify the type of guy that you’re looking for through the search fields. For example, you could filter your search by age, tribe, kink, or location.
While it’s fine to express a preference for the types of guys that you’re into, sometimes we don’t know what we like until we’ve had a taste of it.
Try widening your search preferences and see what happens. Be open to meeting up with guys that might normally not be on your radar. You might surprise yourself!
Gareth Johnson
