Seven Online Dating Mistakes in Profiles | Dating

By SaraMusfeldt
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Word Count: 598

I have tried online dating on three separate occasions. The first time I was terrified and the second time I was frustrated. The third time was better because I finally read-up on the topic, asked my friends what they were writing online, and experimented with my profile until I got the attention I wanted.

Don't make the same mistakes I did, do yourself a favor.

Mistake Number One: Ignore Your Competition I went weeks without ever looking at other women's profiles. It didn't occur to me that I should one-up my competition. It's important to compare yourself to others and make your profile stand out. Do of women in your zip code have a picture of themselves watching a baseball game? If so, maybe you should have a picture of yourself playing the game.

Mistake Number Two: Your Photo Never Changed I picked a new photo and changed my profile a bit every couple of weeks after I found a guy whose profile stayed exactly the same for months. Even though I liked the guy, I didn't write him because I thought if his profile was the same for so long, then he wasn't interested in impressing anyone. I realized that I should spice up my profile from time to time so I didn't get passed by more than once.

Mistake Number Three: The Wrong Photo Uploaded It's odd to have pictures of your ex or a friend of the opposite sex hanging or hugging on you. Since it's safe to assume we've all been in relationships and have flirty friends, avoid pictures where its obvious someone has been cut out or where someone is a little too friendly.

Nice try, but pictures of you with babies or puppies is cheap.

The photos of you in your bathing suit should, of course, be avoided. You're hot and want to tell someone, which is great, but keep it classy.

Mistake Number Four: Write a Novel The written portions of your profile should never be too long. Our attention spans just won't withstand the 580 words describing your ideal date. Save the novel for the second, third and fourth e-mails because that will certainly let him or her know you're interested.

Mistake Number Five: Put on a Broken Record It is difficult to make yourself sound unique on paper. But doing so might be the most important aspect of an online profile. Really focus on your distinctive attributes like the fact that sometimes your eyes are green and sometimes they are hazel, depending on what you wear. Avoid clich phrases like "My friends say that I'm" or "I'm laid back."

Mistake Number Six: Wire Your Heart on Your Sleeve Keep your heartbreak to yourself-no one cares that you are getting over someone or that you've been hurt before. Your suitors will be scared away if you say things like: "After a horrible break-up, I'm looking to have fun" or "After so many Mr. Wrongs, I'm looking for Mr. Right." No one wants to get involved with someone new who obviously has baggage.

Mistake Number Seven: Forget to Get a Second Opinion Let's be honest, it's hard to write about yourself. The best thing you can do is ask a good friend to help you write your profile, or at least review it for you. If that's not an option, there are many profile writing services around to help you out for a small fee.

Online dating is not hard, and shouldn't be scary. If you have the right attitude and keep your expectation realistic-as you should do in all types of dating-the outcome will only be positive.

About the Author

About the Author: Sara Musfeldt operates a blog filled with dating stories and dating profile tips for everyone. She has also created an online dating advice to help single people everywhere find love.

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