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Think of your online dating profile as a billboard announcing yourself to the entire world. This is your one chance to make an impression and to make yourself stand out from the millions of others out there. But most often, people put too little thought and not enough honesty into creating an online profile and then wonder why no one responds.

You can write your profile dressed in your old sweat pants or in an evening gown, which is one of the things that makes the world of online dating so wonderful. But regardless of what you’re wearing at the time, it’s only your profile and its heading that people will see first, and then decide on whether or not to contact you. Writing a profile that will get the type of responses you’re looking for does take a bit of effort but it isn’t at all difficult.

Here are four simple tips to keep in mind when writing your profile to ensure that your profile doesn’t get passed by in the vast world of online dating.

1 – Be Specific
When writing your online dating profile it’s helpful to be as honest and as specific as possible in order to best convey your expectations. Instead of writing something obvious such as “I’m trying to find someone to go on dates with” try outlining what type of date you’re looking for. If your ideal evening is curling up at home watching reruns on television and eating popcorn rather than going to the opera, be sure to say so.

2 – Be Yourself
A unique online dating profile that will leave people intrigued is one that offers a true glimpse into that person’s personal world. This doesn’t mean using generic phrases such as “I’m smart, good looking and fun to be with.” Those are trite, boring statements that should be retired along with the line “What’s your sign?”

Think of something interesting, funny, or just plain silly that may have happened to you and then write about that in your profile. Instead of listing that you’re an excellent cook; tell them about the time you prepared a scrumptious Thanksgiving meal for your local homeless shelter. And instead of writing that you’re an animal lover, be honest and be yourself by letting them know you love dogs but cats you can do without.

3 – Be Honest
If you’re going to be 40 this summer, don’t use your high school yearbook photo in your online dating profile. This will tell the person that you’re insecure about how you look now or how you may have aged. And this will also let them know that you’re not only insecure but dishonest as well, two traits that aren’t going to win you any dating trophies.

If you need a phone book to see over the steering wheel there’s really no point in listing “basketball star” as one of your past careers in your profile. When exchanging pictures online, send the most recent photo that you have that shows how you actually look today. After all, wouldn’t you want the same honesty in return?

4 – Be Creative
With the millions of singles looking for love online today it’s no wonder people often don’t know where or how to find the person that’s really right for them. Many make the common mistake of writing a boring, nondescript headline for their online dating profile, making it difficult to weed through the thousands of people to find the right one for you.

We’ve all seen the headlines “SWF ISO SM” or “Single male seeking female”. How interesting and informative! Instead of stating the obvious, and of course, the boring, try incorporating a little humor into your profile or ad. This will not only lighten the mood but also let people know you have a great sense of humor, which happens to be one of the most sought after personality traits in a mate.

Remember, an interesting and catchy profile is the absolute best way to make a great first impression in the world of online dating. Be sure you’re honest about who you are and equally as honest about what you’re interested in for the best chance of success.

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