How to Write a Dating Profile: 18 Must-Know Tips to Stand Apart

Learning how to write a dating profile might seem daunting at first. But, think of it as showing yourself in your best possible light. You can do it!

The way in which we interact with those around us has changed. These days, we have a wealth of technology at our disposal and the ability to speak to anyone, at any time of the day. The world is a much smaller place thanks to messaging apps, video calling, and social media. That means the way we date has also changed too. If you want to stay ahead of the modern dating game, you need to learn how to write a dating profile that sets you apart from everyone else.

You see, effective marketing is the key aspect to a successful enterprise. Online dating included. It’s the same as a job-seeker requiring an enticing resume to get an employer’s attention.

A person looking for love online needs to know how to write a dating profile to be successful in their search. Otherwise, you risk being left behind and everyone else catching attention over you.

The issue is that writing about yourself has never been easy for anyone. Well, perhaps some people find it easy, but they’re in the minority! Selling yourself to others may not come naturally to you, but that’s fine. You simply need to know how to create a dating profile that shows you in your truest and best light.

It’s really not as hard as you might think.

[Read: 30 very effective tips to help you win at online dating]

Is online dating really the way forward?

For some strange reason, online dating still has a stigma attached to it. For sure, back in the era when it was first invented, it wasn’t as high-tech as it is now.

It was mostly used by those who were, sorry to say, desperate. It didn’t have the largest pool of people to choose from. Ahem, if you found online love back then, or you know someone who did find love online, apologies, but we have to generalize to make a point here!

Nowadays, however, online dating is far more acceptable than it’s ever been before. It still has that slight ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ feel to it, but we say just go for it.

More and more people are using online dating to find love. We lead much busier lives than we ever have before and certainly with the worldwide pandemic going on, connecting online has been our main source of connecting with others.

You can also say that Tinder has had a huge influence on how popular online dating is. While Tinder has that reputation of being used for casual hookups, there are countless people who have actually found true love on the app.

So, whether you’re wanting to know how to write a dating profile for a paid dating site or you’re trying to create a Tinder profile, these tips will help you. [Read: How to know if online dating is right for you]

How to write a dating profile and stand out in the best way

“But I’m not that much of a writer.” That’s what you’re saying, right? While having a way with words may help, it’s not absolutely necessary to be good with words.

The perfect dating profile is not purely the quality of word-stringing involved. Instead, it’s the content, ideal length, and the amount of identity you put in it.

So, when faced with the section asking you to “tell me something about yourself” remember the tips to follow and the things to avoid. [Read: Why dating apps don’t work for you – A perspective-changing guide to understand your mistakes]

1. Be more specific and avoid the usual cliches

One pitfall of online dating profiles is the inclusion of the usual clichés such as “looking for the girl/boy of my dreams” or “need someone to add spice in my life.”

Including the usual, overly-used clichés makes your dating profile seem like it came from the late 1990s.

The modern dating profile requires you to be more specific in telling what you want and who you actually are. You’re not going to stand out if you simply use the same tired lines. [Read: Good Tinder bios that get you dates – The most important tweaks of a perfect bio]

2. Use proper language

There are some people who confuse crass as something cool. So, they include gutter language in every sentence of their dating profile.

Not only is it a pain to read, but it only shows you’re not someone to be taken seriously.

Instead, replace crass with class by using proper, civilized language that commands respect and admiration. Basically, avoid slang. [Read: The 30 best and worst words to describe yourself online]

3. Mind your spelling and grammar

Spelling and grammar are minor mistakes that cause major problems for your dating profile. It is too risky to be left unchecked.

Getting grammar and spelling wrong is a pet peeve for some people, especially the bookish, intellectual types. So, it won’t hurt to give your dating profile a quick spelling and grammar check before posting it online. You might annoy the one person who could be your ideal match, simply because you didn’t check the difference between “there” and their” before you clicked ‘post.’

4. Keep it to a bite-sized length

You’re not writing a dissertation, so make sure that when learning how to write a dating profile, you keep length in mind. Keep your dating profile to a digestible length that people in a hurry could read to the end.

Making it too long makes it boring to read. Keep it around a 100-150 word length and if it goes over that, cut out any unnecessary wordiness. [Read: How to date online – 15 tricks successful online daters always use]

5. Use wit and humor

Witty and funny is the new sexy. When it comes to understanding how to write a dating profile that stands out, incorporating witty and funny ways to introduce yourself grabs the attention of people in that dating website or app.

A funny or clever dating profile is not only entertaining but is a fresh welcome to all those boring dating profiles littering the online dating scene. But, that doesn’t mean you need to be a stand-up comedian either – remember the word ‘moderation’! [Read: How to be witty – 25 ways to win over anyone with your super charm]

6. Add a bit of mystery

Like a trailer to a movie, leave a little bit of mystery to keep potential dating partners hooked on you. Writing a dating profile that immediately reveals all is like throwing your trump card out of the window.

Giving them a little taste of who you are will immediately make them send that friend request to get to know you more. It’s that ‘little to the imagination’ rule that makes people start to fill in the gaps for themselves, but not enough to mean that they don’t want to meet you.

Intrigue them and they’ll contact you. [Read: How to be mysterious and leave everyone smitten and craving for more]

7. Avoid being too dramatic

Life itself is full of drama. Most people won’t want to see it in a dating profile. Being overly dramatic in your dating profile will not show people that you are a sensitive person like you are imagining. But, it will give them a hint that you are probably someone they should avoid running into. That’s not the vibe you’re going for. [Read: Attention seeking behavior and why some people go looking for drama]

8. Don’t make your profile purely about sex

People who make their dating profiles about sex alone probably end up either (1) getting ignored or (2) meeting people just interested in sex.

Generally, dating websites are filled mostly with people looking for a relationship. Having a dating profile purely about sex screams you are a desperate human being who just wants to get some, and you’ll probably just get ignored.

If that’s all you want, then head over to Tinder and make sure that you make it very clear that it’s all you want. [Read: The perfect Tinder f*ck – How to find a hookup if that’s what you want]

9. Don’t brag or appear arrogant

The idea of writing a good dating profile is to make yourself interesting to a target crowd, not to tell them you’re better than them in every aspect. Bragging is considered unattractive to most people.

This approach alienates them instead of interesting them. Remember, having a high-paying job, a fit body, or being good-looking may get your dating profile a lot of likes and requests, but rubbing it in everyone’s face surely won’t. [Read: Why do so many people become self-centered and stop caring about others?]

10. There’s a difference between being humble and being self-deprecating

Being humble is a good way to approach figuring out how to write a dating profile. But, know that there is a difference between being humble and being self-deprecating.

Self-deprecation is a random way of pulling yourself down with humor. While you might think it’s endearing, it’s telling people that you don’t really like yourself much.

If you want to learn how to write a great dating profile, you need to tell people how great you are in a humble way, not in a self-deprecating way.

11. Paint a picture of who you want to meet, not just characteristics

Most of the time, there will be a section of your dating profile where you specify the type of person you want to meet. Far too many people write specifications like they are looking for a piece of furniture – you’re looking for a person!

Avoid the usual height, weight, eye, and hair color specifications. Instead, paint a picture of the personality of the person you want. This makes your dating profile more interesting to read and opens you up to a larger range of potential mates. [Read: How to stop making the same mistakes in a relationship and learn]

12. Don’t be too choosy

If you want to know how to write a dating profile, remember that being too choosy is counterintuitive, especially in online dating. We hate to break this to you, but you’re in online dating because it’s hard for you to find a partner in real life.

So, how do you think being too rigid or choosy is going to work for you? Be open-minded and show people that you’re trying to meet someone great, not a prescribed individual you have in your mind.

13. Keep negativity out of it

This hints back to the self-deprecation point. Do not be negative in your dating profile. Nobody likes a negative person.

But, of course, don’t be overly cheery and positive either – just be normal, whatever that is for you!

When you fill your profile up with negative details, you’re going to attract a similarly negative person or nobody at all. That’s not your desired outcome. [Read: Is negative thinking ruining your life? 20 signs and tips to cope]

14. Do not mention past details

Whatever you do, don’t mention your past relationships, your ex, or any baggage that you’re still holding onto in your profile.

Nobody needs to know about that on your dating profile! By adding in any type of nod to your past, you’re showing people that you’re not over it and they’re more likely to steer clear of you as a result.

15. Keep the details real

Nobody wants to be with a fraud. And even if the false information you tell about yourself in your dating profile manages to get you a date or two, you’ll be found out sooner or later.

So, write your dating profile as honestly as possible. The less pretensions you have, the easier you’ll interact. [Read: 17 tips to talk about all the right things with your online date]

16. Ask another person to write your profile for you, if necessary

If you think you can’t handle writing your dating profile and if you know someone who can do a good job at it, ask them to write it for you.

Sometimes, other people are better at writing about you more. Then, check it over and tweak any details you want to change.

17. Remember to be yourself

When writing a dating profile, it’s easy to slip into the character of someone else. Perhaps you’ll start writing from the perspective of the person you wish you were; a more confident person, maybe. But, it’s important that you are yourself – and there’s nothing wrong with that!

You want to meet someone who finds you attractive, both inside and outside. You’re not going to do that by trying to be someone you’re not. It’s not just about keeping the details real, it’s about keeping the picture you’re painting of yourself real too. [Read: How to love yourself – The 23 best ways to find self-love and happiness]

18. Always include a picture

It’s common knowledge that online dating profiles without photos are often passed over. Most people don’t even bother reading them.

We’re visual creatures, so make sure that you add a good photograph of yourself to your dating profile.

But, there are a few guidelines.

You need to choose a photograph that only has you in it, that shows you smiling *not pouting or looking moody*, and not when you’re either drunk or wearing very little clothing. Just a regular photo that shows you in your best light will do. Your personality will do the rest when people start messaging you.

[Read: 17 dating app meanings and terms you MUST know before you try online dating]

Like a new product needs good advertisement for recognition and sales, a person breaking into online dating needs to know to write a dating profile to score viewership hits and possible likes!