Knowing what is best for a dating profile of dreams is not always obvious. What type of pictures? What to say or not say about me? What do other people expect? These questions often come up when you are online dating. This is why dating app, happn, which now has over 50 million users around the world, has put together top 8 rules for the perfect profile that will appeal to your dream crush!
Claire Certain, head of trends at happn, the app that helps you find people you’ve crossed paths with, has provided some top tips on HOW to create the best profile for you.
Be yourself – Everyone is different and to write a great profile individuality is key. Just make sure your personality shines through whether that’s through any light hearted jokes you make, your pictures, or your passions. Really think about what defines you, what you enjoy doing most of all and what it is you’re looking for in a partner.
Choose a variety of pictures – Make sure that your first picture clearly shows your face so potential connections can immediately see what you look like – trying to work out which one you are in a group of 10 is time consuming and annoying. However, make sure the rest of your pictures show different sides of your personality and lifestyle: are you a traveller? A socialite? A foodie? An art lover? A pet lover? A sports person? Then don’t hesitate to show it.
Don’t lie or use outdated pictures – Remember it’s better to connect with someone who likes you for who you really are. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not; it will only have a negative impact in the long run. You wouldn’t like it if you’ve got yourself a date but when you see the person they look nothing like the picture on their profile or obviously lied about their life. This can be very awkward, especially if someone were to bring it up.
Don’t be too mysterious – People need to know quickly what they could share with you, like hobbies, passions, lifestyle, so too much mystery is not the best option. Give your potential connections something to start a conversation with! And if you are not comfortable with describing you, use music or visual ways to do so.
Add variety – On dating apps, such as happn, daters can be given the opportunity to add things like a glimpse of their Instagram gallery or their favourite music using Spotify. This increases the chance of having something more in common with an individual and stand out of the crowd. It could also be an efficient way to start a conversation if it’s a Crush!!
Use emojis! – They can be a fun way of expressing yourself that adds colour and will help describe yourself in a very visual and straightforward way. Research into users’ profiles has found that men use way more emojis than women! In fact, 64% of men use them in their profiles, compared to just a third (36%) of women! The most popular emoji users have is the red heart, followed by the peace sign and in third place the winky face!
Don’t overshare – Remember this is just the first step of meeting someone. Have fun with it and summarise yourself without taking it too seriously. Save some details and stories for your 1st date, and even for the dates after this. While it’s good to be open on your dating profile, make sure that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect yourself. If you live in a city, say you live in a region of the city (e.g. south west London). Giving more information can come later once you really know a person. And, if you’re linking your Instagram to your dating profile, ensure you’re not giving away too much on that either!
Get the help of your friends and family – They know you from an external point of view and even if it can be embarrassing, having a second opinion gives you the reassurance that you’re on the right track and are portraying yourself in the best light. They might even give you some suggestions on how you can improve your profile, either with some better pictures or facts. This is a particularly good idea for those who lack confidence and might not be aware of what they’ve got going for them.
