Be truthful, authentic — and post present photos
by Laura Petrecca, AARP, February 8, 2019 | remarks: 0
First the news that is good It’s an opportune time for you to be solitary and over age 50.
Dating apps and internet sites abound, exponentially expanding the pool that is dating. With a few swipes for a smartphone, the divorced, widowed and not hitched can very quickly relate to prospective partners whenever you want, from anyplace.
Now the bad news: To take part, you have to produce a internet dating profile.
As well as the even even worse news: To enjoy complete advantages, dating specialists say your profile should always be positive and enticing, and can include at the very least three photos that are current.
Cue the anxiety. For many individuals, it is difficult adequate in order to make casual chitchat at a community picnic — never as “sell” their appearance, passions and character faculties to total strangers.
But don’t panic yet — there’s some more news that is good. Relationship specialists have actually studied that which works and does not in online dating sites pages, therefore we’ve collected some top recommendations. So whether you’re on eHarmony, Tinder or OurTime — or age 51 or 81 — you will find tried-and-true options for producing a standout profile.
Here’s how to handle it.
Prioritize your images. “The value for having great pictures can’t be stressed enough,” says Julie Spira, a dating mentor and a specialist when it comes to over-50-focused site OurTime that is dating. “You’re just as good as your worst photo.” Post a number of shots, she claims, including a close-up with you smiling (sunglasses down!), a body that is full-length, and an action or travel photo. Reticent about showing the body? Here’s some motivation: Users by having a full-body picture get 203 per cent more incoming communications compared to the average, relating to information through the dating internet site Zoosk.
Hog the limelight. Prevent group pictures or intimately provocative shots. Those individuals who have one or more individual within their picture get 42 percent less communications than normal, Zoosk says. And keep Fido out from the framework. Individuals who pose with an animal get 53 % less communications compared to average.
Showcase why is you unique. Post pictures that highlight the true, authentic you, states coach that is dating Dates & Mates podcast host Damona Hoffman. “Don’t forget to exhibit your side that is quirky nerdy part, your goofy part,” she claims. “That’s what makes you different.”
Maintain your write-up good. Don’t add a washing directory of everything you want and don’t want in a partner that is romantic states Meredith Golden, a ghostwriter for dating internet site and app users, whom helps consumers art online profiles. Saying you’ll only date someone with specific traits, such as for example high or athletic, “makes you look negative,” and you also could disqualify somebody who could possibly be a perfect match, she claims.
Sprinkle in engaging tidbits. Ditch nondescriptive and overused expressions such as “I look more youthful than my age” or “i enjoy to just just just take coastline walks,” Spira claims. Rather, share five or six brief, interesting information regarding your hobbies, along with basic fun facts, Golden claims. Some situations are: “I make a killer grilled cheese,” “I happened to be the captain of my senior high school bowling team” or “I know the most readily useful taco destination into the town.”
Offer a conversation beginner. Offer an opening line, such as “ask me personally exactly exactly just what we’m reading” or “if you’re uncertain things to message me personally about, simply enquire about my dog,” during the end of one’s profile, states Megan Murray, editor in chief of Zoosk’s online mag The Date Mix. “It helps it be less complicated for somebody you have matched with to give you a note.”
Be honest. Forgo the urge to lie about age, height, physical stature or absolutely other things. “You wish to have truth in advertising,” Hoffman says. “People is going to be upset if you provide your self within one method and show up one other way. You’re setting the building blocks for the relationship, and also you don’t desire to set it up predicated on a lie,” Honesty may be the top trait desired by female online daters 50 and older together with second many wanted one by men for the reason that age bracket, based on an analysis of Zoosk profiles.
Leave down such a thing extremely personal. Don’t post determining information such as for example your house or work target, a hyperlink to your internet site or an image of your car with an obvious permit dish quantity, Spira claims. And save yourself any pictures of young ones or grandkids for social networking sites such as for example Twitter, where you could take control of your privacy settings.
Enlist an editor. When you complete your draft, get candid feedback from a buddy with good judgment, Golden states. Ask that pal to examine sentence structure, tone and spelling, plus your picture selection. Revise and continue steadily to make tweaks yourself,” she says“until you feel that you’re representing the best version of.
The next step: Post your masterpiece.
You,” says Hoffman, who recommends that users 
also reach out to others“If you have an excellent profile, then ideally the dates will come to.
Your profile is “like your résumé or card that is calling” she says. “That could be the gateway for you to get more dates.”