Top 10 Tips For Designing Your Online Dating Profile

Welcome to Online Dating Bootcamp: Day 4! Today is all about what you can do to create a great online dating profile and meet your perfect match, featuring advice from YourTango Experts Julianne Cantarella and Heidi Lee Munson. (Wanna brush up on Bootcamp Days 1-3? Start here.)

Is your online dating profile keeping you from meeting the man of your dreams? While it's simple to spot a bad profile from a mile a way, constructing a great one is easier said than done. Follow our experts' advice to create a profile that will yield the results you're looking for!

1. Show, don't tell. To successfully market yourself online, you must stand out from the rest. Rather than creating a list of adjectives that could describe anyone, let your profile show how unique you are by adding vivid personal anecdotes. —Julianne Cantarella

2. Accentuate the positive. Don't imply that there is anything wrong with you because you are trying online dating. Profiles that begin with, "I can’t believe I'm using this site, but here goes nothing …" get ignored. Why would you start a conversation by putting down everyone else in the room? Remember, the person you are trying to meet is online too, and he or she doesn't want to feel bad for looking for love online. —Heidi Lee Munson

3. Don't lie! ... about anything. After all, you don't want to start out on the wrong foot with your potential match, do you? If you are genuine and authentic, you will have a greater chance of attracting like-minded matches. Lying will only waste your time and his. —Julianne Cantarella

4. Ask the experts. Need a catchy screenname but can't figure out what captures your essence? Ask a few of your girlfriends over for wine, cheese ... and screen-naming! You'll be amazed at how complimentary your friends will be, not to mention the impressive pile of screenname choices you will end up with. —Heidi Lee Munson

5. Be positive. No one wants to date a Debbie Downer. Your online profile is not a place to dwell on your problems or list your negative attributes. Instead, show your warm, loving and nurturing sides. The more open and positive you seem, the more success you will have online. —Julianne Cantarella

Next: Keep reading...

More online dating advice from YourTango Experts:

• YourTango Experts Presents ... Online Dating Bootcamp!
• Is Online Dating Really Worthwhile?
• Which Online Dating Site Is Right For You?

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6. A picture is worth a thousand words. To put your best foot forward, you must post a photo. Your main photo should be a headshot with you looking directly into the camera, smiling warmly, looking approachable and happy. The photo should be clear, not grainy. Don't post pictures without you in them, group shots, or worse — you with someone of the opposite sex. —Julianne Cantarella

7. Flirt, don't fight. Do you keep getting responses from toads rather than your potential Prince Charming? It may be because your profile shows your proverbial fangs. Instead of complaining about your ex-husbands, boyfriends and deadbeat dads, be a little flirtatious. Share the ideas and activities that make you smile and your positive energy will attract the right matches. —Heidi Lee Munson

8. Check your spelling & grammar. If spelling and grammar aren't your strong suit, ask a friend to help you out. It would be such a shame to miss out on dates because of words you carelessly misspelled. —Julianne Cantarella

9. Put an honest face forward. Scour your social media accounts, ask your friends and dig through your vacation albums. A candid and natural shot of you doing what you love is the most attractive image you can present — and it is a true image. The person you are meant to find wants to know who he or she is actually getting. Posed, professional pictures can show how nicely you clean up, but let your primary profile photo show your gorgeous smile while at a ballgame, a picnic or practicing pottery. —Heidi Lee Munson

10. Complete your profile. An unfinished profile sends the message that you are dabbling in online dating, not serious at all. Take the time and make the effort to complete your profile. It will increase your chances of being contacted by someone who is serious about finding love. —Julianne Cantarella

Come back tomorrow for Online Dating Bootcamp: Day 5, How To Spot Mr. Right's Online Dating Profile with YourTango Expert Kimberly Seltzer.