How To Create The Perfect Dating Profile*

*This is a collaborative post*

Dating is a minefield somewhat! And there's no doubt that putting yourself out there can feel daunting and alien. However, if and when you decide to boldly go, you should take the time and effort to create the perfect dating profile. Let's face it, you're trying to market yourself to prospective takers so therefore you should sell yourself well.

Peruse the net...

Have a look around at all the different dating websites. There are so many to choose from. If you're not sure then ask friends which they've tried and which have worked well for them. If you don't want to ask around then peruse the net for reviews of different dating sites.

There are various dating websites out there that are free to use but it is also worth considering signing up to one that you pay a monthly fee for. I tend to have the attitude that if people are paying for a service then they're not going to be time wasters or players, or at least I hope not.

Some dating sites that you will probably have heard of are Tinder, Match, eHarmony and POF but there are also plenty of others to choose from too. If you're looking for over 50s dating or an Isle of Man dating agency, a Lincolnshire dating agency, or even Cumbria dating or Glasgow dating then make Google your new best friend! There really is a perfect dating site for everyone, you just have to find yours!

Create your profile...

Once you've chosen your preferred website, (or websites) you can get to work on creating the perfect profile. Before you start, consider what you're looking for in a partner, what sort of man or woman do you want to attract? Factor this into your bio as you write it. Be careful not to give too much away otherwise you won't have anything to talk about on your first date! Remember that first impressions last. Have a catchy tag line that grabs the attention of potential takers. Humour is a good way to go but don't go overboard. Stay away from anything cringe worthy or cheesy.

You want your date to like you for you...

When taking a photo, of course make effort but at the same time try to keep your makeup, hair and clothes as you would usually wear them. There's no point pretending to be something that you're not. Likewise be careful not to filter your photo to death. Your photo does ideally need to represent the real you.

List some of your best personality traits and share an insight into your world. Hobbies and interests are a must! I also think it's wise to be clear from the very beginning just what you are looking for to save confusion and heartache later on down the line. If you're after a fling then be honest, if you're after a husband then I wouldn't necessarily suggest you scare them off by writing this but perhaps instead say that you're looking for a long term partner.

Safety first...

Always be careful. Don't give any personal details away. Obviously it's likely that you'll swap mobile numbers at some point but until you've met, I wouldn't recommend sharing your address or anything else that might come back to haunt you. When all is said and done, online dating is lots of fun but you can't always be sure who you're talking to on the net.

Lastly, have fun with it...

Don't take online dating too seriously, it is after all supposed to be an enjoyable experience. I can't guarantee that you'll get someone who looks like this (below - we can only hope) but on the other hand, you won't get anywhere if you don't put yourself out there and dip your toe in the water. Remember, there's plenty of fish in the sea!