How do you stand out when online dating? This is something I get asked about a lot. It always makes me smile because it shows how much focus there is on online dating these days and how it’s become ‘the norm’.
Do you remember when online dating first came about? There was so much taboo around it that if you did meet your partner online, your friends would be astonished by it.
These days, it almost feels strange to not be online dating and let’s face it, it’s far easier than trying to meet someone on a night out.
The reality is, online dating is now the easiest way to meet someone and if you haven’t tried it, you simply haven’t lived.
The problem is, the more popular it has become, the more people are on dating sites and the more competition there is. Add a global pandemic into the mix and now there is no other option than to take to sites like Tinder, POF and Thursday.
So, with all of this competition, how do you stand out when online dating?
Top tips to standing out when online dating:
If I asked you to list your best qualities, I’m betting you would immediately want to throw yourself down a dark well. We really aren’t very good at bigging ourselves up, so this is an area where you need to phone a friend.
Choose someone who knows you well and ask them to tell you what they think your best qualities are. Don’t be shy about this. These are the people that spend the most time with you so they will be honest and show you in your best light.
Killer profile picture
The simple fact is, when it comes to online dating, your profile picture will either make someone swipe left or swipe right. If it doesn’t appeal immediately, they aren’t going any further.
Don’t get me wrong, you don’t need to look like Kim Kardashian West or Ryan Gosling to get noticed, but your picture should tell a story.
It should be vibrant and full of personality. I’m sorry ladies, but a pouting selfie really doesn’t hit the spot.
Ask for expert advice or book yourself a professional photo shoot
Don’t be boring
Think about the profiles you have looked at and ask yourself what turns you off? Standard responses to hobbies and interests are a big no-no for me. Maybe you do like a walk in a park, but really? Are you really as predictable as the next person?
Think about adding a conversation starter so instead of listing your hobbies and interests, be unique and ask something along the lines of “ask me why I want to jump out of a plane”.
Trust me, they will ask!
Be sociable
If someone wants to connect with you when you’re online dating, it’s likely that they are looking at the future. That means they want to be part of your life. Subtly introduce your friends to them by sharing the activities you love to do with other people.
We may be stuck indoors now but it won’t be forever and by sharing the active experiences you love; it shows that you are a social person and not a bit of a hermit.
Stay positive
We all need a little positivity in our life so using negative language in an online dating profile is a huge buzz kill. Use positivity and emphasise what you do like to do rather than what you don’t. No-one likes a moaning Minnie!
Be honest
There is nothing worse than getting to know someone online just to find out that their whole profile and persona was completely fabricated. All that trust that you have spent time building will come crashing down quicker than you can say ‘kiss me’.
Just be honest about yourself. You are who you are. No one is like you because you are completely unique. Don’t feel that you have to pretend to be someone you’re not because if that’s the case, you won’t be attracting the right people anyway.
When it comes to how you stand out when online dating, the single most important piece of advice I could give you is, just be you and have fun. It’s supposed to be an enjoyable experience and let’s face it; positivity attracts positivity. The more fun you have, the better results you will get when it comes to your online matches.
Good luck and happy dating!
