Writing your online dating profile

Are you a genuine guy or girl, with a lot to offer, looking for your soul mate? Join the many others who say the same thing. Profiles riddled with clichés are uninspiring and uninformative. Distinguish yourself from other online daters looking to find their "soul mate" and capture the attention of that special someone by following a few simple rules.

Most of us cringe at the thought of writing our profiles. I hate talking about myself, what should I say? For this reason, many of us choose stock quotes and phrases to describe ourselves. The result is a bland, uninformative profile rather than an eye catching account of who you are.

The key is to think about what you want to say about yourself and then to elaborate. Personalise your profile so that when you read it, a sense of your individuality comes through.

Here are the five most frequent profile clichés to avoid:

1 I'm looking for my soul mate
It's a romantic notion but who isn't? The trouble with this statement is that it's so broad it says nothing. What qualities are you looking for in your soul mate? Should they enjoy eating home-cooked Italian? Are they a cat or dog lover? Be specific about what you want and you will find that the quality and quantity of responses increases.

2 I'm a genuine guy/girl
Actions speak louder then words. Show that you are genuine by the type of information you include in your profile. If you are a truly genuine person, it will come through in how you describe yourself and what you say you're looking for in a partner. When you make the effort to personalise your profile and to convey your character, it will distinguish you from profiles that aren't genuine.

3 I have a lot to offer
Again, show what you can offer rather than just stating it. Many people find it hard to talk about themselves but if you can't identify your own best qualities, how can you expect the person reading your profile to know what they are? Be specific about what makes you special and don't be afraid to do a bit of self promotion!

4 I like long walks on the beach
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a long walk on the beach, but can you convey your interests in a way that's more personal to you? Maybe you can add a qualifier to make it more relevant to you. For example, I love to relax by taking a stroll along the beach.

5 Email me if you want to know more
This is perhaps the most annoying cliché because it makes the other person to do the risky work...Your profile should display enough information about you for someone to make a roughly informed decision about whether to contact you...

If someone is interested in you, they will make contact. You don't need to prompt them to find out more about you as the information in your profile should inspire them to make contact.

You don't have to be Shakespeare, but you can be creative with your profile if you try to write honestly about yourself. Have fun with it and let your personality jump off the screen. Your "soul mate" may be brushing the sand off your feet in no time!

Content supplied by RSVP, Australia’s largest online dating site.

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