This is a continuation of my online dating series. I’ve already talked about the importance of adding an attractive profile picture to get people to notice your profile. Then I talked about 7 easy steps to follow when writing your profile that will make you more attractive to what you are looking for and weed out the ones you are not interested in. Today I’m going to talk about the third most important element to your profile, and that is your headline. Your headline is not as important as your profile picture or what you actually say in your profile, but it is still very significant.
According to David Ogilvy (one of the all time advertising Greats), “Headlines are 90% of your ad’s effectiveness. And even though Mr. Ogilvy was talking about advertising and not dating in particular; make no mistake about it, you are marketing yourself. Aside from your profile picture your headline is one of the first things people will notice when skimming through your profile.
If your headline is intriguing or catchy, then potential dating candidates are much more likely to read your profile. Your goal is to get your profile read by as many potential candidates as you can, so details like your headline now become super important.
Below are some ideas to get your headline noticed:
Curiosity Gets Them Every Time
I will let you in on a little advertising secret: Curiosity is an age old secret of getting your reader’s attention. Joe Vitale (a best-selling author and online marketer) is famous for invoking curiosity in his headlines. Well, if it works so well for online marketing, it will certainly work making your profile more attractive.
One way to invoke curiosity is to ask an intriguing question of your reader:
When was the last time you got spoiled?
Can you handle a good woman?
Want to meet a guy whose IQ is bigger than his shoe size?!
Another way to invoke curiosity is to make a statement that is just a little outrageous or out of the ordinary with the goal of making your reader stop, think, and take a look:
Take one minute to put me to the test
I’m the kind of girl you can take home to meet your mom
New man: gives compliments galore
Be Funny
If you can make someone laugh or smile when they read your headline, it’s sure to get clicked on.
Willing to lie about how we met!
You must be over 5’10” to read this profile
Romantic men seem to be extinct. If you’re extinct, contact me now
Hobbies or Interests
It is also a good idea to make a catchy headline about something you enjoy doing, so that someone who enjoys doing the same thing as you do will definitely notice your profile.
You can attract the right kind of people with shared interests or an important issue like religion. Add something in the headline that is important to you.
Canoeing wombat seeks hiking kangaroo
Student of life indulges passion for culture
Marathoner hopes to run into lifelong love with you
Experimental cook needs food taster
Romantic
If you are a romantic or sentimental person then show that, the people who respond will often be like-minded.
Cat Lover Seeks Purrrfect Lap to curl up on
Inspire me to write a love poem for you
Wine Lover seeks partner to explore Napa Valley with
What to Avoid in Your Profile Headline
Too Much Sex
There was a line that John Travolta said in Face Off, “If you dress up like Halloween, ghouls will try and get in your pants”. It’s kind of the same idea here: if you are over-the-top sexy in your headline – or your profile picture and profile for that matter; you are going to attract ghouls. Unless that is what turns you on, show a little class.
It’s hard to be good but good if you’re hard
One night with me is all you’d need to forget everyone else
Busty blonde knows how to have a good time
Handyman with own tool
Boy toy looking to be played with
Obvious Statements
Statements like “looking for true love” or “looking for soul-mate” are overused online dating headlines and don’t tell your reader anything about you.
Desperado
Desperation is not an attractive quality – actually, being too needy has got to be one of the top turn –offs for both men and women. Avoid any headlines that make you sound like you are on anti-depressants.
Pick me, pick me
Make me laugh again
Please read my profile
Still seeking my soulmate
Don’t Be Hatin’
Use positive adjectives when coming up with your dating profile. Using negative words only gives people who browse other dating profiles a negative impression of you. Remember: Like attracts like – that goes for negative, unhappy people too.
Losers don’t apply
Psychos need not apply
No liars please
Drama queens need not apply
I’m really picky, but good luck
Up for a challenge?
Quality women only!
No Imagination
If you have all the time in the world to think of one sentence and still can’t write anything then it doesn’t bode well for an interesting date with witty, intelligent conversation.
Not sure what to write here
Will fill this in later
Just trying this out
Am new to online dating
Insert funny headline here
Hello, my name is Kevin
Your Screen Name
Your screen name should be a real, upbeat and clever representation of who you are. You could incorporate a favorite hobby or activity such as WeekendMarathoner or FitnessFanatic or SizzlingChef. You could also pick a screen name that shows off your personality such as SassyLawyer or FunLovingNerd or RockinMom.
Remember that what you put out there you will attract, so if you put out a screen name like sexxxy or babe69…guess what you will attract?
It’s not a good idea to use your first and last name in your screen name. Cal me paranoid, but using your first and last name as your screen name seems like a good way to encourage stalkers to me. This is public and everyone on the dating site can see it. Err on the side of caution – just sayin’.
Other Tips for Your Profile
Get Human
We humans are funny, quirky creatures. You can make yourself sound more human by adding 1 or 2 quirky, endearing or funny specifics about you into your profile. For example, you can say things like: you are a closet Disco Queen; you can’t seem to pass a Starbucks without stopping in for your favorite Café Latte; or you’re a sap for old James Dean movies. Showing off a little of your goofy, quirky side will make you much more interesting and endear you to your readers.
Call Me
You have spent all this time getting photos and working on your profile, making sure to present yourself in the best possible way. Your profile and photos contain lots of happy, positive energy that make you very magnetic. So don’t deplete that energy by coming off as desperate or with low self-esteem when you ask for someone to contact you. Don’t beg or plead. “I hope you decide to contact me” is a good example of someone coming off as desperate. A better way to ask someone contact you is right after you describe what you are looking for say, “If this sounds like you then feel free to contact me”. Hear the difference? It’s a much different energy.
Stand Out With Video
Some online sites have audio and video features where you can upload your clips. Instead of a dull profile with no pictures or video or audio clips, why not try these features? It makes your profile personalized and interesting.
It’s time for you to finally get love RIGHT!
Kelly Ellzey
If you enjoyed this article you might also enjoy First Date Dating Tips: How to Get to the Second Date.
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