subject: How to Get a Date On-Line – Start with a Profile Picture [print this page] How to Get a Date On-Line Start with a Profile Picture
With all new modern technology, hundreds of dating websites, of which some are even free, on-line dating is becoming more and more popular. Among all the Internet services, online dating remains at the top. Its growth estimate is 10%. 20 million Internet users visit dating sites once a month. That's 240 million visits a year!
You would think with all this help it is very easy to meet someone special: just click on the photo of the cute guy or girl, read his or her profile, write an email, meet in person and bingo! You also think, maybe not the first person or the second, but definitely fifth or seven will be the one.
It is what I was thinking when I started surfing the Internet for my match. I was so positive, hopeful, and energetic. It was 8 years ago in Moscow. Then I continued my search in San Francisco and now in Vancouver, Canada. I was and I am spending (wasting?) hours of answering and writing emails, talking on the phone, chatting on-line, and meeting all kinds of people.
The result - I am still single and still searching. I don't know about this fairytale story "how one guy met her on craigslist, they fell n love and got married, had a couple of kids." Maybe it does happen, but I never met anyone who has found his (her) other half on-line. Unfortunately, statistics are on my side. From these millions of people who are dating on the Internet, there are only 120,000 marriages a year that occur as a result of online dating. (Online Dating Magazine 2007). It is only 0.05%.
Will it stop us from on-line dating? No way. It is convenient, fast, easy, and very modern. What a treat I can put my old pajamas on, jump on my bed, watch my favorite sport or TV show, drink, eat, and have an intellectual conversation (even few ones) on-line at the same time! Who can resist it?
As a psychologist and an expert of on-line dating I would like to give guys some helpful on-line dating tips. I start with a profile picture because that is what initially grabs our attention.
Profile picture:
Please don't put a picture of your chin or biceps. Even though it could be hot for someone who likes unshaved face or into body building, we prefer to see your face with a smile!
A picture of just one eye? Creepy...
A picture where you are hugging a hot girl? You know that she is your cousin or best friend. We don't. We assume she is your ex-girlfriend with whom you are still very close.
Picture with a beer can or glass of wine? Not for me, even though I love drinking wine.
Profile picture with a kid. It is cute and definitely sends us a message. Maybe too early a message. I met a guy who displayed a picture with his niece on it. Guess if he was desperate to have kids.
Picture where you are scuba diving, sailing, snowboarding. Very sporty but again we want to see your face.
Picture with sunglasses. Are you hiding something?
A pic where you are 10-15-20 years younger. Yes, you have more chances with it but at the end you have to meet in person. How would you explain your overnight aging? You are not Dorian Grey.
You in a Halloween or even Santa Clause costume. Some guys think this is funny. "I want to find someone with sense of humor. This girl will appreciate it." Well, not everyone into Elvis Presley.
Picture with a group of buddies. I always think the hottest guy is the guy from the profile and I am always wrong.
Picture of your dog, musical instrument or a fancy car? Is dating about you or your possessions?
Picture of a famous building. Maybe it will mean something for me if I am an artictectect.
Flag of a country you were born. Very patriotic but no.
No picture at all. Your profile has almost zero chances to be clicked.
