In my previous article, I covered some of the general points regarding your online dating profile photo. In this article, I would like to give you some more specific tips and pointers regarding your profile photo. So let’s get straight to the pointers.

• Don’t ever put up a picture in which you have cut out another person. If this really is the only picture you’ve got, or some outdated photo from your past, you need to modernize.
• If you post a picture of yourself in a compromising position, it’s going to cause you to appear less than ideal. If you wish to look like that, or perhaps appeal to that kind of individual, there are many other websites for that kind of thing. Most dating sites cater to people who are looking for romance or serious relationships. If you are looking for a “hookup,” you should probably try an adult dating site.
• Women: if you are searching for a one night stand then a photograph showing plenty of cleavage may well get the job done, but normally it is best to exhibit a good physique in a more understated way. Guys: a cap screams “I’m concealing my thinning hair,” so keep that in your mind.
• Find a great photo of you performing one of your favorite activities or perhaps while in front of a well known landmark. As long as the picture is distinct and current, use as much imagination as you like.
• People like to see what a person looks like so try a current picture of yourself. Do not use a photograph from your graduation a decade ago.
• Photographs displaying natural views of you, or photos with you exhibiting your personality, such as pictures in which you are smiling broadly, are generally favored. Avoid using photos cropped from larger ones. If possible, post a photo of yourself with an attractive friend or friends. It shows that you are sociable and self-assured around others.
• Ask a friend for advice if you’re not sure if the photograph looks good. A good friend will give you an honest, objective opinion.
• Single ladies need to see an accurate representation of what you look like. If you have digitally improved your picture in order to touch up a number of gray hairs or airbrushed your freckles, your first date could be your last.

You should always keep in mind that your online profile photos are the most important part of your profile. Women will read your profile, but they look at the picture first, and if there is no picture, or if the picture doesn’t appeal to them in some way, they will move on to the next profile.

I have more to say about online dating profile photos, so be sure to check out my next article. Also, if you’re looking for more advice about your online dating profile, read my articles on profile essays and headlines.

Your online dating profile will be the very first peek into your appearance and personality that a potential date gets. It is the first, and it could be the last if you write a boring and typical headline like 99% of people out there. That is why you must make yourself stand out in the huge crowd of prospective mates on most dating sites.

The first thing to consider when building your online dating profile is the headline. Some sites do not have headlines and some do. If you post a profile on a dating site that does have headlines, you need to write something that will catch the eye of any prospective mate. Wouldn’t it be a shame if someone wonderful passed you by because of a boring headline?

Begin with an appealing or engaging headline. The very first item any person who views your profile will see, along with your image  (which I’ll comment on soon),  is your online dating profile headline.

One thing you can do in your search for the ideal headline is to create a few different headlines and try them on different online dating websites . Monitor the responses you receive and replace ones that don’t work with those that do.

Stay away from corny headlines like “I may be the one you are searching for. Quite a few online dating profiles contain catch phrases such as this, yet you might be regarded as being no different from everybody else and for that reason you won’t be prominent.

You should never have a suggestive headline. As an alternative, you might try something similar to, “Starting fresh and prepared for brand new experiences.” This isn’t suggestive and will not give people the wrong sense of you.

It’s a good idea to ask a friend to look over your online dating profile, and pay attention to what that friend has to say about your headline. It’s always helpful to get a second or even a third opinion. It can be difficult to view your headline objectively. A friend who knows you well can be objective and help you to write a good headline.

That couple of seconds someone spends reading your headline will very much influence whether they read the rest of your profile or click away. Don’t try to come off strange or odd unless you’re looking for someone who is strange or odd. The very last thing you want to do is sound desperate.

In my next article I discuss the importance of your online dating profile photo.