When you attempt to write an online dating profile, you are basically attempting to turn yourself into a two dimensional being. You cannot possibly convey every little nuance of your personality into a few basic questions. It can be very intimidating to answer a question like "describe yourself". What part of yourself? What exactly are you supposed to put there? Yet, if you don't get it right you will find yourself dateless. But never fear, creating a successful and interesting online dating profile is not that scary.
After the basic questions of where you live, how old you are, and whether you're male or female you'll be asked to create a handle. Or in other words, a username. Very few online sites will let you use your first name which is actually a good thing since it further protects your privacy and is a good security measure. Your username needs to be something interesting since this is usually the first thing people will see about you. Something flirty without being too sexual or raunchy. But it shouldn't be too long or hard to pronounce either. This is something you will want people to know you by since all the other singles will refer to you by your username until you tell them otherwise. Try and relate this to your personality, looks or hobbies in some way. Perhaps you have lovely blue eyes, start there. Or reference a favorite song or movie, this will definitely attract interest.
Next up is usually the tag line, this is a lot like the username in that it gives you a small space to attract a potential date's interest. On most sites your tag line will appear next to your picture, but on some speed dating sites the tag line is all you have to attract interest to your profile. Fortunately, unlike usernames, tag lines are easily changed to whatever is most relevant to you at the time. Popular tag lines are quotes from people you admire or lines from songs and movies. If you look at a few dating sites you'll see that you are not the only one with that idea. Don't be surprised to see at least one "I'm the one your mother warned you about." Instead try for something lighthearted and funny, one liners are a good place to start. Laughter is a great way to bring people right to your profile. Racy tag lines are really only appropriate for sites that are geared more toward finding a date for the night.
You now need to figure out exactly what you are looking for. Obviously you're looking to date someone new or you wouldn't be putting up the profile in the first place. There are different types of relationships and you need to know what you want so you can attract the right kind of potential date. If you put up that you are looking for a serious relationship, anyone looking for a "casual encounter" will probably keep looking and save you the trouble of telling them no.
The most important, and probably the most difficult, portion of your profile is the "all about you" essay. It may be called something else but all dating sites require you to write a paragraph or two all about you and what you are looking for. If this is too much for you try an online speed dating site since they generally don't require them. Write down everything that's important to you. Your hobbies, work, family, interests. Pick a few of those things that you think are the most important and interesting. Now look at these things a little closer. Do any of those things imply that you spend a lot of time at one particular place or doing one particular thing? Write a few sentences about why that is important to you. Try not to focus too much on looks, it might make you seem shallow if 95% of the essay is about how hot you are and there's a sentence or two on interests. Another great idea is writing a fictitious example of what you would consider a great date with Mr. or Ms. Perfect.
Now look over your finished work and make sure that it truly does reflect who you are. Don't lie or exaggerate. Present yourself exactly as you are. If a potential date doesn't like it, they can move right along. Once you're happy with it you are ready to meet your future mate.