by Julie Valin

Created on: December 18, 2009

So, you’ve made it here because you probably know that a large percentage of couples today have met using online dating services. Chances are, someone you know has had a successful online match (me being one of them, together seven years, blissfully married for almost five). Now it’s your turn!

Once you have settled on an online dating service that you feel comfortable with and whose selection of singles carries potential for you, it’s time to get to know yourself and create your very best profile! Here are some tips:

1. Get real. Yes, online profiles, or personal ads, are basically that — an advertisement for YOU. You want to put the best YOU out there and all of the aspects of you that will draw your potential love match to you. So show your personality and garnish your best qualities. And always be honest because the truth will eventually come out.

2. Post recent (and appropriate) pictures of yourself. If you are hesitant about posting a picture of yourself, consider this. Singles will pass up 90% of online ads solely based on the profile picture. Profiles with no photo will be completely disregarded. So represent yourself honestly and make the best first impression you can. Posting photos that have been digitally altered or a few years old (and a few pounds lighter) will get you nowhere in the end, and will only be a waste of your time and others. And women—no bathing suit shots on the beach! Men—no shirtless photos! Ewwww!

3. Post more than one recent picture of yourself. Not only should you post one picture of yourself, you should ideally post about three. Any more than that gives the appearance of conceit. But any less will not show potential matches that the one photo wasn’t just a fluke. In other words, providing more than one photo could include the one photo that sparks interest if the first one doesn’t.

4. Don’t use clichés. I think I can safely say that we’ve had enough of “I like candle-lit dinners and long walks on the beach.” If you want to get the point across that you like romantic dates, say it in a creative way: “I like to be surprised by take-out on Tuesdays with a glass of wine out on the porch,” or “Let’s explore all of the Northern California beaches together.” Be yourself, but embellished with thoughtful insights into what you love, and what you hope to find in love.

5. Be positive and clear. Steer clear from negativity and self-deprecating

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