Writing a Profile Text: Explanation, Tips and Examples

It’s hard, it’s awkward, it’s annoying, but it’s essential: writing a profile text. You’re not the only one staring blankly at the screen, thinking about everyone who tells you, “Online dating is easy.” But now that you’re taking on the weirdest writing project ever, you’re wondering what the hell you’ve gotten yourself into.

Unlike cover letters, this one is not about your professional qualities. Not about your carefully constructed resume . Or about the work experience you have gained. It’s about your love life.

Most men and women find it a frustrating task to write about themselves. Sure, you need compelling photos, but those who are really looking – those you want to meet – will look beyond a pretty face and read your profile text. But what should you write? What do you tell about yourself? And how?

The anatomy of a dating profile

A dating profile is the modern version of a newspaper advertisement. Only you are not a used car salesman or selling beds. You are selling yourself. The car salesman wants to attract eager customers to his company, you invite potential candidates to like you or send a message. The advertisement you use to do this is your dating profile , consisting of:

• Your photos
• Your profile text
• Your additional information (details vary per dating site)

When someone visits your profile, your photos are the key. The best photos on your profile provide the soft sell ; it invites them to read the profile text. Only when your photos pass the inspection does your text get attention. And just like your photos, the text can also be a dealbreaker. The extra information is nice, but not crucial. Unless you mention a few major turn-offs.

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As attractive as your worst photo

Remember that in the eyes of the viewer, you are only as attractive as your worst photo. You may look super attractive in 5 out of 6 photos, but if that sixth photo is unattractive, that is the photo that defines your attractiveness. And that can lose you your match at the last minute.

This is not how it should be

Where the photos entice potential candidates to request more information, it is the profile text that must realize the sale. For many, it is the most difficult part of a dating profile. Because how do you “sell” yourself to all those potential candidates? How do you make the hard sell so that they immediately swipe right or send a message?

Whether it’s Tinder, Badoo , Bumble, Parship or one of the many others, your profile text is where the deal is sealed. Realizing this, many choose to actually sell themselves. Forced, arrogant and self-righteous profile texts that would make used car salesmen feel ashamed are the result, such as the following:

“I am Jack. I have a good job and worked hard for it. But now I have something to be proud of: a lot of money, a big house and status. That is why I have an extreme amount to offer. The only thing missing is that one special person by my side. I am a go-getter, easy to get along with and nice to everyone.”

Or in the shortened version:

“Hi, I’m Jack. This is me:

• Good job
• Lots of money
• Status
• Perseverer
• Easy-going
• Nice

I am looking for a nice, sweet woman.”

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Jack doesn’t say who he is

Jack is like many other men. He tells you what he thinks women want to hear. He only mentions the selling points. He tells you why he is so well-suited to be a provider. But he doesn’t tell you:

• what job he has.
• what he did to get that job.
• what his drive is.
• why he is nice to everyone.
• why he wants to find that one special person.
• who he really is.

Write the wrong profile text and you’re not only shutting out your perfect matches, but also all other potential candidates. And while you may not realize it, an empty inbox is a constant reminder of what’s wrong with your profile. It’s not the dating site’s fault, it’s your profile. While it’s tempting to leave that bit of text blank and just rely on your gorgeous vacation photos, you’re missing out on a chance to win someone over.

Write the right profile text and you’ll run out of time to respond to the overwhelming number of messages in your inbox. A bit of an exaggeration, but the profile text can really make a difference. Because if someone is hesitant to swipe right based on your appearance, they’ll use the profile text to make a decision. And almost all of your matches will read it before responding to your message. Wouldn’t it be nice if a little bit of text could give you the benefit of the doubt?

This is the goal

With a good profile text you sell yourself without selling yourself. So no listing of all your qualities and reasons why you are so good as a partner (or date). Tell something about yourself that the person you are looking for can identify with. Something nice and funny that intrigues this person and makes them curious to know more about you. Because if the right person reads your profile text, you don’t have to sell anything.

You are already exactly what he or she is looking for. You just have to show it by writing it down. Don’t be afraid to show your true colors. There is no perfect profile text that will convince everyone to send you a message. The goal is one message from the person you are looking for. Your profile text is a springboard to a conversation.

This is your chance to be creative and appeal to specific desires in the person you want to find. Forget the average person on a dating site, speak to the person you want to reach with your ad… ahem, dating profile.

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Step-by-step plan and examples

Before you start writing a profile text, it is useful to know what the standard is on the app or dating site where you are active. Some apps have profiles with a limit of 300 characters, others offer space for an essay. In addition to the maximum length of the profile text that is imposed by the app or website, you also do not want to write a much longer or shorter text than others.

A simple formula for writing a profile text is this:

1. Come up with a good, funny opening.
2. Tell us something about your work.
3. Give a snapshot of (the interesting part of) your life.
4. Describe what you are looking for.

Singles subconsciously look at what is different in your profile, compared to all other profiles. What makes you different? What can you say that will immediately grab attention? And how can you put a smile on the face of the person reading it?

Tinder example (max. 500 characters)

Did you know that 94% of men on Tinder can’t touch their toes while standing? I can.

Hi, I’m Jack. Not the only gym teacher with a six pack, but the only teacher who gets high fives from his students and doesn’t check homework in the evening. And yes, that also means I have 6 weeks of summer vacation.

Enough time to explore the world. So… pack your bags, we’re going to… Your choice: jetset life in Saint Tropez, sand eating in Egypt or culture sniffing in Athens?

Dating site example (max. 300 words)

Let me guess…

You already have the necessary baggage. This whole online dating thing is not what you want, because you would rather meet someone in the supermarket. I get that. And honestly? Me too.

Hi, I’m Jack. I don’t look like Ryan Gosling. I didn’t volunteer in Madagascar. And honestly? Big fish are too scary to pose with. What I’m trying to say is… I’m not perfect. And I don’t expect you to be either.

What am I? During the week I go through life as a dating consultant. It gives me a good feeling to see how lonely people change into radiant bon vivants. People sometimes ask me what I do. And then I say: “I predict the future”. As a dating consultant I don’t need a crystal ball. I put photos of people next to each other on the table, no tarot cards. But what I mainly do from Monday to Friday is look forward to Saturday and Sunday.

Because then the serious clothes come off and I jump into the deep end. Literally, because I like to swim. Preferably with a diving tank on my back to discover the lost treasures of the Rhine. So far it has only been half bicycle wrecks and rusted car parts, but hey… I don’t give up hope.

Another babe I’m looking for is intelligent, creative, and a family person. Does that sound like you? I’ll admit that sometimes with a bit of luck I can tell other people’s futures, but I’m not a psychic. So, if you think we might click…

Send me a message!

For example, open your profile text with a funny anecdote about how clumsy you are or a romantic idea of ​​how you live or would like to live. Nothing is too crazy if you do it in a funny way. Adding humor can also give you a head start; an edge over others. It is easy to read and shows that you can make someone laugh, even if it is a quick smile over a smartphone screen.

As everyone knows, humor is one of the most attractive qualities. And it is the best way to show that you have humor. After all, a funny anecdote is more credible evidence of a good sense of humor than using the words “I am funny.”

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The 70/30 rule

On the classic dating sites with extensive profiles – such as Parship and Lexa – singles take more time to describe themselves. As a result, the profile texts on these dating sites are on average a lot longer and quite detailed. On these types of dating sites, there is a rule that ensures more success: the 70/30 rule.

70% about you, 30% about who you’re looking for

Researchers have investigated which dating profiles get the best response and have come to an interesting conclusion: the combination of describing who you are and who you are looking for yields the highest response rate. The ratio they mention? 70/30.

Do’s

1. Relax, take your time.
2. Think in details, not in general.
3. Tell a story.
4. Be reasonable in your expectations.
5. Use a call to action (Send a message!).
6. One-liners and questions that scream for a response.
7. Keep it simple.
8. Check your profile text.
9. Have someone else read it.

Don’ts

1. Don’t use too many emojis.
2. Don’t be too demanding.
3. Don’t say what you DON’T want.
4. Don’t try to define yourself.
5. Avoid clichés.
6. Don’t be boring.
7. Don’t write negative things.
8. Do not use lists.

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Unintended signals

If you were to read this simple sentence, would you immediately notice that something is wrong? The word ‘simple’ should of course be ‘simple’, in this case a deliberate spelling error. In this way, everyone unintentionally gives off signals that are judged. In the case of the spelling error, we immediately make the link with the (low) level of education.

On the one hand, this means you should always triple-check your copy before you use it, but it also means that unintentional cues are a powerful way to show who you are. Without saying it in words. And you should take advantage of that.

I wake up before the alarm.

Confident, get-up-and-go type, morning person.

I always try to fix problems myself before I realize that everyone has their own job.

Sense of humor, willing to ask for help, not afraid to get his hands dirty.

…and I’ll trade my famous chicken salon recipe for your Spotify playlist.

Listens to music, cooks, healthy eater.

Writing a profile text is hard. But it’s only the first step in the process. Once you’ve captured attention, you still have to keep it. And no matter how well you craft your profile text… if your messages tell a completely different story, you won’t get very far.

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