I rewrote my first dating profile about eleven times. Too serious. Too jokey. Too much about the kids. Not enough about the kids. In the end I realised I was overthinking it...and the version that worked was the one that simply sounded like me.
Start with your photos
Photos are the first thing people look at, so make them count.
- Use a recent, clear photo of your face as your main picture. Smile if you can.
- Add a couple that show what you enjoy, like a walk, a hobby or a favourite place.
- Skip group shots where it's hard to tell which one is you.
- Keep your children out of your photos. It protects their privacy, and it's what most parents prefer to see too.
Write like you talk
Imagine you're chatting to someone at a friend's barbecue. What would you tell them about yourself? Write that. Short sentences are fine. Humour is great if it comes naturally.
Be proud of being a parent
On Mums Date Dads, everyone's a parent, so you don't need to hide it or apologise for it. A line like "Dad of two, part time football taxi" says a lot in a few words. You don't need to share names, ages or details about your children. Just enough to show it's part of who you are.
Say what you're looking for
Are you after friendship first, something relaxed or a long term relationship? You don't need to write a wish list, but a sentence about what you'd love to find helps the right people say hello.
Give people something to reply to
The best profiles make it easy to start a conversation. Mention a favourite Sunday, a TV series you've binged or the best holiday you've had. Specifics are much easier to respond to than "I like going out and staying in".
A quick checklist
- Recent photos, face clearly visible
- A few lines about you, not just your job
- A hint of what makes you smile
- What you're hoping to find
- No personal details like your address, workplace or surname
Keep it fresh
Update your profile every few weeks. A new photo or a tweak to your bio shows you're active, and it's a nice excuse to look at it with fresh eyes. Most of all, be yourself. The right person will like you for exactly that.
