Are you having trouble finding a date online? If so, it may be because you’re making some simple mistakes with your profile and messaging strategy. We provided you with a few solutions to some of the most common online dating mistakes in a previous post, How to Fix the Most Common Online Dating Mistakes — Part I. In today’s post, we’ll continue to explore that same topic.
At ProfileHelper, we know that creating a great online dating profile can be difficult and confusing, and that’s why so many people reach out to our dating profile writers for help. With years of experience on the most popular dating sites, our staff will help you create the outgoing, results-driven profile you deserve.
Mistake #4: Shorthand 
Using too much shorthand almost guarantees that you won’t receive a response. As OkCupid pointed out in one of their earlier articles, words like “ur,” “realy,” “ya,” and “u” make a terrible first impression. In fact, messages containing those words garnered a reply rate of just 32 percent — ouch.
If you’re trying to make the best possible impression on a potential date, then make sure that your messages are polished and fully spelled out. Of course, you don’t want every message you send to have the cadence of a boring college lecture, but taking the time to fully spell out your words and check for spelling errors could greatly improve your chances of getting a response. (And just FYI, words like “haha” and “lol” actually improved the perceived quality of a message, perhaps because a good sense of humor is always a plus.)
Mistake #5: Bragging
If you’re trying to make yourself stand out from the crowd, then you’ve probably been trying to showcase your best qualities without bragging or coming off as arrogant. This isn’t a great strategy, as bragging is almost universally agreed to be a major turn-off. There’s an inherent tension here, as you might have just bought a new car that you’re particularly proud of, or perhaps you have a great story about the time you got to meet your favorite celebrity. Just remember that no matter what you write or upload to your profile, studies show that humility is perceived to be much more attractive than overconfidence and self-aggrandizement.
It’s completely expected if you’re having trouble showing off the highlights of your life without bragging, especially through a text- or picture-based medium. If you need some pointers, then get in touch with one of our dating profile writers for help. We’ll help you develop a personalized strategy that distinguishes your profile from the crowd.
Mistake #6: Physical Compliments
Another one of the most common, and perhaps counterintuitive, online dating mistakes is talking about someone’s looks when you’re initiating a conversation. You may be thinking that words like “sexy,” “gorgeous,” or “beautiful” are the perfect way to initiate a conversation, but the data collected by OkCupid definitely show that you’re significantly hurting your chances of receiving a response if you include these words in your messages.
Think about it this way: you’ve worked hard to create your profile and provide your audience with information about yourself, so how would you feel if you received a superficial compliment about the first picture on your profile?
If you want to give the other person a compliment, then take the time to actually read their profile and provide them with something more authentic.
Mistake #7: Never Actually Dating 
The purpose of online dating sites is to help you meet someone in real life, but many people are either afraid, or don’t know how, to transition from the online world to an in-person date.
If you’re enjoying your online chats or have even had a phone call or two, then take the next step and try to meet up for an offline date. You don’t want to give off the impression that you’re leading the other person on, and you certainly don’t want any chemistry you do have to fizzle out. Keep in mind that you’re both on an online dating platform, so don’t feel too nervous or apprehensive about asking for a date. If you would like further help with this step of the online dating process, then just reach out to one of our online dating coaches for advice that can give you the confidence you need to get that first date scheduled.
Are you ready to get started? Reach out to our dating profile writers today for the guidance you deserve!
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