Rosalind's Dating Site Reviews:Personal Ad Writing
Latest Entries in the Personal Ad Writing Category
True Story: Her witty profile got my attention
Personally, I never thought I’d be writing a letter like this for two reasons: First, I always found them cheesey, sappy and self-gratifying. Second, I didn’t think I’d ever find my perfect mate, let alone using an online dating service. While I still think I’m right about the first part, I have been proven wrong on the second.
I posted a profile on Match.com in March, with the idea that I’d do it for a short time and then leave. I’d tried Match.com a couple of years before with mostly good experiences, so I thought I would try again.
Then I saw her ad — witty, self-effacing, not someone blindly searching for a Prince Charming that doesn’t exist in real life. Turns out she was doing it as research for her work, not even really looking for a date. No picture, but her profile caught my eye. I sent her an email and got a response, mainly on my picture, which is best described as a “Dr. Strangelove” pose (her reaction — “Oh, I gotta meet this guy”). Needless to say, the rest is history. We got engaged last August and are planning our wedding for June in Los Angeles. Now my single friends who made fun of me for trying internet dating are asking me which site we used. We weren’t looking for true love, but we definitely found it.
Read more Match.com True Stories or create one of your own!
How to Write a Personal Ad
The most frequent complaints men share with The Sage about internet dating are that women don’t respond to their ads or their email. You can avoid both these problems by following a few simple guidelines while writing your free ad and your responses.
Most women on the other hand aren’t impressed by over-zealous, sexually suggestive comments.
Here are 8 ideas which will help you write a better personal ad that attracts attention and gets responses!
- BE HONEST. The fastest way to ruin what might have been a beautiful friendship is to lie. Hide the fact that you are a single parent of 5 year-old triplets, and miss a chance to find the person who wants to love them and share your parental joys.
Dishonesty will always be caught sooner or later. Allow others to make informed decisions about what they will and will not accept, based on an honest representation of yourself.
As a fit person you would likely be disappointed to learn that the woman you’ve been writing for the last month weighs 250 pounds, and not l25 as stated.
Be truthful and avoid the pain, heartache, disappointment and separation caused by dishonesty. Open yourself to incredible happiness by allowing others to love you as you are, for who you are.
- CREATE A ‘GRABBER’. A ‘grabber’ is an attention-getting headline which stands out above the rest and demands to be read. There are many, many ‘DWM’s, 44, seeking love’ out there. Be different, even if you ARE a ‘DWM, 44, seeking love’.Check out the competition. What attracts your attention to their ads? Note those which stand out have clarity and are original, personal, and direct. What can you say about yourself in a single sentence which makes you irresistible to the opposite sex?
If you truly seek love and long-term commitment, comments here about length, size and shape of ‘physical’ attributes are a turn-off to women who seek men of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual substance. Pornographic headlines are not accepted into the database. If you are well-endowed with a fabulous sense of humour, use it! Nothing attracts so quickly as laughter and goodwill.
- BE SPECIFIC. You know who you are and what you want..tell them about it! Almost everyone seems to enjoy ‘moonlit walks, candlelight dinners, and strolls on the beach’. Be specific about values held and sought, in addition to naming hobbies and interests. If you know your soulmate is a Buddhist, say so. If you are adamant about remaining childless, convey that too. State your willingness to travel. Your online buddy in Paris may not respond when they see that you live in Rio – if you fail to mention that geographic location is no barrier. What is your personal mantra? Share it. The woman who understands and appreciates it best, is the one who will reply.
- BE POSITIVE. Negativity repels. You may elicit an offer from a counselling service if you project a woebegone, or suicidal attitude, but you probably won’t attract your soulmate. Let your natural exuberance and zest for life shine through in your writing.
- BEST FOOT FORWARD. You wouldn’t (hopefully) show up on a first date unwashed and unkempt, would you? Likewise, if your spelling skills are somewhat lacking, consult a dictionary before submitting your otherwise artfully crafted and well-thought-out ad.
- BE HONEST, BE HONEST, BE HONEST. One aspect which cannot be over-stated!!
It’s easy. Just follow a ‘do onto others’ approach, and your Internet dating experience will be hugely rewarding.
Sample Personal Ad
The following is a REAL personal ad which generated several hundred responses in a few short months. The writer is a VERY happy (and busy) individual indeed!!
“A classic Sag, born in a pig year, I am happy to be me, and this site IS ‘under construction’ each and every day.
Happiness is being in the moment, and having health, peace of mind and love. Breathing is very, very good, so are flexibility and movement.
Joy is found everywhere…in family, friends, work, and play; snowflakes, clouds and mountains; bears, birds, trees and flowers; really fine Belgian truffles and an occassional black lager.
Ecstasy will be connecting and becoming one with you.
You understand what I said above, who I am, what I want.YOU know who you are and what you want. You set goals and achieve what you want. You are fit, active, and intelligent. You enjoy a rewarding & challenging career.You embrace the dark as well as the light. You feel and express emotion freely and with sensitivity. You refuse to carry another’s emotional baggage, and yet are empathetic. You speak honestly and act with integrity. You compromise only what you do, not who you are. You love yourself and want to share your wants and needs with a partner.
The light within shines in your eyes and you are radiant in every way.
So am I.
Let’s connect.”
If you want to achieve similar Internet Dating success, think about what is important to you…what you want and who you are. Then start writing!