| The following no-nonsense list was compiled | | | | See #1. Going incognito are we? Playing Joe |
| from interviews with long-time online daters | | | | Hollywood? Wearing sunglasses just suggests |
| and the business executives and support staff | | | | you have something to hide.7. You at the |
| of several major online dating services. | | | | party, head tossed back in laughter, beer in |
| What's the bottom line? The single most | | | | hand, having so much fun you make us puke. |
| important part of online dating is how you | | | | It's not that we believe that you get drunk |
| handle the simple act of representing | | | | and party 5 nights a week, but why should we |
| yourself with photos.1. Not posting a photo | | | | take the chance.8. Trusting your mother or |
| at all. Not posting a photo at all is | | | | brother to tell you which photos you should |
| arguably the most serious mistake. You must | | | | use online. Your mother thinks even your |
| have something to hide if your photo is a | | | | goofiest picture looks absolutely charming. |
| blank space. Trust us, everyone thinks so. | | | | Your view is biased, too. That favorite photo |
| And that jaundiced phrase "ask for my | | | | that you think looks really, really good |
| picture" is sounding pretty lame these days. | | | | might not. Instead, ask someone of the |
| Describing yourself in words is lame, too.2. | | | | opposite sex who you find attractive which |
| Posting a photo that is more than 2 or 3 | | | | photos you should use online. That's the |
| years old. If you are too much older than | | | | single most accurate measure of your photo's |
| your picture you've committed the sin of "age | | | | effectiveness. Why? Because when you post |
| shaving" online. This is guaranteed to put | | | | your photo online, you'll be impressing just |
| your relationship on shaky ground from the | | | | such people - or not impressing them - a |
| start and is usually an instant "deal | | | | thousand times a day.9. Showing too much |
| breaker." Ever wonder why that second date | | | | skin. This will get you just the wrong |
| never happens? It's a sure bet they won't | | | | responses if you're a woman, and usually no |
| tell you if you "age shaved".3. Is that | | | | responses at all if you're a man. There are |
| little figure in the background you? See # 1. | | | | exceptions, but not many.10. Using your |
| If your image is so small you can't be seen | | | | crappy snapshots because you think using |
| clearly you must be butt-ugly or have | | | | professional photos is "cheating". Using |
| something to hide. Lame. Get a real photo of | | | | professional quality photos is the first |
| yourself. We've already seen Yosemite - in | | | | thing online dating experts suggest you do if |
| person.4. Compromising by using a photo with | | | | you take your online dating seriously. You |
| a strange or goofy expression. If the only | | | | certainly don't trust your health, your |
| fairly close up, kinda' clear picture you | | | | vision or even your haircut to an amateur. So |
| have of yourself looks like you just smelled | | | | why trust your online image to one? Making a |
| something unmentionable, it's time for a | | | | lasting first impression with professional |
| better photo. Even prose by Shakespeare in | | | | photos is a sensible way to put your best |
| your profile can't overcome the awful first | | | | face forward.Merav KnafoMerav Knafo is the |
| impression created by a drunken, or worse, | | | | co-founder of LookBetterOnline offers an |
| that dreaded "deer in headlights" look.5. Is | | | | easy and economical solution to the problem |
| that you - or is the one on the left you - or | | | | of sub-standard online dating photos. |
| is the one in the background you? Why are you | | | | Available in over 6000 cities in the US and |
| kissing that strange-looking man on the | | | | Canada, all the photographers they employ are |
| cheek? Who is that man with his hand on your | | | | pre-screened, are specially trained and will |
| ass? Are those your parents? If we have to | | | | make you look your best! You get 12 great |
| guess or if you have to explain it in your | | | | images that are the perfect size and |
| profile text, it's too late. Try to avoid | | | | resolution for your profile - and for no |
| posting a photo with more people than you in | | | | additional charge, their staff will recommend |
| it, especially if the other person(s) are of | | | | the best photos to use!Do your photos do you |
| the opposite sex, even if you think the photo | | | | justice? |
| of you is good.6. Take off those sunglasses. | | | | |