You more than likely know this from your own experiences online, but it is worth repeating here again: a good profile picture is the most important thing about your profile! While we all like to think we are not shallow, a profile picture is your one chance, to attract interest at a glance. When you click through someone’s profile pages, what often tips the balance in your favour are the pictures you have put up.
Be yourself
Take a photo which really expresses your own personality. Do not try to be someone else – because if you are meeting the person you feel attracted to for the first time, he or she will see straight away through your rouse. Take a new, up-to-date portrait picture which you think really shows who you are.
Don’t be too sexy
Always keep in mind that if you are looking for a long-term relationship, kinky or erotic pictures are not what other people want to see when they try to find a potential partner as well. You might give the impression of having just one thing in mind when looking for someone. Moreover, it seems disingenuous and a bit desperate as well. This should be obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people get this most important part wrong. Let me spell this out for you:
- Do not send pictures of your penis, unless specifically asked.
- So you have a six-pack? Well done, and keep your shirt on. Women have an uncanny ability to detect fitness without you forcing it on them.
- Cleavage attracts creeps
- Do not only upload pictures of you and your beautiful friends. It's you they are interested in.
- Do not upload badly edited photos where your ex is crudely cut out
A friendly smile
People who look very friendly in pictures have a better chance to get a message from others than those who have a serious face, or worse still, a "duck face" pose. Go for a nice picture of you in which you are showing your best smile! This shows that you are a sympathetic, open and friendly person. And this is what your profile picture should transmit – a positive first impression!
