Profile Perfection

Don't let your surprisingly still-available pal get lost in the sea of great catches. Think like a publicist and use these tips to create the ultimate recommendation.


by Daisy Carrington


Tip 1: Get a Good Pic. As you might remember from the B.C. era (Before Commitment, that is), your mate's physical details were probably the first to attract. Maybe you fell for her baby blues, or his lumberjack hands -- perhaps you found his crooked tooth endearing. It may not have been logical, but the difference between "take a hike" and "take a seat" had something to do with one's looks. Our advice? Take your catch to the park, borrow a digital camera, and snap at least 30 pics. Sound easy? It is, but to guarantee a good-looking photo, try these tactics:

• Style the shoot. Fix his hair (put some gel in it), gloss her lips, and make sure they're wearing a good color for their complexion (when in doubt: black for women, blue for men).
• Crack a joke. A good smile, not too big or small, will make him or her seem more open (and available). Almost like they're saying, "Hey."
• Move in. Take a variety of poses and angles (head slightly turned, shoulders back) to see what works best. Close-ups are attention-grabbers and best for the signature image.
• Reduce red eye. Don't let your otherwise perfect picture be ruined by unsightly, glowing red eyes. Find good natural light and turn off your flash -- it's often the cause.

Tip 2: Be Specific. Now, promote his or her personality. Don your Jane Austen hat and put some effort into making the description come alive so the person reading it feels connected. The secret? It's all in the details. Forget "She loves dogs and long hikes." Everybody does. Instead, write, "She once went to an animal hospital and saved a basset hound named Bessie." Pretend you're talking to the person with whom you'd most love to set him or her up. If you said, "He's tall, funny, and handsome," it wouldn't get you a great response, right? But your friend would probably jump at the chance if you said, "He's so tall you think he'd be great at basketball but he's really not; his imitation of Arnold Schwarzenegger makes me laugh so hard I cry. . ." Adjectives alone don't do the trick. You need to give your catch a voice.

Tip 3: Show Off a Nice Side. Sure, there's always something enticing about a rebel. Rebels don't give a damn about society, and that's sexy. But that doesn't make for a great boyfriend or girlfriend. Seems obvious, but worth the reminder: Don't give anyone a reason to bag your recommendee from the start -- no obvious baggage (e.g., he still lives with his momma), no unreliable characteristics (she's so much fun she can't even keep a job), and no semblances of superficiality (refrain from talking about his extensive grooming routine, please).

Tip 4: Don't Fudge the Facts. Believe it or not, honesty sells -- people can see right through profile BS (and you don't want to be known as a shady seller), so lay it out in a truthful, enticing, and alluring way. When you do, the person seems more real, and your catch becomes more attractive. If there's a particular trait or descriptive quality that you think may make your great boyfriend/girlfriend seem less great, spin it into a positive. Think interview etiquette: anal = attention to detail; flaky = spontaneous. But don't feel like you have to edit someone's background too much. If she's divorced, it will come out. If he's a devout Catholic, he'll probably reveal this sooner than later. If you feel that your ex-girlfriend was too much of a nester, to another man this might mean stability. After all, what drives one person to the brink of breakup may drive another toward ecstasy.

Source: Relationship expert E. Jean