A Gay Personals Ad Checklist
by Robin Forbes
I mentioned in a previous article that I'd tell you more about the sign up forms that you'll typically see at an online dating service - the ones that make your personal ad profile...
These days the process consists of filling out a very long form, (at most sites) or series of forms that can seem quite daunting. The purpose of all these questions is to help create a searchable database, so that people can narrow their search for the perfect mate.
Fear not though, as most of the forms consist of simple multiple choice questions and answers. So, instead of typing out your vital stats, and any vital stats that your partner should have, you'll just have to click on boxes next to fields such as, "blue eyes, red-head, muscular, stud-budgie, etc..."
Before you sign up at your first, (or your second, or third) matchmaking service, it helps to go prepared.
Pre Personal Ad Signup Check List:
- Recent Photographs
Get a couple of good, up to date photos of yourself to upload to the matchmaking site of your choice. This is one of the major bonuses about online personal ads, you get to upload at no extra charge, (most places) pictures of yourself.
Photographs are really important as they improve the odds over all the other guys who have chosen not to reveal what they look like or who they are. It shows that you're serious, and it gives people a chance to get a better idea of what you look like. Most personals sites agree that the guys with the pictures get more views and responses.
At Match.com, "Guys are 14 times more likely to look at a profile with a photo; and members with photos get contacted seven times more often than members without".
The amount of photos, size, and how erotic the photographs may be all depend on the personals site in question. However, two or three photos of yourself, (keep your friends out of the picture) in natural poses with clothing on should be sufficient.
Keep any erotic shots for later on, if someone asks for one. Unless of course you're strictly going for sex - in which case you'll need two or three money shots sans clothing.
Either way, the photos need to be in JPEG, (.JPG) format and should be about 1.5mb or less.
- Your Vital Stats or Profile
Get your details together, make sure that they match both you and your picture, (you are posting a picture - right.)Seriously, don't let your vanity get in the way, it's stupid.
Sooner or later you're going to want to meet some of the guys that respond to your ad or vice versa. When that day comes, you're both going to want to meet some semblance of the guy you each think you're meeting.
It's happened to me a couple of times and I was not impressed by the guys' deception.
- Jot down some notes about yourself
Personal ad sites often give you lots of room to tell the world about yourself, and they often also have a shorter section where you briefly introduce yourself by way of a short teaser. So, it's a good idea to have a few ideas prepared beforehand.
Grab a notepad, or open up your word processor and jot down some quick notes about yourself. Don't write a novel or essay; in fact don't even worry about spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Just jot down in point form the unique features that make you the fantastic guy you are.
Get that straight. You are a unique and fantastic guy with a lot to offer, so tell us about yourself. What makes you tick, what makes you special...?
- Jot down some notes about the type of guy you're looking for
There are several reasons why I think you should also write down some notes about who you're looking for.
Firstly, it helps to clarify in ones mind, just what one is looking for. Things to consider include, the type of relationship you're seeking, physical attributes - do they matter, social, education and economic status - do they matter, health status, lifestyle choices, etc...
Decide which circumstances matter to you and jot them down. Often you'll be given multiple choice options to fill out when you're completing your online personal ad. Secondly, these notes also give you more fodder for the written portion of your personal ad.
- Putting it all together
Once, you've got some notes; put it together into sentence form, by briefly introducing yourself, perhaps recapping a few of your vital stats, tell the reader what's special about you and what you have to offer.
Go on to tell the reader what you're looking for in the way of a mate and then close the ad with an invitation to the reader to reply to your ad.
The length or amount of space you're given for the written portion varies greatly. However, being brief and to the point is always a good idea - not too brief though. A short paragraph isn't enough; three or four paragraphs are ideal.
You should give just enough information to entice and pre-qualify your prospective matches to decide if they want to contact you to find out more.
After you've done some brainstorming and a bit of prep it's time to hit some matchmaking sites to post your ad. Check out the matchmaking sites that I'm recommending.
Wishing you joy and success in your online matchmaking experiences!
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