Free Report #1 - Secrets to Creating a Great Online Ad

Realize this. Success in anything, including online dating, requires thought and planning. With that in mind, let's get serious.

The first thing to do is find a good photo of yourself. This is the year 2001. There is NO REASON for a person to not be able to get a decent photo of him or herself into the dang computer. Digital cameras are cheap, flatbed scanners are cheap, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Walgreens, and Kroger have photo processing centers where you can get a roll of film developed and have the photos put on a CD-ROM. As a last resort, they have a flatbed scanner at these things that will scan your photo and put it on a disk for only a couple of dollars. For less than the price of your lunch!

You have to have a photo. On almost every service, having a photo with your ad will place you at the top of the list of results when somone does a search. This is very important becaues the top of any list on the Internet gets the most clicks. With a photo you will get more responses and typically, those responses you do get will be of a higher quality in that they will not run away after you finally email them a photo. You have nothing to hide. No one will make fun of you. All of God's children are beautiful. Online dating is now socially acceptable. Where else do you find a rich geek who has IPO'd? Studies have shown that successful couples are physically attracted to each other. There is such a thing as love-at-first-sight. There is something about the geometry between the eyes, nose, lips, and other facial features that trigger those "love" hormones and elicit an emotional response. A photo is a must. If you cannot bring yourself to include it in your ad, say that you have one available and make it clear that you expect the same from all respondents.

If at all possible, steer away from photos where your ex-wife/husband/prom date was obviously cut out of the photo. Choose a photo which does not include other people. Other people of the same sex confuse the person reading your ad as to which one is you and distract attention from you. People of the opposite sex in your photo, even if it's your grandpa, say that you are already in a relationship. A "mug shot" or a "bust" photo like you would find in a high school yearbook usually is best. You want your head big enough that your good-looking-ness is easy to see. Yet small enough that wrinkles and blemishes are not noticeable. Most people really want to see your eyes. They do not want to see you as a dot in front of a beautiful Cancun panorama. Clear facial features and the eyes trigger than emotional response. And THAT is certainly what you are after.

Guys, forget the photos with sunglasses and no shirt unless you are posting your ad in an "Adult Situations" area. Ladies, most guys think that the "Glamour Shots" photos are hokey! It is not your real hair, it's been poofed up for that photo sitting. It is not your real face, they pile on the makeup for the camera! And often, it's not even your own clothes because they provide sexy outfits or you are wearing a something formal that we'll never see you wearing.

And put down the beer can too. Drunk, party pictures with you and friends hanging from the rafters, are not going to help get you a good mate. Unless you want a mate that is a power drinker and is good at hanging from rafters, then go for it. Who am I to stop you. For a select few, if you really are a model, it is probably a good idea to use one of your professional photos and mention that you are a model in your ad.

Ok, now you have picked out a couple of photos or taken one with your camera or digital camera. Let's get to the inner you. What are you about? What do you do? What is the one activity outside of work that you frequently do and is something you are passionate about? This might be a special trait that you can build upon. So start offline in your word processor. Before you go online, use a spellchecker and if it is available, grammar check. A simple typo can make you look like a total fool.

You will need a three to six word headline to describe yourself and draw people in to read your ad. Try and be a little catchy and creative with the headline. Make people WANT to click and read your ad. Do you have a motto or a favorite quote that you are known for saying? Use it! Totally give away a small piece of your personality in the headline.

Let's say you are an avid snow skier. Make your handle or alias tie in the ski theme. Skibunny1. Ad Headline: I won't fall down on you! Ad Headline #2: Let me lift you up! Ad Headline #3: Let's warm up in the lodge with some hot cocoa! You get the idea?

In the text of your ad you do not want to ever mention your last name, the street you live on, your phone number, your business email address or any personal information that can identify you in real life with the exception of your photo. Get a special email address from another service provider just for online dating and check it often. It can get old but check it every day, and at the least every other day. Yahoo, Hotmail and a host of other companies like the Luv Rhino provide free email addresses and you use your Internet browser to read and send mail.

It is a good idea to start your ad with the usual. Height, weight, hair description, age, kids, pets, smoking habits, drinking habits, drug habits, what city you live in or regions that you frequently travel. Many of these things are simply "deal killers" for people reading your ad and you save them some time right off the bat. (i.e. I'm allergic to cats, so that can be a real problem in a serious relationship leading to serious co-habitation.)

This is a good time to mention just a couple of your emotion traits. Are you a "Type-A" or real laid-back. Are you bubbly and outgoing or do you prefer a good book and a comfortable lawn chair. Be honest. Focus on positive traits. Create a list that you can work from. (see below) It might not be good to say that you are bossy or heavily sarcastic.

Pretend you are asking someone else questions and answer them yourself in your ad. Ask open ended questions that will get you talking or writing about yourself. Remember, be specific. Everyone likes movies. It's not news to say that you like movies. Say that you just saw Sixth Sense and it kept you on the edge of your seat and you loved it.

Do you have a special memory, experience or motto that you can include? Steer away from the negative memories. We do not need to know that you were beat by your spouse for five years right now. But that time with your brothers kids at the beach building the sand castle and the little girl wanted to eat the sand, now that's positive and interesting if you give more details.

Next, tell us what YOU desire in a mate. What are the physical traits? What are the emotional traits?

Follow into your theme that we defined above. We want to know why you are an interesting person. Tell us what you like. Why you like to do it. What level of performance or experience you are at. When you first did it. "I'm a real ski bunny. I hit the slopes every chance I get. Black Diamond's are my favorite! Moguls slow me down I like to feel the rush of the wind as I swoosh down the slope." You get the idea.

Can you tell us a little about your dog/cat or children without giving out information that could give away your identity?

What was your childhood like. Did you grow up in a city or a rural area. Lots of brothers and sisters or the only child? Oldest? Youngest?

Finally, never, ever lie. If it becomes real, you will get caught and the other person will probably run like a scared rabbit. I know I would.

In summary, give a little but not too much. Keep them wanting more. Do not open your heart and tell us that your parents divorced and you were raised by wolves only to marry a bear at age 16 and 1/2 and get beaten on the nights he came home sober, which, fortunately, was not very often. Think and write light and positive. With a photo, your mail box will be filled in no time with people wanting your company. There is no real wrong way to write your ad. With just a little careful thought you will get that REAL YOU in the ad, then success is just around the corner!

Go Get 'em Tiger!

Luv Rhino

P.S. Tell a friend about this!

Friend's name:
Friend's email:
Your name:

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Which of these positive traits best describe you? Pick three to five words below that really tell us who you are. Then expand and explain why in your personal ad. Don't make it an essay. Don't say, "I am adventurous because I like to jump off cliffs." Instead say, "I live to hang glide. I love thrill of flying and the solitude. It has taken me to so many wonderful locations..."

Adventurous? Adaptable? Animated? Analytical? Persistent? Playful? Considerate? Controlled? Competitive? Convincing? Satisfied? Sensitive? Self-reliant? Spirited? Respectful? Optimistic?

Talker? Leader? Bold? Bouncy? Perfectionist? Cheerful? Confident? Cultured? Consistent? Peaceful? Persuasive? Planner? Loyal? Tenacious? Thoughtful? Forceful?

Faithful? Friendly? Orderly? Obliging? Outspoken? Resourceful? Self-sacrificing? Reserved? Resourceful? Daring? Delightful Diplomatic? Demonstrative? Decisive? Dry Humor? Mover?