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Writer’s block? Lost for words? Don’t know what to say? Don’t worry, everyone finds it difficult to write about themselves but, with a few tips, we’ll have you writing like a regular Shakespeare.
- Relax.
No need to aim for a masterpiece. Just a good honest piece that reflects you and who you are.
- Keep it light and friendly.
It’s the start of a conversation so think about the sort of things you might tell the table when first meeting people at a dinner party.
- Keep it topline.
Even the most interesting people become boring when they blab on about themselves. Sure, you’re here to tell people about yourself but you also want to save a few gems of information for later. Otherwise what will you talk about on the date?
- Don’t be too topline.
A few specifics are good. If you like sports, tell them what sort of sports. If you have a favourite story, tell it. If you like music, name a few favourite songs. Naming one favourite song tells you far more about someone than a big general comment like, ‘I love rock concerts’.
- Say what then say why.
Let’s go back to that favourite song. Let’s say it’s Achy Breaky Heart. If you say ‘My favourite song is Achy Breaky Heart’ then people know a little about you. If you say ‘My favourite song is Achy Breaky Heart because it reminds me of the time that my mates and I all cut our hair into mullets and snuck past the bouncer at Barry Crocker’s birthday party by telling them we were a band who’d just flown in from West Virginia’, then that tells a lot more about you.
- No fibbin’.
Telling lies might get you a date but it won’t get you any further than that which means you’ll have wasted everyone’s time. Being honest is far more attractive than making out you’re perfect when, let’s face it, you’re not.
- Write like you talk.
Pretend someone has asked you to say a few words about yourself then write what you would tell them. Writing in this way is far more friendly and relaxed that trying to become a literati overnight.
- Be unique.
Write your piece then take a good, hard look at it and ask, could anyone else write these things? Have I made myself sound like the individual I am or do I just sound like a chocolate loving, film going, music addicted, Converse wearing clone like everyone else. Harsh? Yes. But let’s face it you have to be tough to play the dating game.
- Don’t just say it, prove it.
If you’re good looking then upload a good looking photo. If you’re intelligent then write something intelligent. If you’re funny then be funny. All these things will serve you a lot better than just telling people, ‘My name is Wally. I am a very good looking, highly intelligent and really funny person’.
- Talk about what you do want rather than what you don’t.
We’ve all been burned in the past but listing out a bunch of things you’re not looking for can just end up making you sound grumpy and high maintenance. If you’ve had a run of partners whose idea of culture is a tinnie and the pokies then find a way to point out what you do want instead. Such as ‘someone who likes a bit of art and fine dining once in a while’. Talking in the positive will make you come across asa more friendly, accessible person and it will also help you define what you’re looking for.
- Do add a photo. Yep, it’s that simple.
You don’t have to be a supermodel but people do like to look at your face. It gives them a face to attach the words to. Besides, it’s well documented that a photo will give you ten times the chance of finding a date than going anonymous. For more about photos visit out photo guidelines.
- Keep it clean.
Don’t add any naughty words, email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, sexual suggestions, racially offensive words (yes, including the word ‘Monkey’) or your surname. And don’t be promoting third party websites. You’ve got to pay us to do that and even then we’ll probably say no.
Still stuck? Here are a few things you might like to write about to get the ballpoint rolling.
- Start with the basics. Are you a quiet type or a party person? Pick 3 words that describe you.
- What do your mates say are your best characteristics?
- What do your friends say are your most annoying characteristics? Go on, be honest…
- What’s your favourite song and why?
- Do you like travelling? What’s your favourite city and what’s your favourite thing to do in it?
- What’s your favourite food? Why?
- If someone wanted to impress you where would they take you? A romantic home cooked meal or a Hummer limo with champagne and caviar on the way to red carpet clubbin’?
- Do you like sport? Do you like watching sport?
- What’s the last new thing you tried? How did it go?
- What are you looking for? One night of passion and fury, a marriage with kids or just some new friends?
What that? Still still stuck? Sheesh. Best we give you an example then. This one is casually written, gives the reader enough to help them start a conversation and just long enough to get a flavour of the sort of person who wrote it.
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My friends say I’m the outdoor type but they don’t see me lounging on the couch most Saturday afternoons munching on a piece of cooking of my own creation or sneaking in a DVD that I managed to miss at the movies and have finally found at the video store. When I am outdoors surfing’s my game but I’ll also play a bit of soccer in the park if I can round up enough friends. I’ll fall for you hook line and sinker if you can make me laugh, enjoy a nice meal and are not scared of the occasional party to the break of dawn.
My favourite song is Ant Music because it was the first one I ever bought and I am still forced to sing along just as I was when I was five. And yes, I know all the words. I like dogs and not cats. I like sun and sand. I like long mornings in bed and late nights out. Most of all I like people who can keep things casual, relaxed and fun. After all we’re here to enjoy ourselves aren’t we?
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