Writing a personal ad is an easy way to introduce yourself to people. The dating scene can be complicated and finding someone who is compatible can be difficult if you are not meeting the right kind of people. Learning how to writing an effective personal ad will give you the chance to check out interesting people while you are sitting in the comfort of your own home.
This page gives you practical advice that will help you to write a personal ad with the potential to get a great number of responses. One way to get a lot of responses from your personal ad is to follow the advice of the people who get the most responses.
What to Avoid When You Start to Write Your Personal Ad
- Telling too much about yourself in your ad. Just because you like to sleep in the buff doesn't mean you have to write that in your ad. You will attract the wrong kind of responses.
- Do not tell blatant lies. If you are 5'6", don't say that you are 6'1". Your lie will be exposed.
- Using all caps is like screaming and it will not get you more responses. http://www.dateseeker.net/dating-tips/bad_ads.html
- Don't write about what you cannot do and don't write negatively about yourself. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/55211/personal_ad_cliches_five_things_to_pg2.html?cat=38
- Do not give your address to someone you meet through your ad. http://www.mahalo.com/online-dating
Now that you know what not to do, you are ready to find out how to write a personal ad that will help you find a compatible mate.
Step 1: Start With a Title That Will Standout From the Rest
Studies show that when people read an ad, you have three seconds to make an impression, and that is why you must have a unique, attention grabbing title. http://www.askmen.com/dating/dating_advice_60/88b_dating_tips.html Your title is the most important part of your personal ad, and it should be able to make the reader want to know more about you. There will be dozens of other personal ads that are right there competing with yours, so make your title interesting enough to make the competition seem pale by comparison. One way to peak the curiosity of the reader is to make them smile.
For example:
Instead of writing: Single, Looking For a Nice Mate To Spend Quality Time With How about this: Do You Have My Glass Slipper?
This title will grab the attention of someone quicker than the I am Looking For a Nice Mate...
You should not reveal too much about yourself in the title because this may come across as desperate or needy. You should also steer clear from I am looking for a husband/wife because I am not getting any younger. If you do get responses from prospective suitors, they may not be from the type of person you are hoping to meet. http://southernguidetointernetdating.com/
Featured Video The Southern Guide To Internet Dating
Miss Lora, the personal ad expert, has been on The Rachael Ray Show to discuss how she is able to get so many responses to the personal ads she put on the Internet. This one is from YouTube, the forth video in her series about Internet dating, and how to do it successfully. Miss Lora gives you her very own person ad tips and expert advice. She tells how to get a higher percentage of responses, what to write, and what not to write in your person ad.
Step 2 Lies and Other Personal Ad Problems
You should resist the urge to fabricate when you write your ads. When most people place Internet dating ads, they tell too many big, fat lies. A little embellishment here and there probably won't hurt but lying about physical characteristics could be really damaging. While you can tell lies about your weigh, height, personality or anything else when you are writing your ad copy, most of these lies that people tell when they pen their personal ad are uncovered if there is ever face to face meeting. Some lies may take longer to be revealed. However, the more you interact with someone, the more you reveal about yourself.
Don't make promises that you can't keep. If you are allergic to weeds and grasses, don't write about your (imaginary) desire to go on a long walk in the meadow and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing on a blanket in the grass. Not everyone is looking to snuggle up under a blanket on the beach. If you hate sand, then don't mention that you play beach volleyball in your spare time. You should be completely truthful about yourself, but not too revealing. There are ways of telling the truth that can still be attractive to other people.
Step 3: Do Research To See What Works
There are people who write their personal ad and have success finding exactly what they are looking for. Before you post what you have written, take a look a what worked for other people. http://www.itscupid.com/advice/examples-killer-personal-ads.htm By reading a variety of different personal ads from other people, you will also get a feel for what works and does not work. Which ads are you most attracted to, and what types of words catch your eye? What features of the ads turn you off? After you get a good feel for what works and doesn't work in personal ads, you will be better able to write your own.
When you start writing your personal ad, keep the words flowing as if you are having a conversation with someone right in front of you. Writing as if you are talking always works better than writing short, incomplete sentences that will make you sound impersonal and bland.
If you prefer a particular race or nationality, and you want responses from them, make sure you write that face in your ad. If you do not state your preferences, you may have to wade through a lot of responses that you could have avoided if you had let the readers know what you do and do not want.
These tips should help you write a personal ad that is successful enough to get several responses from eligible suitors.
