Step up your swiping game
By Ellen O'Regan
As Valentine’s Day creeps up on us, and the chances of meeting someone in real life remain next to zero, finding love in lockdown is not exactly a walk in the within-your-5km park.
More and more singles are turning to dating apps to connect, so we’ve put together five foolproof tips to help you pimp out your profile, and step up your swiping game.
Choose the right app
The first step is choosing the app that’s right for you. As it’s the most popular, Tinder is your best bet for sheer statistical likelihood of finding a match. Bumble is great for flipping heterosexual dating stereotypes upside down, as women have to make the first move. Hinge encourages you to show a bit more personality on your profile through photo prompts and answering questions. There are hundreds of more niche apps and websites out there, from Gluten Free Singles to RedheadDates.com, so there really is something for everybody.
Lower your expectations
Don’t expect to find the love of your life. Or more accurately, don’t expect to know if someone is the love of your life from a few photographs. Go easy when you’re swiping, you never know who you might connect with once you take a chance. Remember that people on the other side of profiles are (mostly) as real as you are, and there is always more than meets the eye.
Show your personality
First impressions can mean everything online, so your first photo is crucial. Make sure it is a clear photo of you, rather than a group photo. Smile! Having only one photo tends to set off catfish alarm bells, so upload a few that show your personality, hobbies, or interests. Don’t be afraid to use your bio to let people get to know you a bit more too – nobody will know how great you are unless you show them!
Give people something to latch on to
Getting the conversation started is the hardest part, so giving people something to ask you about is a great way to get the ball rolling. Try leaving something in your profile for people to message you about, like a question in your bio or a funny photo. Keep the momentum up when you do start messaging, by asking questions and pushing beyond the boring small talk.
Be yourself
More important than any of the advice here, be true to yourself. There’s no right or wrong way to date, and the virtual version is no different. Pretending to be someone you’re not is doomed to fail, plus you’re more likely to attract like-minded people if you’re authentic.
So if you want to go against every single tip here, more power to you!