Hi! I am getting back into online dating and need some advice when it comes to the About Me section of my profile.
Here it is:
I am looking for someone to share my life with. I like to travel, visit with friends and family and take lots of pictures. I am seeking someone who shares these interests. I love to laugh so a sense of humor, sarcastic or otherwise, is a definite plus. I am a reporter by profession so I am generally better with asking the questions and writing a story than answering the questions. I hope to find someone that can help me open up and bring out the best in me. Although I might be shy at first, once I get to know someone I am an open book. My family and friends are very important to me and that is who I spend most of my time with when I am not working. I am looking for a man who both compliments and challenges me; a man who accepts me for who I am yet challenges me never to remain complacent. He will push me to strive to constantly grow as a person in one form or another. If you are interested, send me an email to find out more.
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
LemonVibe 
[I’m pretty sure this wasn’t your intent, but the way you wrote certain parts, in my opinion, makes you come across as a little bit needy:
“I am looking for someone to share my life with”….
“I hope to find someone that can help me open up and bring out the best in me”….
“He will push me to strive to constantly grow as a person in one form or another”….
I think the main issue is that you’re describing in detail what you’re looking for in a man, but nowhere do you describe what you yourself offer to him. So, right off the bat, it feels like the relationship you’re after is going to be one-sided. You’re going to be depending on him to make you a better person. But… wait, then what does he need you for?
So, my suggestion would be to make your personal description a little more balanced. For every statement about what you want in someone, give a statement about what you can offer. How can you make him a better person? How will your presence enrich his life? I think that will help make you sound less needy.
Oh, and welcome to LemonVibe! Hope you didn’t think this was too harsh…. π
[Thank you for your comments, Dennis! I need all the help I can get. I don’t think the comments were harsh. They were definitely helpful and gave me lots to think about when revamping my profile. I can totally see where you are coming from and I DO NOT want to sound needy or dependent because I don’t think that I really am either of those things. I will rewrite and put the new copy up for more critic π
[I got kind of the same vibe Dennis had. I mean, you’re telling people how you want them to make YOU better, but you don’t tell them what you bring to the table really, other than the fact that you’re a reporter, so hey – you have a job (therefore you make money) and if they happen to be nosy, you know things before most people do.
What do you bring to a relationship? Do you like to cook/bake or are you the take-out queen? Do you like to plan dates or do you like to let the other partner initiate and plan the dates? Are you happier in a public setting for your date-nights or do you prefer the introverted cuddle up with a movie at home type-thing?
Do you bring humor (and what kind), warmth and understanding? Are you an animal lover (with or without your own pets)? Do you do volunteer work? And exactly how much time can a committed person expect to be spending with your family on an average month/year?
Expand on what you are going to put into a relationship before you list out what you expect from one.
[You might want to include a couple of random interesting facts about yourself, or what hobbies you have, unless you have that in other sections of your profile. It seems a bit of mundane as it is now, and nothing really stands out about it. I’m sure you have something that you could include that would make people want to know more! π
[Well, I am back and have listened to all of your advice. I revamped my profile and would like to share it again. Let me know what you think.
Here it is:
About me: Hi, Im Katie! I have been on Match.com for a while, but recently decided it was time to change a few things in my profile. I am a reporter by profession, so I am generally better with asking the questions. But once I open up, watch out, I will flood you with information. Friends and family would describe me as a loving, giving person who has a very nurturing presence that puts everyone at ease. My family and friends come first in my life. I would do anything for them. I come from a large extended family, so when we get together it is always a fun time. I love to laugh and usually have a big smile on my face. I am pretty sarcastic and like to give people a hard time. I can also take it when someone teases me.
I like to cook and bake but need some practice. Cooking for one isnt always the easiest. When it comes to going on dates, I do like to go out and try a new restaurant or go to a movie, play or musical. I also like to stay in and cook together, play a game or watch a movie.
I work hard so I can travel and live life to the fullest. I love to travel to new places and explore what a city has to offer. I havent gone out of the United States, yet, but want to go to Italy someday along with other places in Europe. One of my hobbies is photography. Usually when I am traveling or just walking around town I have a camera in my hand. I like taking scenery pictures, architecture and candid shots of people.
Who I am looking for: I am looking for someone to spend my life with who shares some of my interests, but also will bring new things to my life. I love to laugh so a sense of humor, sarcastic or otherwise, is a definite plus. I am looking for a man who both compliments and challenges me; a man who accepts me for who I am yet challenges me never to remain complacent. He will push me to strive to constantly grow as a person in one form or another.
I hope you are having a great day. If you are interested, send me an email to find out more.
[Katie, great re-write. This reads much better than the previous one.
I do have a couple things that I’d consider removing. First, I say remove the part about you having been on Match for a while and wanting to change things up. People don’t need to know how long you’ve been on there, whether it’s been 2 days or 2 years.
My other possible omission is the phrasing, “I am looking for someone to spend my life with who shares some…”. I would recommend rephrasing it as, “I am looking for someone who shares some of my…”. The inclusion of looking for someone to spend your life with may come across to some as you’re looking immediately for something like ‘love at first sight’. This will take pressure off, plus the reason for dating is essentially to find someone you may be with forever…so it doesn’t necessarily need to be said.
Hope this helped, and good luck!