| The following no-nonsense list was compiled from | | | | incognito are we? Playing Joe Hollywood? Wearing |
| interviews with long-time online daters and the | | | | sunglasses just suggests you have something to |
| business executives and support staff of several | | | | hide.7. You at the party, head tossed back in |
| major online dating services. What's the bottom line? | | | | laughter, beer in hand, having so much fun you make |
| The single most important part of online dating is | | | | us puke. It's not that we believe that you get drunk |
| how you handle the simple act of representing | | | | and party 5 nights a week, but why should we take |
| yourself with photos.1. Not posting a photo at all. Not | | | | the chance.8. Trusting your mother or brother to tell |
| posting a photo at all is arguably the most serious | | | | you which photos you should use online. Your mother |
| mistake. You must have something to hide if your | | | | thinks even your goofiest picture looks absolutely |
| photo is a blank space. Trust us, everyone thinks so. | | | | charming. Your view is biased, too. That favorite |
| And that jaundiced phrase "ask for my picture" is | | | | photo that you think looks really, really good might |
| sounding pretty lame these days. Describing yourself | | | | not. Instead, ask someone of the opposite sex who |
| in words is lame, too.2. Posting a photo that is more | | | | you find attractive which photos you should use |
| than 2 or 3 years old. If you are too much older than | | | | online. That's the single most accurate measure of |
| your picture you've committed the sin of "age | | | | your photo's effectiveness. Why? Because when you |
| shaving" online. This is guaranteed to put your | | | | post your photo online, you'll be impressing just such |
| relationship on shaky ground from the start and is | | | | people - or not impressing them - a thousand times a |
| usually an instant "deal breaker." Ever wonder why | | | | day.9. Showing too much skin. This will get you just |
| that second date never happens? It's a sure bet | | | | the wrong responses if you're a woman, and usually |
| they won't tell you if you "age shaved".3. Is that little | | | | no responses at all if you're a man. There are |
| figure in the background you? See # 1. If your image | | | | exceptions, but not many.10. Using your crappy |
| is so small you can't be seen clearly you must be | | | | snapshots because you think using professional |
| butt-ugly or have something to hide. Lame. Get a real | | | | photos is "cheating". Using professional quality photos |
| photo of yourself. We've already seen Yosemite - in | | | | is the first thing online dating experts suggest you do |
| person.4. Compromising by using a photo with a | | | | if you take your online dating seriously. You certainly |
| strange or goofy expression. If the only fairly close | | | | don't trust your health, your vision or even your |
| up, kinda' clear picture you have of yourself looks like | | | | haircut to an amateur. So why trust your online |
| you just smelled something unmentionable, it's time | | | | image to one? Making a lasting first impression with |
| for a better photo. Even prose by Shakespeare in | | | | professional photos is a sensible way to put your |
| your profile can't overcome the awful first impression | | | | best face forward.Merav KnafoMerav Knafo is the |
| created by a drunken, or worse, that dreaded "deer | | | | co-founder of LookBetterOnline offers an easy and |
| in headlights" look.5. Is that you - or is the one on the | | | | economical solution to the problem of sub-standard |
| left you - or is the one in the background you? Why | | | | online dating photos. Available in over 6000 cities in |
| are you kissing that strange-looking man on the | | | | the US and Canada, all the photographers they |
| cheek? Who is that man with his hand on your ass? | | | | employ are pre-screened, are specially trained and will |
| Are those your parents? If we have to guess or if | | | | make you look your best! You get 12 great images |
| you have to explain it in your profile text, it's too | | | | that are the perfect size and resolution for your |
| late. Try to avoid posting a photo with more people | | | | profile - and for no additional charge, their staff will |
| than you in it, especially if the other person(s) are of | | | | recommend the best photos to use!Do your photos |
| the opposite sex, even if you think the photo of you | | | | do you justice? |
| is good.6. Take off those sunglasses. See #1. Going | | | | |