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32 tricks to make your photo pop
12 tips to pen perfect profiles

32 tricks to make your photo pop
By Sharon Schroeder, Match.com

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. How about a thousand responses to your free profile?

Profiles with photos attract up to 15 times more attention, and two or three images may generate even more activity!

So the next time you search for local singles, keep in mind these 32 dos and don'ts for looking good.

1. If you are not extra lean and muscular, keep your shirt on

2. Don't have an arm slung around someone else's waist

3. Don't stand in front of a picture of a yacht — unless it's yours

4. Your close up should actually be close up

5. Don't let 'em see the red of your eyes

6. Don't squint

7. A crooked photo creates a crooked neck and nothing more

8. Do not show all of your tattoos

9. A look that screams come-hither might make your ad wither

10. Smile ... if you have your front teeth

11. Don't wear an outfit two sizes too small — you want them to take a second look, not cover their eyes

12. Wearing shades doesn't show off the sparkle in your baby blues

13. Blowing a kiss at the camera could blow your chances instead

14. Nix the group shot; you're the star here

15. Don't make your funny face or scrunch up your nose — only okay for a child of four

16. Use a recent photo; an oldie, in this case, is not a goodie

17. Lose the cowboy hat; let her see your beautiful bald head

18. Muscle shirt, no — unless you actually have them

19. Avoid side views unless your side is actually viewable

20. Don't chop off your head or cut off your midsection; it's hard to picture the whole you if dissected in two

21. A mountain range background is nice, but seeing you as a dot is not

22. Letting it all hang out is out

23. Today may be the day he clicks on your ad — a good incentive to give it your best shot

24. Adjust the color and resolution, cut, rotate, size adjust — whatever it takes, then insert photo and watch what happens

25. If the photo is not quite to your liking, snap a few more; it's worth a little effort and time to change your life from one to two

26. Don't use your mug shot, not very arresting

27. A 'Thinker' pose in a bathrobe ... what were you thinking?

28. A cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other signals a deadend

29. There are a lot of don'ts when choosing the right photo, like don't take it too seriously; let your uniqueness translate into a slick pic

30. Does your photo percolate? Ask a friend or two what they think

31. Be in a good mood; the camera will capture your perkiness

32. Primp, be stylish, casual, off beat, be yourself, be perky — a presentation worthy of many admirers. You are in control of your destiny, so accentuate your best traits and soon you will be another match success story

12 tips to pen perfect profiles
Randy B. Hecht, Match.com

"Gorgeous, buff, world-traveling, gourmet-cooking, independently wealthy, philanthropic, affectionate, commitment-minded and otherwise flawless PhD seeks same."

There. See how simple that was?

This is how profiles work. Or would — if we all were so perfect. The rest of us need just a little help. If you're struggling to create a new free profile or reinvent your old one, consider our 12 hot tips to make your profile sizzle:

1. Be upbeat
From the headline to the last sentence, make sure you sound like someone who would be fun to know. Let us know from the beginning how lucky we are to have found you!

2. Be positive
Avoid negative statements when you present your qualities and those you seek in a match. Talk about your likes rather than your dislikes.

3. Excite us
Don't just spell out a laundry list of your interests. Tell us what grabs you and why.

4. Be revealing
The values that matter most to you probably are most important to your soul mate, too. Put them out there so the two of you will recognize each other right away.

5. Be honest
Current photos; accurate descriptions of your height, body type, smoking and drinking habits and marital status will attract someone to the real you — not a fantasy you can't deliver.

6. Be realistic
Need to drop ten pounds? Be open to dating someone who does, too. Remember the story about the king who searched the world for the perfect woman only to be rejected by her. She was looking for the perfect man!

7. Be kind
Remember, there's no telling who will come along to steal your heart. A welcoming profile that makes you seem accessible and open to the unexpected could open up a world of new contacts to you — including the one contact you've been waiting for.

8. Make us laugh
Your profile isn't a stand-up comedy routine. But if you can get a laugh, or at least a smile, out of those who read it, you're likely to get an email, too.

9. Generate some heat
Sure, it's a little early to reveal your every fantasy. But by showing your humor, your romantic side and your personal warmth, you can be sexy on-screen.

10. Go for quality
Your qualities, that is. As opposed to your possessions. That'll increase your odds of finding someone who appreciates a good listener, a kind heart and knockout kisses. Or do you prefer someone who most appreciates you for your salary and stash of frequent flier miles?

11. Be an individual
Nobody — seriously, nobody — will read your profile and say, "Finally! Someone else who likes walks on the beach and is comfortable in jeans or evening wear!"

12. Post a photo
Yeah, yeah. We're all shallow. Get over it — people like to connect a face with the words. That's why Match.com profiles with photos get 15 times more responses than those without one. Adding a new photo moves you up higher in search results, too. And make it a well-focused, close-up shot so that smile and those eyes don't escape anyone's attention!

Update your free profile today, then quick search for quality singles near you and tell them to take a look!

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