With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we ask psychologist and dating expert Dr. Angela Ahola for some tips on how to optimise your online profile
Valentine’s Day is mere moments away. For those in a relationship, it’s a day to celebrate love and eat at a crowded restaurant full of other couples. For singles, the day can be a bit more complicated. But for those wishing they had someone with whom to spend Valentine’s with (either genuinely or ironically), it’s not too late. In today’s instantaneous, app-driven dating world, a well-conceived dating profile today could mean a game-changing date by Friday. To make matters more enticing, we’re in the thick of Tinder’s most swipe-heavy period, meaning the likelihood of “the one” being on the other end of an iPhone is greater than ever.
But how does one ensure their profile stands out among the rest? Turns out it’s more than luck and well-lit selfies (though good lighting never hurts). According to Swedish psychologist, author and dating expert Dr. Angela Ahola (an expert working with Tinder), there are a few simple steps one can take to spruce up one’s profile for maximum matches ahead of Valentine’s Day.
“Since our bio often is the first impression we need to make it count,” says Ahola. In her book, 100 Dates: The Psychologist Who Kissed 100 Frogs So You Don’t Have To, Ahola posits that the right bio doesn’t only attract people, it attracts the right people. Generally speaking, she encourages people to view their bio in three parts: you (who you are, what you’re all about), what you’re looking for and a fun fact.
“Writing a bio can feel tricky because it forces us to reflect on how we present ourselves and what aspects we want to highlight,” says Ahola. “As humans, we’re torn between two psychological impulses: blending in to feel connected and standing out to show our individuality.” To this end, she encourages a delicate balance of sharing both things others can relate to, and one thing that makes you singular or unique. She views the bio as an elevator pitch: an invitation to learn more.
While Ahola’s top-level bio-maxing advise feels sound, we wanted some more specific tips on how to maximise one’s Tinder profile ahead of Valentine’s Day. Without further ado, find Ahola’s actionable tips to a more affective online dating profile.