1.The power of the image
If you work in the field of marketing, then you know that good images are essential for standing out online. Articles with good images get 94% more views than those without. In an online store, customers think the quality of a product's image is more important than the product description, customer reviews and everything else put together. In a nutshell, images are everything. Invest in some cool new photos and you'll massively improve the click-through rate on your dating profile and the amount of engagement with your profile will soar.
2.Telling your story
Most people rely on their written profile to tell their story, which is really challenging. But actually people are looking at your photos and making judgements from what they see there about you and your lifestyle. Your photos give them clues as to what kind of person you are - so make sure those clues are working for you not against you.
If you book a dating photo shoot, you can choose how you want to tell your story by choosing locations and backgrounds that work for you. Where do you most feel comfortable? Surrounded by street art, checking out busy markets, hanging out in the cafe by the canal, walking in quiet parks?
If you're into photography, it makes sense to have your camera in the shot, or if you like skate boarding, get some shots on your skateboard. Books, headphones, newspapers, the clothes you wear etc can all be chosen to help tell your story so think about what you want that story to be and then go tell it with your photos.
Photo credit: Saskia Nelson of Saturday Night's Alright
3.Quality images = quality dates
The quality of the images you're using is critical too. If you're using good quality images you're sending the message that you are serious about finding love online, you're not just in it for some random hook-ups. You'll start attracting more people who are equally serious about finding love online.
4.A numbers game
I did online dating on and off for seven or eight years until meeting my long-term partner on Guardian Soulmates. I had high standards and didn't want to compromise on certain values and qualities so while I met lots of nice guys, I was holding out for the one that made me think, 'oh heck yes!' I didn't know what he was going to be like until I met him, which meant that I had to get myself out on a lot of dates. It sounds unromantic but online dating is a numbers game. You need to be up for meeting as many people as possible. Since having a set of awesome, stand-out dating profile photos immediately increases the click-through rate on your dating profile, it'll lead to more dates. Yay!
5. A tipping point is coming
So you may have noticed a shift recently when online dating; the quality of the photos that people are using is gradually improving. Within a year it's going to be considered very uncool to use any old iPhone shot to promote yourself online so get ahead of the game and get some shots that kick-ass.
If you want to sign up for a free eBook that tells you how to Rock your Dating Profile Photos in 8 Simple Steps, then head to my website right here.