Because online dating has become the norm for meeting people I want to outline a few tips for using online dating services.

When you join an online dating service you have much the same feeling of anticipation and excitement as you do when you are about to go on a blind date. The prospect of having people approve of you and possibly accept you as someone they want to have around them is exhilarating.

Be Honest

But how do you create a powerful and compelling online dating profile? You've heard that honesty is the best policy…It is. Be honest. The person you're trying to attract will eventually agree to meet you if you have written an eye catching profile. Eventually the "real" you will pop out. You don't want to get dumped once your feelings are involved.

Statistics show that people can only keep up a façade of pretending to be something other than they are for approximately 3-6 months (there have been cases of years but that's not the norm). If you want to find Mr. / Mrs. Right, adhere to the honesty policy and represent yourself exactly as you are and not want you want others to perceive you.

Be clever and funny in your profile but be sincere. (Think of the online dating profile as if you were actually speaking to them in person for the first time.) If you're funny, then show it in your writing. Don't tell someone how funny you are, e.g. "I'm funny and have a great sense of humor." That won't make them a believer.

Here is an example of something funny and clever. Football fans will enjoy this one. (This is not for your profile, but used as an example of funny lines I have used when talking to an audience.):

"If your partner is more concerned about that 3rd and 1 on television, than the 4th and 23 in your own living room, then you might be another statistic on the playing field of love. Tell them not to try for a 58 yard field goal, go for six instead."

Do you see what I'm writing about? Word pictures are very powerful tools that help draw the reader in and help to reveal who you are and what you're about.

A Picture Says It All

Another important aspect of your online dating profile is pictures. Show them a picture of you. A picture speaks volumes about who you are. If you say you are sporty but have a picture of you sitting on a couch, what does that say? Use a picture of you on a bike, in a race, waterskiing, etc. Don't use a High School picture if you are in your 20's or older. Use a recent picture. They will find out what you look like when they meet you. Why draw someone in and then have them ditch you if you don't look the same?

The eyes reveal a lot in a picture. If they sparkle with what's called a "catch light," the viewer will be more drawn to you. (A catch light is the little light that shows up on the pupil). If your eyes look suave, the viewer will probably click you away.

Avoid Turn-Offs

Make sure to do a spelling and grammar check before you post to an online dating site. Words that are spelt incorrectly and bad punctuation can tune a lot of people out and then they will click you off.

A few last words of advice: Forget about negativity in your profile and don't talk about ex-relationships. That will give the reader a sense that you are a serial dater and perhaps a heartbreaker.

Avoid phrases like: "I don't play games."; "I love long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and romantic nights by the fire." You can show them that when you meet them.

Every person I have surveyed in the past has said that lines such as the above are red flags and a sign that he/she is a "player."

Online dating can be fun, exciting and successful, but be safe and enjoy the process. When you finally connect with someone on an online dating site, agree to meet at a coffee shop during the day. Never go off in their car no matter how safe they seem, always take yours.