Part 4 - Setting Up a Great Profile

Creating a standout dating app profile isn’t just about uploading a few photos and hoping for the best. Dating is about competition, just because the apps are on our phones, doesn’t change that fact. 1% of the men get most of the hot women, you want to be in that 1%.

In this guide we will help you break into this critical top tier.

General Principles for All Apps

  1. Choose the Right Photos:
    • Quality Matters: Use clear, high quality images we discussed in Part 2.
    • Show Variety: Include pictures that highlight different aspects of your life—a mix of casual, dressed-up, hobbies, and social settings works well.
    • Lead with Your Best Photo: Your first photo should be a solo shot with good lighting and a genuine smile. This is also the reason why we don’t like the app setting to let them experiment/test what the “best photo is”. You should know this already, an upper/body or full body portrait shot with your face clearly displayed.
    • No Group Photos as Your First Picture: You’re not playing “guess who.” Keep it clear and simple.
  2. Craft a Great Bio:
    • Be concise but engaging. Highlight your personality and interests in a way that invites conversation.
    • Use humor if it comes naturally, but avoid trying too hard to be funny.
    • Avoid cliches like "I love to travel." You want something positive that stand out
  3. Stay Positive:
    • Staying on the topic of being positive, you don’t want to have a whiny/negative bio. It is MIND BOGGLING what people put into their bios. Here are some examples of awful bios for guys:
      1. “giving this a try again……sigh”
      2. “idk what im doing”
      3. “convinced this is never going to work for me”
      4. “where are all hot people”
    • Focus on what you’re looking for and what you bring to the table rather than listing what you don’t want. More examples on good bios for each app down below/
  4. Be Authentic:
    • Don’t exaggerate or lie. Confidence comes from being yourself, not presenting a fake persona.
    • If you add an inch to your height, you probably can get away with that, adding 2-3 inches+ is a good way to waste your time and your dates.
    • Age is another thing – I recommend to just input your actual age, especially if you leaning towards long term relationships, this is a bad first step forward that will hurt you more than it will help.

Tinder: Keep It Simple and Engaging

Tinder is all about first impressions, so focus on grabbing attention quickly.

  1. Photos to Include:
    • One clear headshot.
    • A full-body shot.
    • An action shot showing a hobby (e.g., hiking, playing guitar).
    • A social photo (but not with an ex or a group that’s too large).
    • There are no requirements or number of photos on Tinder so only select your best images. If you have 1-2 image that are iffier, just exclude those.
  2. Writing Your Bio:
    • Keep it short and sweet
    • Examples:
      • “Coffee addict ☕ | Amateur chef 🍳 | Always planning my next travel adventure ✈. Swipe right if you’re into sarcastic banter and bad karaoke nights.”
      • “Part-time adventurer, full-time optimist. I’m all about live music, great tacos, and finding the next trail to hike. Bonus points if you love dogs.”
      • “Lover of cheesy dad jokes, fresh pasta, and weekend road trips. Swipe right if you can handle my questionable singing skills.”
      • “Fitness enthusiast, movie buff, and aspiring chef. Ask me about the last book I couldn’t put down.”
      • “Tech geek by day, guitar player by night. Let’s debate the best pizza toppings.”
      • “Traveler at heart, foodie by passion. My ideal Saturday? Exploring a new city or perfecting a BBQ recipe.”
      • “Fitness junkie, board game enthusiast, and proud dog dad. Let’s match if you can beat me in trivia!”
      • “Hopeless romantic who secretly loves rom-coms. Ask me about my favorite guilty pleasure movie.”
      • “World traveler with a knack for getting lost (on purpose). Swipe if you’re up for a spontaneous adventure.”
      • “Sports fan, DIY-er, and unapologetic coffee snob. Let’s grab a latte and compare notes on life.”
  3. Other Tips:
    • Don’t overuse Tinder prompts or features. Let your photos and bio do the talking.
    • Tinder is often more casual, so keep your profile approachable and fun.
    • Avoid coming across as too serious or intense in your bio.

Bumble: Lead with Depth and Confidence

Since Bumble encourages women to make the first move, your profile should make it easy for them to start a conversation.

  1. Photos to Include:
    • A mix of approachable and intriguing images (e.g., a relaxed smile, a travel shot, or a photo doing something you love).
    • Include at least one photo that highlights a unique interest or skill (e.g., rock climbing, cooking, or playing an instrument).
    • You really want at least 5 if not the full 6 photos for this app.
  2. Writing Your Bio:
    • Focus on what makes you unique and approachable.
    • Examples:
      • “Big fan of Sunday brunch, random road trips, and bad puns. By day, I’m a software engineer; by night, I’m mastering my homemade pizza recipe. Let’s trade travel stories?”
      • “Sarcasm enthusiast, amateur photographer, and pro nap-taker. Looking for someone to explore local coffee shops and debate the best Netflix shows.”
      • “Weekend explorer, dog lover, and self-proclaimed trivia champion. Let’s see who’s better at Mario Kart.”
      • “Craft beer taster, gym goer, and lover of spicy food. Swipe right if you know a great taco spot.”
      • “World traveler with a soft spot for Mediterranean beaches. Can you guess my favorite city?”
      • “Sucker for live music, vinyl records, and good conversation. Let’s make playlists together.”
      • “Adventure-seeker with a mild coffee addiction. Always ready for a road trip.”
      • “Fan of spontaneous plans, local dive bars, and cozy bookstores. Let’s explore together.”
      • “Introverted extrovert who thrives on good vibes and great company. Swipe if you do too!”
      • “Nature lover and aspiring gardener. My idea of fun? A scenic hike followed by a picnic.”
  3. Use Prompts Effectively:
    • Answer Bumble’s prompts thoughtfully to give more insight into your personality.
    • Example Prompts:
      • “If I could have dinner with any three people…” Your Answer: “David Attenborough, Anthony Bourdain, and my grandmother (she’d love the stories).”
      • “My perfect Sunday looks like…” Your Answer: “Sleeping in, coffee by the window, a hike with my dog, and ending with a movie night.”
      • “I’m overly competitive about…” Your Answer: “Board games, trivia nights, and making the best pancakes.”
      • “The quickest way to my heart is…” Your Answer: “Through good food and better conversation.”
      • “A fact about me that surprises people…” Your Answer: “I’ve run two marathons and still hate running.”
      • “My most-used emoji is…” Your Answer: “🥑 because I’m always down for guacamole.”
      • “A dream I’m working towards…” Your Answer: “Learning to surf and taking a road trip along the coast.”
      • “I’d describe myself as…” Your Answer: “Curious, easy-going, and always up for an adventure.”
      • “The best travel advice I ever received…” Your Answer: “Get lost on purpose—it’s the best way to find hidden gems.”
      • “A life goal of mine is…” Your Answer: “To visit all seven continents and learn a new language.”
  4. Other Tips:
    • Be responsive once someone initiates conversation.
    • Avoid generic replies like “Hey” or “How’s it going?”—tailor your response to something from their profile. More examples and details later in our guide.
  5. Bumble’s Nuances:
    • Bumble tends to attract people looking for slightly more meaningful connections than Tinder. Lean into showcasing emotional intelligence and thoughtfulness.
    • Women make the first move, so ensure your bio and photos give them something to comment on.

Hinge: Showcase Depth and Compatibility

Hinge’s design encourages more meaningful connections, so take advantage of its unique features. In my experience, this is the most important app nowadays, after 2023/2024, most people get the most success using this app.

  1. Photos to Include:
    • A mix of approachable, candid, and hobby-based shots.
    • Avoid overly filtered or staged photos. Authenticity wins here.
    • Highlight one or two photos that tell a story (e.g., you at a memorable travel destination or engaging in a favorite activity).
    • You need 6 photos for this app, hopefully they are all good. If not, go get them now and reference Part 2 of our guide.
  2. Writing Your Bio and Prompts:
    • Be detailed and specific in your responses to Hinge’s prompts.
    • Examples of Hinge Prompts and Answers:
      • “A shower thought I recently had…” Your Answer: “Why do we call it a building if it’s already built?”
      • “I’ll fall for you if…” Your Answer: “You’re passionate about something and don’t mind my terrible dad jokes.”
      • “The hallmark of a good relationship is…” Your Answer: “Mutual support, shared laughter, and the ability to binge-watch an entire season of something together.”
      • “My most irrational fear…” Your Answer: “Accidentally hitting “reply all” on an email.”
      • “Let’s make sure we…” Your Answer: “Never skip dessert and always laugh at each other’s jokes.”
      • “My love language is…” Your Answer: “Sharing memes and making breakfast in bed.”
      • “The best compliment I ever received…” Your Answer: “That I make people feel comfortable and understood.”
      • “Something I learned recently…” Your Answer: “That octopuses have three hearts—and now I feel underwhelming!”
      • “A life motto of mine…” Your Answer: “Kindness always wins.”
      • “The way to win me over is…” Your Answer: “Show me your favorite hidden gem spot in the city.”
  3. Highlight Compatibility:
    • Mention values or activities that are important to you.
    • Example: “Looking for someone who enjoys spontaneous adventures, lazy Sunday mornings, and isn’t afraid of a karaoke duet.”
    • Example: “I’m into thoughtful conversations, exploring new restaurants, and road trips. Bonus points if you’re not afraid of camping.”
  4. Use the “Likes” Feature Strategically:
    • Commenting on someone’s prompt or photo shows thoughtfulness.
    • Avoid generic comments like “Nice pic!” Instead, reference something specific: “That hiking spot looks incredible. Where is it?”
  5. Hinge’s Nuances:
    • Hinge attracts people seeking meaningful connections. Focus on depth and shared interests.
    • The “prompts” feature is key. Take the time to make your answers stand out.

Final Tips:

Again emphasizing some key points:

  • Avoid Common Mistakes:
    • No shirtless mirror selfies.
    • Turn off hobbies like fishing/hunting, anything with a dead animal in it
    • No photos in large groups
    • Avoid negativity in your bio or responses.
  • Don’t Overthink It:
    • While it’s important to put effort into your profile, don’t obsess over perfection. Authenticity and confidence are the most attractive traits you can display.
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