Is Your Online Persona Killing Your Game?

12/15/2015 01:11


Slotmachines
Inside the age of digital dating your web persona can make or break you. With around 70 percent of gay couples now meeting online, it's hard to argue the value of your online persona. Mountains of revealing private information is available to any potential love interest with only a few simple keystrokes. This info can score you additional points, give you a handicap, or literally kill any chance you've got with someone before you even get to meet one another.

Have you Google searched yourself lately? What's around the first couple pages? What story will it tell? Well, could you date you in the event you based your decision off this data alone? Although you may be old-fashioned and think it's creepy to Google someone before meeting them, I assure you the masses are doing it and also the younger generations don't believe twice about it. As an online dating expert I will virtually guarantee you someone will be doing a search on you soon if you are actively dating. You may be a technological pro or dinosaur, there are some critical questions you should think about if you're single and searching:

What information do you share in online dating profiles?

I enjoy online dating (obviously) and recommend all singles looking for love (straight, gay, lesbian, or otherwise not) use it while looking for somebody. However, you should always consider how much information you want to share. Most internet dating sites allow you to share minimal personal info, while others encourage you to share everything including your social media profiles. The quantity of info you share is up to you, but you do have to remember that if you give your full name or link to anything that contains your private data, you've just opened the doorway for anyone to peak in.

What exactly are you posting on Facebook as well as other social media accounts?

Facebook can be quite a great tool for singles to discover interesting people connected to their own friends (normally a bonus). Of all social networks, Facebook may be the most revealing of individuals. You see who their friends are, what they're interested in, what they speak about, if they are intelligent, educated, or self-absorbed; the thing is it all.

Is that a very important thing? It is if you're honest and considerate of what you post. I give plenty of dating advice regarding this topic, but if I had to choose one grossly common game-killer I hear the most complaints about, it might be the infamous daily sexy selfie. If you are single and taking frequent gratuitous selfies, please stop. It is not sending the message you believe it is.

What search results come up when you Google yourself?

Many people that aren't famous (or infamous) probably do not have much come up in their own search results. That alone is not a bad thing. It's also wii thing as far as online persona points are worried. There are several easy actions you can take to score some points here, including making a basic profile on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Pinterest to show some of your interests or hobbies. You could even get fancy and blog about things you love. Common interests are conversation starters, be responsible for success in the game. If the biggest mistake you will ever have is the first thing that comes whenever your name is searched, you may have to seek professional advice to ascertain if the situation can be remedied.

Should you have social media accounts?

Yes, you ought to. If you refrain from reckless posting it's rather a great tool that helps cast a wider net in your search. I have too many fabulous, amazing clients and friends that wont create social media accounts because of fear of their personal lives being all over the internet or that replying to friends will consume them. It's not groundbreaking to suggest that you could only post what you need public, and only answer whom you want if you have time.

Is my online persona really that important?

It is just as important as finding a partner is always to you. My suggestion is to treat dating like a game; a game you really want to win. Your web persona can be your teammate along with a little effort can score you some bonuses instead of killing your game. Taking anything too seriously in the game of dating may be counterproductive and cause disappointment. Not taking it serious enough can cause never finding someone. Locating a healthy balance is the key to success. Regardless, it's a worthwhile game to try out and is definitely worth the risk. Game on!