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Sometimes dating can be a bit scary. Guess what? It isn't scary to date after 50. It can even be a great time to find someone. Now you know yourself better. Your intelligence and your calmness have improved.

Dating apps have of course made meeting potential partners easier than ever before, but they’ve also added an ambitious new psychological obstacle to the mix: the “digital elevator pitch.” For many, the process of distilling a complicated, multi-dimensional identity down to a small text field is nothing short of terrifying. Even the wittiest, most charismatic people are left staring stupidly at a blinking cursor, unsure how to be themselves without sounding desperate or dull.

The reality is a dating profile profile is less about “matching with everyone” and more about “signalling to the right person. When laid out this way, it is easy to see how a few carefully chosen words will cut through the background noise and pull in someone who matches you as closely as possible. Read on for a construction guide and the top 10 “power words” to use as well as five common mistakes to avoid as well as how to implement proven templates.

The Foundation: What to Include

That's before you sift through your adjectives, of course; first things first — you've got to make sure the mechanical pieces of your profile are in working order. There are three essential pillars for a compelling profile:

High-Quality, Narrative Photos

And while text space may be limited, the age-old saying holds true: a picture tells a thousand words. Still, a great photo is more than traditional attractiveness; it’s an instrument of storytelling. High-resolution images should show you doing your thing — mid-laugh at a dinner party, hiking a scenic trail, playing an instrument, et cetera. These “action shots” give potential matches immediate conversation starters.

Your Unique "Spark"

What makes you tick? Like writing a professional CV (although with far more flair), your bio should showcase your “Unique Selling Points.” Consider what you contribute to a relationship , are you the person who remembers everyone’s birthday, or the one who knows all best obscure coffee shops in the city? Think about the attributes that set you apart from all the "active" and "adventurous" profiles.

Transparent Intentions

In the end, your profile is a filter. Do not hesitate to be explicit about what you are looking for. Whether you’re looking for a long-term partner to build a life with, or a friend to check out new Sunday markets with, clarity is kind. Concentrate on the good traits you appreciate in other people and the activities that brought it all around.

10 Words to Elevate Your Bio

Data collected from large platforms such as Match. com and eHarmony recommend that some words strike a deeper chord with the users. If you are short of inspiration, try adding these 10 things along the successful phrasing:

• Honest: (Must–Buffered): Integrity is built upon fundamental in any relationship. Saying he was honest suggests that you want to be upfront about being honest and moral right from the start.
• Music: This is a universal way to connect us. It doesn’t matter if you’re a devotee of Bach and Beethoven or 80s synth-pop — music provides an easily “in” for your first message.
• Optimistic: People are inherently attracted to those who see the good. Being an optimistic also means you are strong and a joy to be around.
• Spontaneous: You have a spirit of adventure, and you aren’t afraid to go with the flow, two very sexy attributes in those early, exciting stages of dating.
• Gentle: Never underestimate the power of a “benevolent nature.” For readers seeking meaningful, long-lasting connections, kindness is a top shelf trait.
• Outgoing: If you are friendly and sociable, this word indicates that you are easy to talk with and comfortable interacting in different social environments.
• Funny: Humour acts like a social lubricant. Claiming that you’re funny (or in search of somebody who is) suggests a relationship full of silliness and levity.
• Caring: This shows that you can feel empathy. This is a gentle signal you are seeking more than just shallow interaction.
• Extremely critical: This indicates a high degree of emotional awareness. Intuition and perception show that you are a good listener and an understanding partner.
• Ambitious: Ambition can refer to your career, your fitness goals or some personal hobby such as learning how to cook French food like a professional — ambition demonstrates drive and excitement about self-improvement.

5 Words and Phrases to Avoid

Others are “red flags” or unduly vague to be helpful. To maintain a polished profile, here is what you should edit out:

• Do: Write your bio if you want visitors to know something important about you. Negativity is a major turn-off. You don’t say, “Don’t message me if...”, land on “I’d love to meet someone who..."
• Explore: This has turned into a “filler.” Exploring the city, your career or “the field”? Lack of specifics can result in misaligned expectations. Instead, be specific about your goals.
• Good Vibes Only: This is a red flag for many. It indicates a lack of emotional maturity or an inability to cope with the normal arguments that arise in real life.
• Sarcasm: "Fluent in sarcasm" is a stereotype, but interpreted as mean, or dismissive. Keep the cleverness for the real dialogue, where tone can translate.
• Too Much Emoji: A couple of choice icons can lend personality, but an emoji-overloaded one looks childish. Show you are an adult and let your vocabulary do the heavy lifting.

Successful Bio Templates

The "All-Rounder" (Long-form)

“By day, I’m a designer, by night an avid music consumer. I kept honesty and kindness at the top of my list. My perfect partner is kind, driven and just as comfortable hitting a trail as they are arguing the best pizza spot in London. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart and am looking for a meaningful, long-term relationship with someone who can make me laugh.”

The "Snapshot" (Short form)

“Three words that describe me: optimistic, spontaneous, and perceptive. I am a non-profit sector worker, and I love the next adventure. Fun dates and good conversation wanted the first round is on me if you can defeat me at pub trivia!”

The "Niche Interest"

“Bookworm searching for my equal opposite. When I’m not in a library, you can probably find me cooking for friends or at the movies. Looking for a kind, honest and outgoing companion to share the chapters of life. Must love dogs or it’s a hole in the plot that I cannot live with!”