How can you make sure your online dating profile stands out?

With so many people choosing the internet to find love these days, if you want to succeed on online dating sites you need to stand out.

The good news is that your profile begins as a clean slate on which you can etch your life story, hopefully making people want to know more about you.

There are a number of ways to ensure your profile stands out from the crowd and entices people into sending you a message or asking you out on a date.

Perhaps the first piece of advice should be to think before you type, so even from the moment you decide on a username you should be considering how it will appear to those who might be interested in getting to know you.

Another important quality on online dating sites is honesty. After all, if you make yourself out to be something you are not, you will surely come unstuck when you finally meet a date in the flesh, so being honest from day one is a must.

You should avoid cliches and platitudes at all costs, as these do nothing to help you stand out. In fact, they have the opposite effect and you will probably become instantly forgettable, so write some interesting and unique words about yourself.

Try to be funny, as everyone likes someone who can make them laugh. Of course, this is not easy in just a few lines, but you should try as if you pull it off you will become a hit.

It is also important people are prepared to be direct, as this will grab attention and show you know what you are looking for.

Finally, you need to learn to smile for the camera at all times, as people could easily be put off the sight of you if you appear to be glum and downbeat right from the start.