The Top 3 Mistakes Men Over 50 Make on Their Dating Profiles (and How to Fix Them)
If you’re a man over 50 checking out the dating pool in Raleigh/Durham, you may feel like on-line dating is like walking into one of your high school dances all over again. There’s no one you’re interested in, you realize you wore the wrong outfit, and you’re not sure what to do with your hands.
The good news? With the right dating profile, you can actually attract the kind of quality women you’d be excited to meet for coffee at Jubala, a beer at Fullsteam, or a walk around Duke Gardens.
The bad news? These three mistakes turn women off faster than Duke and UNC fans start arguing during basketball season.
Let’s fix that.
Mistake #1: Profile Pictures that Scream Swipe Left
If any of your profile photos were taken in a bathroom, it’s time for an upgrade! Also, multiple pics in a baseball cap aren’t fooling anyone. Most women (myself included) think bald is beautiful. Finally, selfies taken beside your car or in the front seat of your car are a definite no-no.
We’re not looking for evidence that you can operate a vehicle or that you spend a lot of time in the bathroom. A picture is worth a thousand words, make sure those words aren’t “This guy is someone I would never want to kiss”. Let your personality shine through and SMILE. Have a friend take a variety of pics of you, because too many selfies scream “I don’t have any friends. ”The goal should be to post photos that are RECENT and that show you in the most positive way possible.
Mistake #2: Writing the “Boring Biography”
So many of us over 50 write dating profiles like we’re filling out a census form: “I like movies. I like the beach and the mountains. I like to travel.” Well… congratulations, so does literally everyone else.
The problem isn’t that you like those things—it’s that you’re not saying anything memorable. Women want to know what makes you different. Briefly describe why your favorite movie makes you happy. (“Big fan of Top Gun — mostly because I think I’d look good in aviators. But you can be the judge of that) . Share an example about something you love about the beach/mountains? (“Mountains are my happy place. It’s the only time I willingly walk uphill without complaining.” I love the beach — mainly because it’s the only place I can justify wearing flip-flops in public.”
Instead of listing generic interests, add a little flavor and specificity. Give her a peek into your personality so she can actually picture what it’s like to spend time with you. Boring profiles attract boring results.
Mistake #3: The Debbie Downer Bio- Womp Womp
This one’s big: nothing kills attraction like a list of what you don’t want. “No drama, no games, no gold-diggers, no crazy exes, no endless texting, no filters…” That’s not a description for your profile, that’s a list of reasons not to meet you.
Instead of broadcasting what you don’t want, highlight what you do want. Write about how much you value good conversation, laughter, or weekend road trips to Wrightsville Beach or Asheville. Positivity attracts positivity—and trust me, “fun, kind, adventurous guy” gets a lot more swipes than “negative, uptight and complains a lot.”
The Bottom Line
If you’re over 50 and dating in RDU, your profile should showcase you—the confident, interesting, funny guy you are—not a crummy mugshot, your résumé, or your list of complaints. Let me help you put your best foot forward on your dating profile!