I learned a trick about how to navigate networking events with more confidence and ease.
Wear a pin, a piece of jewelry or somehow accessorize your look. This gives people an opportunity to ask you about said piece – it serves as a natural icebreaker.
This is me with my cubicle conversation starter. I met lots of people in my building with this guy. Circa 2014.
Networking events are intimidating. You walk into a room full of people who are already chatting, getting to know one another and you feel like a deer in the headlights.
It seems like everyone else has a confidence you are not feeling. Everyone else looks like they belong, but somehow you feel like you don’t.
In these moments, we forget that most everyone else is probably just as nervous and uneasy. Everyone is feeling somewhat exposed.
The approach to a networking event isn’t much different from online dating. The difference is instead of tangible humans all your potential dates are words and pictures sized in various aspect ratios on our cell phones.
We swipe left and right in big rooms of people, too. It’s just not as obvious or deliberate – we sometimes don’t notice our own intentions.
So, there you are, standing still and awkwardly sizing up the room, when a lovely person comes up to you and says:
Omigosh, I love your elbow patches.
You: Thanks, they go good with my suspenders.
Them: So, this is a common look?
You: For sure, I have a bit of a Clark Kent personality. My name is James, what’s yours?
Be the guy people see before you see them.
Accessorizing Your Online Dating Profile
When writing your dating profile, employ a conversation starter strategy; A strategy rooted in fostering curiosity.
A conversation-starter strategy is a powerful way to capture the attention of potential matches and initiate meaningful connections.
With this strategy, you also have influence over the tone and direction of conversations.
Avoid including topics you’re uncomfortable discussing. By focusing on subjects you’re passionate about, you’ll naturally exude positive energy, making your conversations more engaging and enjoyable.
Using Your Words
Vivid language and descriptive words will paint a picture of your personality and lifestyle.
You can choose great pictures, but they will fall flat if you don’t have well-written responses to the various dating prompts, as well as anything you write that is open-ended.
This is your chance to spark curiosity and invite someone to ask to know more – giving them an easy way to strike up the witty banter.
This Is How
Enhance the answer to the prompts with feeling, a story or both.
I’m Really Proud
Of the career I’ve built. It’s been my dream since I was kid, I worked hard and made it happen. It’s a great feeling helping make the world a better place.
Are you curious what this person does for a living?
When I Unplug I
I’m artsy-craftsy and making my own jewelry has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I still wear pieces I made when I was ten.
This example tells a story. When you read it, you can’t help but wonder what this jewelry looks like and more about how she/he utilizes their creativity.
I Get Way Too Excited About
For me, summer weekends are all about the motorcycle rides. Sunday mornings are my favorite. It’s my stress relief and gives me the sensation of flying on land.
This one tells a story and adds feeling. You may not be a person who digs being on the back of a bike, but you know what exciting sensations feel like and you know what it’s like to enjoy something for the purpose of stress relief.
When you relate to people, you offer a sense of safety. It’s easy to start a conversation with someone if they give indication they might “get you.”
For more Hinge and Bumble prompt ideas, read these posts:
Putting It All Together
The goal of your online dating profile is to start conversations and the goal of online dating is to get offline.
As an observer of online dating, one of the biggest challenges people face is struggling with conversation. Starting conversations and keeping up with conversations.
How many of you have wanted to reach out to someone but was stumped as to where to start? When you’re finally at a loss you succumb to something like, hey, hi or ‘sup?
Wouldn’t it take a load off knowing that you’re setting yourself up for success?
If you know you have an online dating profile with substance, doesn’t it make you feel better and more confident about your approach and knowing people are going to see that confidence?
This doesn’t mean sit back and relax and wait for everybody to come to you. You’re still going to have to make the first move from time to time. But, you’ll know that you won’t always have to. Takes a little edge off doesn’t it?
Ultimately, the beauty of social situations lies in their unpredictability. You never know who you might meet, what conversations you might have, or what new experiences you might encounter. By embracing the unknown and stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities.
One of my most favorite pieces of dating advice is: Don’t become attached to the outcome.
Whether you meet someone on a dating app, a networking event, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit or bumping at the club, don’t become attached to the outcome.
Live in the moment.
Also, In Real Life, In The Wild, whatever cutesy term you want to use, remember, it’s all the same people. The human walking around the grocery store is the same human on Hinge.
If you are someone thinking about trying online dating or giving it another go with a different approach, check out the Packages and Pricing Page and start dating with a great online dating profile.
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I designed this dating journal to help you process thoughts and feelings as they relate to who you are deciding to spend time with. This journal is a mix of guided prompts and plenty of free flow. You may want to view it as a mix of a plain journal and an interactive workbook. The prompts are recurrent based on Date 1, Date 2, Date 3 and more.
AND
How To Write A Great Online Dating Profile.
Within, you will find my best tips and strategies, including dos and don’ts, before and after examples, and a template to follow. There is also advice on which photos to choose and how to craft email messages. You will also find full written samples and a questionnaire to use for idea generation.
Follow Me on Instagram and Threads: @hiddengemprofiles.com
See lots more writing tips and samples.
