Making an unforgettable online dating profile is a lot like making an unforgettable ad. Just like that 30-second TV commercial that sells you that new brand of tooth paste, you have to 1) stand out in the middle of a sea of profiles, 2) attract their interest in the first sentence so they’re not tempted to click on to the next person on their list, 3) arouse (pun not intended) their curiosity enough so that they want to find out more, and then 4) make them email you.

Grab their Attention

Start with the photo. The eye moves faster than the mind: grab their eye, and their attention, so they’ll actually stop and read what you’ve written. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not about how gorgeous you look, it’s how much your photo captures your personality.

For example, where should the picture be taken? If you’re an outdoors girl, then share one of yourself standing on a hiking trail. If you love animals, then choose one cuddling a kitten. Immediately, without saying a word, you attract the interest of those who probably share your interest. That’s a lot more powerful than a generic studio glamour shot!

Avoid blurry photos taken with a webcam, or overcluttered backgrounds that steal the attention from you. And in general, wearing a bright solid colored top can help catch attention. Take a look at the pictures on the covers of magazines: see how they’re carefully styled so they stand out on the news stand? Take your cues from there.

Attract their Interest

Advertisers have something called “unique selling proposition”: one value that makes them different from competition. So you have shampoos that claim to make your hair shiny, and another that claims to have a beautiful smell. They don’t try to be everything, and neither should you. Think of two or three things that are important to you (hobbies, passions, your life’s goal). Keep an upbeat tone, and show it to a trusted friend and ask him what he would think if he read it and didn’t know you.

Arouse their Curiosity

You can’t tell your life’s story in a few sentences, and you’re not supposed to. Just as ads don’t actually narrate all the product benefits but give you just enough to want to try it, your profile should just “tease” their interest. After all, if they get in touch with you, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other. So how do you get them to pay attention? Ask a question, give just half of an anecdote, or a teaser like “find out why I can never look at a lemon meringue pie the same way again.” (Note: this also breaks the ice and gives them something to write about in their first email.)

Make them Email You

You know how every sales pitch you read says something like, “Call this number now!” Well, your profile needs that to. Close with a friendly, unintimidating line that will boost your reader’s confidence. Even if it’s something as simple as, ‘I’d love to hear from you!” Why does that one line mean so much? Because it makes the reader feel like you’re talking to them, waiting for them, and makes writing that introductory email less intimidating.