Okay, so I hope all you guys know by now how to keep your shirts on for your online dating photos. And don’t post photos that look like they’re about to kill someone. And to avoid photos taken in strip clubs.
And in the interest of equal timing, I’m sure women already know not to go with the “Glamor Shot,” more photos of the cat than of themselves, cropped face shots, and/or nothing blurry.
But what can we use as criteria to measure good images? Usually, we are left with the removal process here, aren’t we?
Lately, on advice calls, I’ve been describing the quintessential perfect online dating profile picture as “warm, but confident.” One woman, not knowing what that actually looks like, asked for examples. Going through my “archives” for suitable examples was a very real “proof of concept” moment, as I realized that almost every woman who had caught my eye online, Emily included, had lead photos that captured exactly what I was. talking about. So, I’m sorry a little.
From there, realizing that this “warmth but trust” concept was actually on point, my imagination tuned into the concept. But the question remained what exactly to say to someone to get them in the right mindset to produce some winning photos.
Shortly after, while evaluating some software online, I got the proverbial 2×4 backwards.
It happened when I saw a “live customer support” display ad. Ironically, I even have very similar graphics here on the X & Y Communications web universe, but I still managed to miss the obvious. However, the truth is crystal clear once you open your eyes: virtually every image on the web of a headset-wearing customer service agent (guy or gal) would make a great online profile picture. Just take the damn headphones off and they’d be good to go.
Chickie from customer service, looking warm and confident.
Why is this the case? Well, any such photo almost always shows a warm and self-confident person. Sure, the people in such photos are often attractive, but they’re not always “off the charts” and far from attractive. However, they are usually very attractive, in the literal sense. We are attracted.
This is all by design.
After all, what is the purpose of one of those “headphone pictures”? You got it… the idea is that you jump over the fence, click on the graphic and start a conversation. If the person seems friendly, easy to talk to, and like he’s not going to laugh at us for having silly questions… we’re more likely to step up and talk.
Here’s another warm and safe
Also, if that same person seems to have the answer we are looking for, so much the better. And nothing demonstrates the distinct possibility of competition like an aura of confidence.
So let’s bring the concept full circle. What is the point of your online dating profile photos? Exactly, the objective is to encourage people to contact you. In many ways, therefore, the goal is ultimately the same as online sites with customer service agents.
Can she help you? Probably.
So why not take a lesson from your collective marketing savvy and put it to work for you: When taking some photos for your online dating profile, ask yourself “WWCSD”? (“What would customer service do?”)
My guess is that such a mindset, as “unorthodox” as it may sound, will bring you ridiculously positive results. It certainly can’t hurt.
The operators are waiting… and how long will you wait by the phone for it to ring?
Oddly enough, if you looked at X & Y Communications’ “Team Page,” you could probably put both Emily and I on headphones and we’d almost instantly transform into credible customer service agents. Fortunately, both her and my photo on that page started out as our respective main Match.com photos. Go figure.
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