ding ding ding The number one rule in dating is “be attractive”, and I mean that in the broadest sense: be someone that other people want to be around. It doe

ding ding ding The number one rule in dating is “be attractive”, and I mean that in the broadest sense: be someone that other people want to be around. It doesn’t mean you have to be devastatingly good looking (lord knows I’m not), but if you are comfortable with yourself, have a sense of humor, have compelling things to say, and can demonstrate that in your online dating profile, then you won’t have a hard time finding dates. At least that was my experience 4+ years ago on OkCupid (where I eventually met my fiancée). Granted, I think the move towards Tinder-style swiping puts too much emphasis on looks for first impressions. I’m disappointed by the path OkC has taken since being acquired by Match. Addendum: In light of the trend towards Tinder-style swiping, it's probably worth touching on looks and appearances. Keep in mind that this goes far beyond natural good looks (or lack thereof). Part of the whole 'confidence' thing is showing that you care about yourself. In your photos and on your dates, you should be well groomed. That means being clean cut: a nice haircut, and if you are partial to facial hair, make sure it's well maintained. Wear clothes that look good and feel comfortable. If style isn't your forte, take a trip to Nordstrom -- they have personal stylists that can help you put together a classy wardrobe. Take advantage of their holiday and anniversary sales. Take good photos. If you have a friend who's a hobbyist photographer, bribe them with a bottle of their favorite beverage to take some quality shots. If you don't, consider hiring a professional. Selfies and poorly-lit indoor shots do not go over well. And unless you're at the beach in your photos, for heaven's sake wear a shirt. Lastly, get some feedback. There's a pretty supportive OkCupid subreddit[1] where people will generally be willing to give you feedback on your profile and photos, but you have to be receptive and genuinely want to improve. I've seen the difference it can make, and it's really quite astonishing. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/OkCupid/ https://www.reddit.com/r/OkCupid/