Writing Ad Tips

Not sure what to write in your personal ad? Here are some suggestions:

Do...

• Describe yourself. Think of what you'd want to know about someone and answer those questions about yourself. People are more likely to respond to your ad if they are attracted by something you've told them about you.

  Be careful to avoid creating an ad that is simply a mile-long list of characteristics you seek in another, without saying much about yourself. It is better to let the person reading the ad decide if they might be a match. This does not mean that you should say nothing about what you seek, just don't overdo it. You do not want to be too picky.

• Be creative. Make your ad stand out by including a special quote or describing your most intriguing feature or most memorable experiences. If you have a sense of humor, don't just say so; show it! Have fun with your ad.

  Pay attention to spelling and grammar. People are more likely to take your ad seriously if you've put some thought into it. First, be spontaneous, then read it over.
  A personal ad can take many forms. A poem, perhaps. One amazing ad consisted entirely of titles -- one right after another -- of popular motion pictures, carefully chosen and arranged to describe the ad placer.

• Careful Planning. Show them what YOU would want to know. Make a list of the most important things that you would like to know about a person. Keep in mind that common goals are often more important in a relationship than individual interests.

• Tell Your Age. Age isn't everything, but... It is where a lot of people start. Be sure to include your age in the ad; if you do not want to give your exact age, narrow the range: "early twenties" or "mid forties" for example. If you are fifty but feel thirty, say so? If you are looking for someone outside your age range, give a range for the person you seek as well. Keep in mind that some people will be suspicious of a range that seems too wide -- such as "twenty to sixty", and this may limit responses. Likewise, a range too narrow (one to two years) also seems odd. Even those who fall in the narrow range might be hesitant to respond. Stating your age, and avoiding ranges altogether, is generally the best approach.

Don't...

• Don't lie. You are better off telling the truth in your ad. Honesty can prevent disappointment for both you and your potential date. Just remember - you could end up meeting someone who reads your ad, so don't say you're 6'1" if you're really 5'4".

  Above all, be honest when describing yourself. No matter who you are, or what kind of person you are seeking, you have a better chance of finding that person -- and with less disappointment along the way -- if you are honest from the beginning.

• Don't write your life history. Write enough about yourself to catch someone's attention. Don't include detailed, personal information.

• Don't include contact information. Never include your address and phone number in an ad. If you decide you want to give out personal information in future correspondence, be sure you're giving it to someone you can trust.

• Don't tell - Show. Instead of saying you "like music, movies, and restaurants," name a recent movie that you enjoyed. List some of your favorite music styles, song titles, or artists. If you enjoy going out to Italian restaurants, or line-dancing at a country bar on Saturday nights, say so! It is much more effective to use humor in your ad rather than just saying "I have a sense of humor". Ironically, it is the very details that are often overlooked as being insignificant or boring which in fact add the color and depth necessary for a personal ad to be truly effective. Show that you are an educated and intelligent person through interesting word choice, clear ad structure, and colorful and creative descriptions.

- Johnny wrote:
Try to avoid long, complicated paragraphs. Don't pack several thoughts into a single paragraph. It makes sense to group two or three sentences in a single paragraph. - [Tue Nov 13th, 2001 at 15:52:06]