Now, I am not a single parent, but I am a veteran of the online dating world. So I have a few tips to offer about the process. We’ll start with two of the biggies this week:

Tip Number 1: You must have a picture. I know love is not wholly superficial, but let’s face it: Everyone has a type. Not only that, but without a picture, who’s to say you are not Jack the Ripper? Online daters (at least the smart ones) are wary about the process to begin with, and if they don’t see a picture to go with a profile, they are likely not going to take your word that you are a Jake Gyllenhaal or Angelina Jolie look-alike.

And don’t just grab any old picture out of the album. This is the first impression your future partner will have of you, and you know what they say about first impressions: You don’t get a chance to make a second one. So pick a really great pic — one that’s medium to big in size, clear, and showcases you in your best light (in other words, you shouldn’t be making a goofy face). It should also be recent (no older than one or two years ago) and look like you. What do I mean by “look like you?” Well, if you have a picture that shows you really dressed up, with makeup, and in your real life you are a no-makeup-and-sweats kind of gal, then that’s not the best picture to go with. Surprise is not the reaction you are going for on your first date. Also, don’t feel the pressure to be sexy in your picture, unless that’s the image you want to portray.

Want to have someone else do the job? While there are a lot of companies and independent photographers that offer professional portraits, they tend to glam you up for the picture, and that’s not what you want if you are not a glamorous person by nature. Also, you may feel uncomfortable having a stranger take your picture and that could show in your portrait. Best bet: Have a good friend snap the shot. You’ll likely be at your most natural.

Tip Number 2: You must fill out your profile with a few well-written paragraphs. One-liner profiles are not going to get you anywhere in the online dating world. Think of yourself as a product. (I know it’s kind of a lame analogy, but just work with me here.) Would you buy an electronic gadget off the Internet for hundreds of dollars without reading a description of it first? No. Of course not. So why should someone click on your profile without knowing what you’re all about? You don’t have to (and you shouldn’t) get too personal, but you should give people at least a general idea of what to expect. Is your religion important to you? Are you a sports nut? Do you love dining and dancing? Are you funny? You can include a few generic-sounding descriptions, but also focus on the attributes that make you really you. Is there something you especially excel at that most people don’t? What’s the craziest, most spontaneous thing you ever did? You want to give your audience a sense of what makes you tick, your special passions.

If you’re really stuck, ask a friend to describe you in a paragraph or two. You also want to stay away from describing any negative qualities you may have. Yes, one day, your future partner will find out you are about as clean as Oscar Madison. But why make that day today? On a dating site, people are looking for red flags. What wouldn’t bother them in a relationship will bother them as they scan profiles. Weird, but true.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series, as I discuss other tips.

Until next time!