Choose a creative user name to catch the attention of prospective matches

You want to stand out from all the other names and let people see you're something special.

Another way to catch people's attention is by making the headline of your profile a bit fun or flirty

Short and punchy generally works best, and try not to come across as aggressive or overly serious. Finding a match should be a fun process - let your sense of humour shine through! Read more on our Profile Tips page.

Think carefully about the image you want to project of yourself before deciding on which photos to use

You can use your photos to give others a clear visual insight into your personality. Including both a headshot and full body shot can help, as are photos which show the type of person you are. For example, if you are an outdoorsy type, choose outdoors photos set somewhere you love. Or if city sophistication is more your style, try setting your photos in a glamourous restaurant or bar. And remember to dress the part - there's no point trying to create an impression of yourself if your clothing and grooming are telling a different story altogether! For more tips see our Photo Tips page.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

Refusing contact with someone based solely on first glance at their photo can be a huge mistake. The person you were thinking of rejecting because you don't like their haircut or the shirt they're wearing could, potentially, be your soulmate or, if not quite that, then a really great future friend or companion. Take the time to get a feeling for a person's personality before deciding to give them the flick!

Don't bring up your exes when you're trying to get to know someone new

This is particularly important if the relationship/s ended with bad feeling or if you are still hurt or angry over the break up! There is a time and a place for discussing that sort of thing when you are in a relationship, but talking about an ex early on will only make your prospective match uncomfortable or even annoyed that you are not focussing your attention on them and your potential future. And while we're on the subject, it's also not a good time to be offering up details on the number of past lovers you've had. It's just not good form.

Enjoy yourself

Meeting new people should be fun and stimulating, so make the most of it. Even if you don't find your soulmate right off the bat, you might meet some really great people who add some much needed sparkle to your life!