When creating your screen name, you might want to consider your best qualities or interests and build it around this. This will not only tell something about you, but also offer prospects something to open up dialogue on. Try for something unique and interesting.

Many sites require your ad to have a headline. This is also extremely important, like a first greeting or introduction. Not only that but, some sites initially provide surfers with just headlines. A good headline should attract someone into your personal ad to find out more about you.

Just as in your screen name, you can use your headline to describe yourself, or what you are looking for. You could also incorporate one of your main interests or an interesting aspect of your personality. Study other people's headlines and see which ones attract your attention. Model yours on these.

Next is the body of your personal ad. You will need to describe yourself and what you want, in specific terms without sending your prospective mate to sleep. This means being descriptive and using action words. It would help to make the following four lists:

1. Things you cannot do without

2. Things that would be nice to have but you can do without.

3. Things you absolutely cannot stand or will not have.

4. Your hobbies and interests

Making the above lists will help will help dig deep into yourself and you find things to write about. It also helps in answering profile questions, both multiple-choice and essay-type.