Interview with Stacy Karyn, Online Dating Consultant & Profile Writer
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to chat with Stacy Karyn, Online Dating Consultant and Profile Writer, about the ever changing world of online dating.
First and foremost, tell me a little about yourself and the sort of services one can expect from an online dating consultant.
Well, I’m originally from California, but as an online dating consultant I have been able to do a lot of moving around over the past few years – New York to Barcelona, to Hong Kong, to the Netherlands, and finally to Germany (which is where I am now). Before I got started with all of this, I had always helped my friends with their own online dating profiles. It wasn’t until later, after witnessing the great results from my profile makeovers, that I considered extending my services to a wider range of people. Turns out that was a very good idea.
The heart of my services is in the online dating profile rewrite. This is where the meat of my work is, but I also provide account management services for busy professionals, general advice sessions, username ideas, photo selections, and basically anything else related to improving one’s online dating experience.
So far in 2017, how have you seen the online dating industry change and evolve? What sort of challenges does this bring for someone like yourself?
The most positive change that I have been observing would probably have to be the recent wide-spread acceptance of online dating. Although it was once a bit taboo, people are now excited and open to talking about their experiences. The world is now embracing this new direction of dating, which is a huge help for me!
Otherwise, I am also a bit curious as to what other types of changes will take place throughout the rest of 2017. I’m expecting that there will be a bigger migration to dating apps (rather than online dating websites), which is something I will have to adjust to a bit. But I thrive on change, so I’ll be ready for it regardless!
When it comes to online dating, what would you say are the most important qualities in online dating profiles?
This is a tough question because there are so many different types of qualities that make up a great online dating profile! Here are a few important ones that come to mind:
The profile should be anything but cheesy – no clichés, poems, or that kind of thing. It’s best to be as authentic as possible to your true voice. Confidence beats cheesiness any day.
There should be a permeating air of positivity. Anything that is slightly negative should be removed immediately. It’s very important to build up trust, and negativity is a quick way to shut that down.
Uniqueness. Don’t copy what other people have written. Nobody else can offer what you can offer. It’s important to incorporate all of your unique quirks and qualities into your profile.
Photos, photos, photos! Ask a couple of your closest friends (or an expert in the industry) for a second opinion. Above everything, a good set of photos is what will bring in the best results.
What sort of advice would you impart to someone getting into online dating for the first time? How would you go about introducing someone to that world?
First of all, I would pump them up with a bit of excitement because people are often times (and understandably) still a bit nervous about putting themselves out there. I would make sure that they are aware of just how fun this whole process can potentially be. The experience of online dating should be viewed as a treat rather than a chore. After all, online dating is fleeting. Once you find the right person, you might never have the chance to do it again!
So enjoy it… and don’t take it too seriously.
In the ever-changing landscape of the online dating world, what’s next for you in 2017 and beyond?
Friendly collaborations and creative thinking will take any dating professional far in this dynamic industry. But on top of that, my plan is to start putting together a range of resources, so that I’m able to help even more people find the perfect match. I’m currently working on a book, I’ve just released a free online dating e-Course, and I plan on doing some helpful videos in the future as well.
But beyond that, only time can tell!