Don’t let your primary profile photo be a dealbreaker. The traps to avoid:

Your primary profile photo isn’t the only thing in your profile. But it’s the first and only thing people see in the first screen of data when scrolling through a dating site or swiping through a dating app. And it may be the last thing they see if they scroll by or swipe left.

Let’s prevent that from happening.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first and impression. So for all intents and purposes, your primary profile photo is the whole ballgame.

Keep in mind that this may be the one and only time someone sees you, depending upon which app you use. So not only may you not get a second chance to make a first impression, you may not get a second chance to be seen at all.

Most people evaluate a photo in less than a second. You probably do the same. Think how quickly you scroll or swipe past photos.

When your first impression is an instant turnoff, you aren’t likely to look at additional photos or read the profile.

But fear not. Your profile need not be a knockout to get attention. As long as someone is not turned off by your primary profile photo, there’s a good chance they will peruse your others photos and read the description you posted.

Remember, you only have their attention for a moment, so you need to make the most of this opportunity.

I’ve posted “How to take the ultimate profile photo” here. Below are some basic do’s and don’ts to encourage people to pause when they see your primary profile photo, and motivate them to look at your entire profile.

• Make your face the focus. Your face should fill the entire frame, without showing yourself head-to-toe.
• Remember to smile.
• Post a current photo, including your current hair color.
• Don’t wear sunglasses.
• Don’t wear a hat.
• Don’t wear a mask.
• Don’t include your siblings, children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, cats, dogs or vacation destinations. Your primary profile photo should be all about you, and only you.

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