By Emily Bartz, NextAdvisor.com
Online dating is a logistically extensive process. There are so many choices that need to be made throughout the process in order to ensure that you're making the right impression and staying true to yourself. From the moment you sign up for an online dating website, you're asked to select words and photos that accurately describe you to a potential date. Even something as seemingly insignificant as your username can mean the difference between landing a date or not. While a username may seem trivial or petty, it is the first thing that other online daters see and will use to create a perception of who you are.
Show, don't tell.
We all know a friend or relative who is notorious for telling others, "I'm hilarious." While that may or may not be true, the fact holds much more weight when that person demonstrates just how funny they are rather than just saying so. The same rule applies when choosing a username for your online dating account. Instead of opting for "funnyman89," choose a name that has a bit more creativity and wit involved -- perhaps make a username that puts a comedic spin on one of your favorite hobbies or another personality trait.
Be thoughtful.
Putting time and effort into all aspects of your online dating life will make for a more satisfying end result. All too often, online daters gloss over the importance of creating a unique username. This may be due to the fact that for the most part, we tend to simply use our name or a variation of our name and call it a day. However, being safe online means employing a bit of purposeful anonymity, so using your real name as a tag for your online dating life may not be the smartest decision. Instead, users should try to come up with an identifier that will allow them to stand out from the many others inhabiting their preferred online dating site. Choosing words to add in to your username is a bit trickier than you might expect, though. It's a good idea to keep the words you use in your name positive and mature.
Picking the right username is all about finding the right balance between fun, flirty and realistic. Adding words like "hottie" or slang like "lil" may turn fellow daters off and suggest to them that your intentions are not to find a serious relationship. However, adding a quirky adjective or a good pun may show wit and intelligence as well as a sense of humor and is more likely to attract the audience that you're hoping for.
Be authentic.
As with any dating advice, the key to successful online dating is to stay true to who you are. Picking a username that boasts a wild hobby or impressive salary will only draw in those who are looking to take advantage of what material things you have to offer. By staying humble and choosing a username that shows off exactly who you are, you can be sure that you're setting yourself up to find the perfect match. Follow our online dating blog to learn more ways you can stay authentic while you search for love.
This blog post originally appeared on NextAdvisor.com.