Who are you anyway? It’s kind of a philosophical question, but it’s your interests and personal details which really flesh out your online dating profile, and which snags the attention of people who’ve gone beyond your stunning personal photos. It doesn’t have to be a list of hobbies or favorite cereals, but people will get a much better understanding of the reasons why you’re dateable if you can present all the little likes in your life in a compelling way.

Many sites have checkboxes for interests, and while these little boxes may limit your creativity and choices, they’re general enough to include most interests and hobbies. What’s even better is the fact that this info is all available for searching. So if you really dig wind-surfing, you’ll be able to see if there are any other wind-surfing enthusiasts in your neighborhood. It’s a great chance to narrow the field down and pick people with corresponding features, as well as looking for partners who are more than a pretty face. Other sites allow you to type in whatever personal features you want, with the option of hotlinking these interests with other people with similar interests. This is usually the best kind of site to seek out if interests play an important role in deciding who you’re looking to meet. However, both types of sites are good for separating the more likely romantic interests from other people who might not have a single thing in common with you.

It’s your personal interest essay section that will allow you to get into the nitty-gritty details about your recreational life. There’s no need to lie, but you should try to embellish personal details and flesh them out so that readers don’t fall out of the chair from boredom. If you like old cars, don’t just say, “I like old cars.” Try to add some details as to why you enjoy old cars, what makes them so interesting, and why you think it would be cool to share this little fascination with other people. This is one of the places to advertise yourself and put your best aspects out there. Anybody can list “wind-surfing” in the profile, but here’s your chance to show what makes wind surfing a unique part of your life. It’s story-telling time, and the story that you’re telling is what makes you a one-of-a-kind individual with personality aspects that draw like-minded people in.

The last thing you want to be is dull and unenthusiastic about your own enthusiasms. If the most that you can say about windsurfing occupies a single dull sentence, such as, “Wind surfing is fun. Come wind-surfing with me,” you’ll be met by the same less-than-ecstatic response. Naturally, you are more than what you like, but the interests section is usually a good indication of who a person actually is: a lot more than the photo or a simple recital of facts and figures.

With a well-written personal section you’ll not only show why these interests would interest other people but the more entrancing aspects of your personality will also shine through in your writing. A pretty face might get you so far, but a really interesting personal profile will ensure that compatible people will be able to seek you out and share their experiences with you.