All right, I’m going to come clean. I’m not just a writer. I’m an artist, too. And to promote my art, I use a trendy e-commerce website called Etsy to sell my paintings. As an Etsy user, to gain traction in your ‘shop,’ you need an understanding of how to use search engine optimization or SEO. This process uses a variety of techniques like keyword research and mobile-friendliness to drive organic traffic to increase revenue. The reason I bring this up?
Imagine this dating profile: A photo of a man with a dog. He’s lying in bed. Clothes on (get your mind out of the gutter!). There’s a chihuahua next to him. His caption? If my dog doesn’t bite you, then I will. And at the bottom, the invite to the date of a lifetime: Single, no kids, let’s get a drink. What do you see here other than a potential douchebag? A mobile-friendly photo and a few prime keywords: dog, no kids, booze, single.
So how does all of this connect? I hate to burst your bubble, but no, the online dating sphere doesn’t use SEO–in the traditional sense. However, like keywords in an Etsy shop, dating profiles have specific algorithms that can help users find potential matches.
This algorithm searches for a variety of factors to determine which profiles to present to you–the user. The dating app Zoosk, in fact, stands out from the bunch by offering exactly that. Their behavioral matchmaking system–or personal, artificial intelligence (AI), read ROBOT–can help you find matches by taking into consideration your location, age, gender identity, interests, hobbies, past swipes, and messaging history.
So let’s pretend that your chihuahua hasn’t gotten you a date. Shocker. There’s a holiday coming up. It could be any holiday. But let’s call this one: Cinco de Mayo. (The chihuahua ala ‘Yo Quiero Taco Bell’ may come in handy here). I’m going to tell you a secret. With a few tricks and tips, you can reorient your online dating profile to increase traffic to your ‘personal shop,’ your online dating profile, enhancing the likelihood that tonight, maybe this time, you’ll close the deal.
Dating during Holidays
With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, you’re probably wondering if updating your profile will really make a difference. Well, considering dating platforms observe increased activity on their websites or apps during holidays, it might be worth it. There are a few potential reasons this may happen. People have more free time for the holidays, for one. And considering they may be on vacation from work or have fewer social obligations, they may be on the lookout for opportunities to meet new people.
Holidays can also be a time when people feel more lonely, especially if they are single and don’t have a partner to celebrate with. This can lead them to seek connections on dating platforms. And while this is usually most common during that stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, other holidays, like Cinco de Mayo, have also caused spikes on dating apps.
Depending on the holiday, there may be seasonal interests that you can highlight in your profile. For example, if it’s Christmas, you might mention that you enjoy holiday baking or watching Christmas movies. This can help you connect with people who share similar interests and make it easier to start a conversation.
You can also update your photos to reflect how you want to spend your time during the holiday. Once when I was on vacation in a beach city, I posted a picture of me on a sailboat with the caption: looking for someone to go sailing with. Did I have a sailboat? No.
The photo was from a few months earlier on a friend’s boat. Was I hoping to match with someone who had a boat and invited me out? You bet. Did it work? No! But did I get more matches and have a handful of fun conversations? Absolutely.
You get the idea. Like vacations, holidays can put people in a more festive and positive mood. It’s a break in their regular schedule, something to look forward to. By updating your profile with holiday-themed photos or messages, you can show that you’re in the holiday spirit and create a more upbeat and welcoming vibe on your profile.
So where do you start?
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is an excellent opportunity to meet new people. Not only are strangers more open to meeting up, but it’s likely the atmosphere will create a positive mood that will give you ample things to talk about, especially if you’re the introverted, shy type.
And if you’re nervous about meeting up with someone you don’t know, keep this in mind. Cinco de Mayo is a festive holiday, one where people often gather in droves for parades and celebrations. There are no hard lines and rules to dating, but especially with holidays, don’t hesitate to invite your match out to join you and your friends. Group hangs out can take away the intimidation factor that first dates also bring, and this is a perfect opportunity to do just that.
To increase the possibility of matches during Cinco de Mayo, make sure that your profile is up-to-date and includes some references to either the holiday or Mexican culture. This could consist of adding new photos that show you celebrating the holiday in the past or mentioning your love for Mexican food or music in your profile description. It’s essential to be aware of cultural appropriation, however.
Some Mexican-Americans may be turned off by you pretending to know Spanish or bragging about that time you went to Cancun and how that gives you permission to celebrate the holiday. Be lighthearted in your approach, and like with all dating profiles–don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
Updating Your Photo
When choosing a Cinco de Mayo-themed profile picture, consider a few factors. First, the image should be fun and festive but also appropriate for a dating app. Avoid photos that are too provocative or that could be seen as culturally insensitive.
Some options for Cinco de Mayo-themed profile pictures could include the following:
- Wearing a sombrero: A sombrero is a classic symbol of Mexican culture and can make for a fun and lighthearted profile picture.
- Holding a margarita: A margarita is a popular drink for Cinco de Mayo celebrations and can be a fun prop for a profile picture.
- Posing with a piñata: Piñatas are a popular decoration for Cinco de Mayo celebrations and can make for a fun and playful profile picture.
- Wearing a classic Mexican outfit: If you have traditional Mexican clothing, such as a poncho or huipil, wearing it in a profile picture can be a great way to showcase your love for Mexican culture. However, I’d recommend only wearing this if you have a direct connection to the culture.
Refining Your Bio
Photos alone won’t sell it. You need to weave your personality into your online dating profile, and if you’re refining for Cinco de Mayo, specifically, here are some unique ideas to round out your image so they relate to your new photo.
- Mention your favorite Mexican dishes and restaurants in your profile bio. This can be a great way to connect with potential matches who share your love for Mexican food. You could mention your favorite taco stand, your go-to order at your favorite Mexican restaurant, or your favorite type of salsa.
- Use Mexican food puns in your profile bio. If you’re feeling creative, try incorporating Mexican food puns into your profile bio. For example, you could say something like, “I’m looking for someone to guac my world,” or “I’m a sucker for a good margarita on the rocks.”
- Share your own Mexican cuisine recipes. If you’re a fan of cooking, consider sharing your Mexican cuisine recipes in your profile bio. This can be a great way to show off your culinary skills and connect with potential matches who share your love for cooking and Mexican cuisine.
- Use Spanish phrases in your profile bio. If you speak Spanish or are learning the language, consider including Spanish terms in your profile bio. This can be a great way to show your appreciation for Mexican culture and connect with potential matches who also speak Spanish.
- Include pictures of yourself at past Cinco de Mayo celebrations. If you have pictures of yourself celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the past, be sure to include them in your profile. This can be a great way to show your enthusiasm for the holiday and connect with potential matches who also enjoy celebrating in the same way you do.
- Mention your love for holiday traditions in your profile bio. If you’re someone who loves to celebrate holidays and events, be sure to mention this in your profile bio. You could talk about your favorite holiday traditions or mention some of the other holidays you enjoy celebrating throughout the year.
- Be creative and original. Don’t be afraid to get creative and show off your personality in your profile. You could include a funny Cinco de Mayo-themed pickup line, create a custom Cinco de Mayo meme, or even record a short video of yourself doing the Mexican hat dance.
Just remember: less is more. Pick two, maybe three, max. You still want to show other aspects of your personality outside of the holiday so your future potential partner knows what to expect when spending time with you, even if it’s not a holiday.
How to Plan a Festive Date
It’s all right to illustrate what kind of dater you are before you actually start talking. Incorporating these elements into your profile will let your match know what to expect when they go out with you, especially as this holiday nears.
- Mention your interest in planning a Cinco de Mayo date in your profile bio and say that you’re interested in doing something festive. This can be a great way to attract potential matches who share your interests and are looking for a fun and creative date idea.
- Be specific about your ideas. Don’t just mention that you want to plan a Cinco de Mayo date–be clear about what you want to do. This could include going out for Mexican food at a favorite restaurant, attending a local Cinco de Mayo festival or parade, or having a margarita-making competition at home. By being specific, you can give potential matches a better idea of what to expect and increase the chances of finding someone interested in the same activities.
- Use festive language and emojis in your profile. You can also optimize your profile for Cinco de Mayo by using festive language and emojis. This could include phrases like “let’s spice things up with a Cinco de Mayo date” or “looking for a partner in crime for a Cinco de Mayo adventure,” as well as emojis like tacos, margaritas, or pinatas.
Once the conversation gets rolling, ask them out! And don’t be afraid to invite them to do something before the actual holiday, because if you hit it off, then an easy second-date idea is asking the person if they want to spend Cinco de Mayo with you.
It’s a great way to know if it went well. And if they say no? Invite your next match to hang out for the first time on the actual holiday. It’s a win-win in my book.
Keep in Mind
Many people also use relative hashtags on dating apps to help them find potential matches with similar interests. Consider adding hashtags like #CincodeMayo, #MexicanFood, or #Tequila to your profile to make it easier for others to find you when they’re searching for holiday-related content.
Don’t forget to swipe more. During holidays, people tend to be more active on dating apps, and there’s no point in updating your presence if you don’t increase your activity.
By incorporating some of these tips, your profile will now be optimized for Cinco de Mayo, increasing your visibility to potential matches. And if you do get a match, then great.
Now do something about it! Being proactive in your conversations is encouraged on dating apps, so don’t hesitate to reach out and start a conversation.
The good news? You’ll have things to talk about. An easy start: Got any plans for Cinco de Mayo?
