1) Online dating is like doing research for a paper. You don't just sit down and write a paper, you do research first. Look at your competition for guys, and look at what they've written. You don't have to be the best looking guy in your state; just have the best profile within 100 miles!
Differences between my profile and others. Instead of listing my interests and how awesome I am I say something like "I used to have a list of things I liked to do, such as: taking tango classes with strangers, making a complete mess in the kitchen, serenading girls outside their window with my guitar..." you get the point. Instead of saying I like dancing, I describe it and make it spontaneous. I don't say I like cooking...I say I like to make a mess in the kitchen. And I don't say I play guitar...I put the idea of me serenading them outside their windows...into their heads! The best part of all, is I start it off by saying that I USED to have this list...and then I say something like, "But now I just want to find someone to go sledding with and who'll make me hot chocolate." - I get 2 messages a day focused strictly on hot chocolate.
Women (and men) have these great memories of their childhoods (going to write a post on this later) and if you can get them into that state...they are automatically going to be happy/nostalgic and feel like they know you a little bit.
2) Thumbnails stand out...easy. Colors, placement of face in photo, and accessories. My current thumbnail is me in Scrubs with a surgical mask on. It stands out. Prior to that I was wearing a bright red shirt against a crazy blue sky. Look at females thumbnails and notice what makes you pick theirs. If you are good looking...have it be a closer up photo so they can see your face... if not...distract them
