Video Profiles Archives

7 Pro Tips for Crafting an Irresistible Opening Message on a Dating App

Follow these rules to craft an irresistible intro to guarantee a response.

Opening lines on dating apps are the modern-day equivalent of the age-old “meet-cute” – they can make or break your chances of a great digital first impression. Let’s be real: It’s a cutthroat arena out there, flooded with unoriginal pickup lines, grammar disasters, and AI-crafted messages that lack the charm of human imperfection.

So, what’s a love-seeker to do? Before you hand over your romantic destiny to an algorithm, hold up! We’ve spoken to love gurus, language experts, and yes, even some mom-friends for time-tested advice. Below are seven foolproof tips to help you up your messaging game and make a killer first impression with an irresistible opening message.

1. Personalize Your Way Into Their Heart

The cardinal sin of online dating is sending those clichéd, generic openers like “Hey” or “What’s up?” It looks like a mass message and shows lack of effort, which is much less likely to get a response. Instead, show your interest by personalizing your message. Start with referring them by their name. Science shows that people love hearing their name. But beyond that, use the insights from video profile to tailor your message. A fleeting look, an impromptu laugh, a shared love for artisanal coffee – these are the details that make for a powerful conversation starter. “I noticed you’re into hiking, ever tried [local trail]? It’s a killer workout and a killer view!”. Want more proof that personalization is key? Opening lines that reflect that you’ve invested time in getting to know them as an individual get 80% more responses!

2. Engage & Intrigue But Keep It Brief

Here’s the art part: You want to be engaging but not overbearing. See if they mentioned an interest and ask them a fun question about it. For instance, if they mention that they’re into cooking, don’t just ask about their favorite recipe—challenge them a bit! “What’s your signature dish? And can it beat my unbeatable spaghetti bolognese?” This opens up the conversation for playful banter and a deeper connection.

3. Compliments Go a Long Way But Keep it Classy

Everyone loves a compliment, and it never hurts to know that someone thinks you’re lovely. Just keep it classy. Compliments are like social bubbly—they should be effervescent and just enough to make them feel giddy. Stick to safe zones: smiles, style, and swag.

4. Show ‘Em the Real You, Quirks and All

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the bread and butter of real connections. So feel free to use your quirky language and original style. Bonus points if you can find a way to let your individuality shine through. So if you have a habit of making puns, throw in a cheeky one. “If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber. Too much? Maybe. But I’m just here trying to make the ‘beet’ drop.”

5. Opt for Vulnerability rather than AI

Some think if you can’t find something appropriate, to outsource it to AI. Listen, we’re not living in a Black Mirror episode. AI might run our phones, but it shouldn’t run our love lives. Statistics affirm it—83% of people can smell an AI-crafted message a mile away, and they’re not here for it. So if there is nothing particular that jumps out lead with a vulnerability rather than reaching for AI. Something like “I never know what to write on dating apps but you seem awesome and I would really like to get to know you.”

6. Spellcheck is Sexy, Trust

Typos are the bad breath of texting. A quick proofread says “I’m the real deal, and I care enough to hit backspace a couple of times.”

7. Don’t take things too personally

Not getting a response to an opening line can feel like a punch in the gut. But there are a million possible reasons that person didn’t write back, and 99.9% of the time, that has nothing to do with your attractiveness and value as a person.

Online dating is more than the endgame; it’s about the journey, the experiences, and the stories waiting to be told. So gear up, embrace the ride, and get ready to type out messages that will make your matches feel they’ve just found the protagonist in their love story.

Kittenfishing in Online Dating: The Problematic Behavior You Should Look For

We have your guide to spotting deceptive behavior online.

In the ever-evolving world of online dating, new terms and trends emerge, and one that’s been making waves is “kittenfishing.”

It’s a concept that sits somewhere between being genuine and outright deception, and understanding what it is, how to prevent it, and how to detect it is crucial for navigating the online dating scene effectively. FFWD designed our platform around eliminating these kinds of behaviors in favor of authenticity. In this post, we’ll dive into the world of kittenfishing and provide tips on avoiding falling victim to it — no matter what dating app you use.

What Is Kittenfishing?

Kittenfishing is a relatively recent addition to the online dating lexicon, and it refers to the practice of presenting oneself in a slightly exaggerated or misleading way in online dating profiles or social media. While it’s not as severe as catfishing, where someone creates a completely fake persona, kittenfishing involves subtle embellishments or deceptions to make oneself appear more attractive or desirable to potential matches.

Here are some common forms of kittenfishing:

Using Outdated Photos: One of the most prevalent forms of kittenfishing is using older photos that no longer represent your current appearance. This can lead to unrealistic expectations when you finally meet in person.
Selective Information Sharing: One may selectively share information about themselves, highlighting their positive qualities and achievements while downplaying any flaws or negative aspects.
Exaggerating Interests: Some individuals may exaggerate their interests or hobbies to appear more appealing to potential matches.
Misleading Biographical Details: This can include minor age adjustments, height exaggerations, or fabricating professional accomplishments.

Why Do People Engage in Kittenfishing?

Understanding the motivations behind this behavior can shed light on why people resort to it. Some common reasons include:

Insecurity: Individuals may feel insecure about their true selves and believe that presenting a slightly enhanced version of themselves will increase their chances of success in online dating.
Pressure to Impress: The desire to stand out in a crowded online dating pool can lead some people to exaggerate their qualities or achievements.
Fear of Rejection: Daters might worry that if they present their authentic selves, they will face rejection, so they opt for a more appealing persona.

How to Prevent Kittenfishing

If you’re entering the world of online dating or looking to improve your online dating experience, here are some tips to prevent this behavior:

Be Honest About Your Photos: Use recent, unaltered photos that accurately represent your current appearance.
Authenticity Is Key: When creating your online dating profile, be genuine about your interests, hobbies, and achievements. Honesty is an attractive quality.
Open Communication: Encourage open and honest communication with your potential matches. If you sense that someone is being misleading, don’t hesitate to ask questions for clarification.
Trust Your Gut: If something doesn’t feel right or if you suspect someone is kittenfishing, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

How to Detect Kittenfishing

Here are some signs to watch out for:

Inconsistent Stories: If the information someone provides seems inconsistent or contradictory, it could be a red flag.
Too Good to Be True: If a person’s online persona seems too perfect or flawless, they might be exaggerating their qualities.
Refusal to Share Recent Photos: If someone avoids sharing recent photos or provides excuses for not doing so, it could indicate kittenfishing.
Selective Disclosure: Be wary if someone is selective in what they share about themselves, especially if they only highlight positive aspects.

At FFWD, we’re building against problematic dating behaviors like these. Our platform is designed to curb these behaviors, by requiring users to be authentic in their profile onboarding (using unfiltered video). Download FFWD today to get more authentic connections, more efficiently.

Build Your Best Dating Profile in 7 Steps

Unlock better matches with our expert guide to crafting a standout profile

We know the process of creating dating profile, or entering the world of online dating, can be really overwhelming. Whether you’re about to download, or have already onboarded to FFWD, here are our tips for creating the best profile, by you, for you.

1. Be truthful in onboarding.

This might be obvious, but it’s not entirely uncommon to fudge things like age and height when onboarding. While some of these things can later be adjusted, age is usually really hard to go back and fix on a dating app (it usually requires a bureaucratic process, completely recreating your account, and, in some cases, can get you banned). At FFWD, we’ve automatically built into our profile onboarding requirements that protect against misrepresentation (filters, uploading doctored content), but this isn’t the way to go, no matter what platform you’re using. Whether you’re a young 40 misrepresenting a 35 year old, or a 5’9” guy misrepresenting as 6’, there’s nothing worse than starting off a connection on a trail of white lies. If you’re going on dates with the right kinds of people for you, you’ll find that lying about these things proves useless – they’ll like you regardless.

2. Focus on giving potential matches the right insight into who you are

At FFWD, we refuse to believe that people are one, or two, dimensional. No matter what kind of dating app you’re onboarding to, though, it’s important to craft your profile in a way that actually represents you. How would your friends describe you? Your family? Your profile should show a tasteful amount of that. Anyone who’s defining trait is that they’re hot, is boring. While profiles that center entirely on having hot photos might get lots of swipe rights from bots, they’re terrible fodder for genuine connection. We use video to address this issue, but it’s important to use video as a tool to let your true self shine.

3. Is there anything that’s important to you? Let ‘em know.

Most dating apps (ours included) offer prompts and bios to let people express interests, passions, hobbies. Within a scroll of your profile, I should have a rough sense of what you’re about. What do you do for fun (other than eat or drink)? Or, if ALL you do is eat and drink, what’s the best thing you ate recently? Do you cook? Etc. I should be able to ask you, or joke with you, about something other than: work, your pet, or your Sunday morning hangover. When onboarding to FFWD you can video to talk about the things you care about, and start conversations that will actually excite you, as opposed to just small talk.

4. Nostalgia, and quirks, are great fodder for dating profiles

What’s one thing about your childhood or adolescence that you’ve held onto, or look back at and think “what the actual f***?” Let me start with mine. I was o b s e s s e d with Britney Spears as a pre-schooler. Loved a good crop top and lowcut jeans. She was my idol. Now you know something about me that’s a little embarrassing, a little funny, but doesn’t give you a chance to play on my present insecurities. Online dating is weird. It’s funny. It’s fun, and nostalgia and quirks are a great way to let your true colors peak out, without revealing too much.

5. Don’t reveal too much

I don’t want to be reading novellas about your life story. If you’ve lived in 15 different countries, I shouldn’t be forced to memorize them throughout the course of your profile. I don’t need to know about your daddy issues, or other general traumas. Leave some discussion for the date itself. If your profile starts reading like a long form article, or a movie that requires an intermission, it’s time for a re-write. Think of your profile as a trailer for you – you can’t give the whole plot up if you want people to watch the movie.

6. Avoid cliches

You may really love the office. You really might. I’m thrilled for you. So does every other man on every other dating app. While videos profiles on FFWD are designed to eliminate these repeat responses, be conscious of them. Anything about pineapple on pizza, spicy margs, or espresso martinis is also out. Highly replicable answers, while sometimes funny, are an instant “no” because they don’t set you apart from the crowd. If your profile reads like “Hot take… but I like X thing (that literally EVERYONE likes) or I hate X thing (that literally EVERYONE hates), back to the drawing board. A good litmus test is that if you can think of 5-10 people in your immediate circle that are liable to include the exact same prompt, it needs to go.

7. Phone a friend.

Creating an online dating profile can be a really fun exercise, albeit overwhelming, in better understanding what sets you apart from the crowd. If you’re overwhelmed, sometimes the best thing you can do is go thru the process with someone who knows you well (and sees how wonderful you are!) Feedback from good friends on your dating profile is a surefire way to ensure that it’s accurate and representative of the real you.

Online dating gets a bad rap for being a drag, but a lot of that sentiment really comes from the experience of swimming thru bad profiles, and bad dates. At FFWD, we believe that great profiles lead to better dates, and better dating experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned dater, or this is your first pass at dating online, dating success starts in large part with you, your intentions and expectations, and creating a profile that sets you up for better connections. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at info@ffwd-dating.com and we can put you in touch with our FFWD network of dating coaches who can help you create a stronger profile, and date better.

Authenticity in Online Dating: Why imperfection guarantees better matches than any filter

Just be you, silly!

If you’ve just emerged from a twenty-year slumber, welcome back to the wild world of today! Things have changed, and one significant transformation is how people present themselves, especially in the realm of online dating. With high-tech phones and photo-editing tools, anyone can create a digital facade that differs dramatically from reality.

But if you’ve been awake all along, you’re probably well aware of this phenomenon. A trip to the r/IntagramReality subreddit shows how many people distort images of themselves on Instagram, sometimes looking like different people altogether. Mostly, though, they’re laughably bad examples of photo editing with distorted backgrounds or frightening, Picasso-ish aberrations.

But even if not that extreme, In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to be inauthentic. You no longer have to be yourself, not if you don’t want to be. This is the central premise of the popular TV show “Catfish,” where individuals adopt fake online personas, only to reveal their true selves when they meet in person. This disconnect between online and real-life identities leads to heartbreak, drama, and plenty of entertainment for MTV viewers.

While Catfish is an extreme example, many of us engage in a milder form of this behavior from time to time. It’s called kittenfishing: making yourself seem more desirable on a dating app. It’s not outright lying about your identity, like catfishing, but altering your appearance on your dating profile radically from what you’re like in person (posting photos with deceptive angles or from years ago, lying about age, height or occupation, or wearing hats to cover up baldness) or bending the truth in other ways to seem more desirable (fibbing your occupation or hobbies).

There’s no need to pass judgment here because we’re all guilty of it to some extent. We engage in kittenfishing because we’re chasing the illusion of perfection and seeking validation in the form of likes on dating apps.

However, perfection is something that’s sold to us; it’s not an achievable goal. And being “perfect” doesn’t necessarily make you more desirable. For example, studies have shown that we are more likely to find asymmetrical faces more attractive than symmetrical ones. That is, our perception of what is perfect is subjective and not actually universally appealing.

Rejection, although painful, is a natural part of life. If it makes you feel any better, even those who appear “perfect” face rejection. And while being rejected after being “real” with someone is like being stung by a hive of bees when you have a bee allergy, in the dating context, it’s much better to be rejected early on than to invest time in someone who doesn’t have any interest in the real-life, authentic you!

Everyone deserves love and acceptance for who they truly are. It takes courage to be authentic, especially when facing the possibility of rejection. However, it is also the only surefire way to find someone who genuinely appreciates and loves you for being yourself. When you find that person, it’s like witnessing a fireworks display of genuine connection and understanding.

Being yourself leads to a more honest understanding of who you are, creating a first date experience that is confident and free of mismatched expectations. It increases the likelihood of a better first date, a second date, and a more fulfilling dating experience overall. So, in the world of online dating, embracing your imperfections and showcasing your authentic self can lead to the most meaningful connections.

So. In a world where authenticity shines brighter than any digital filter, being yourself is the compass that guides you to genuine connections, ensuring that your search for love is an unapologetically true and rewarding journey.

Video Killed the Photo Star: 7 Reasons Why FFWD’s In-App Video Profiles Are the Only Way to Date

It’s time to upgrade your dating life with FFWD’s fun & easy video profiles.

If you’re one of 42 million Americans who use dating apps to find a partner, you’re likely familiar with the joys of online dating. And by “joys” we mean the odious feelings of frustration and disillusionment that results from the tedious cycle of swiping, matching, and unmatching.

First there is the endless loop of matches that go nowhere. And even if you finally meet up with someone after weeks of texting – not to mention the time-consuming date prep rituals – it’s a giant heap of disappointment when their online profile doesn’t match the real-life person in front of you.

Beyond the physical disparities, charisma and personality that shines through online often falls flat in person, and those elusive “human intangibles” like vibe and character can’t be captured in a few carefully curated photos or cleverly crafted messages. As a result, we end up picking the wrong people based on superficial qualities or missing out on potentially great matches whose true essence cannot be gauged from an online profile alone.

But there’s hope on the horizon for our woes with online dating: video profiles. They offer a game-changing solution to these longstanding problems and could revolutionize the world of relationship apps.

But let’s be clear, not all video is created equally.

FFWD’s in-app video profiles are designed to bridge the gap between the digital and the real worlds to help you find genuine connections faster than ever before.

Here are just a few reasons why FFWD’s video profiles are a must-have to elevate your dating experience:

1. What You See is What You Get.

With traditional photo-based profiles, the real life person frequently bears little (kittenfishing) or no (catfishing) resemblance to their online profile. It’s like ordering a pepperoni pizza and getting a plain cheese or, worse, a salad. But with FFWD’s in-app video profiles, you get to see the genuine, unfiltered look at the real-life person behind each profile right away. That’s because videos are recorded within the app, with no option to upload any external videos, edit them, or apply filters. So what you see is what you’ll get on your first date. Imagine meeting someone in person and actually feeling confident that they are exactly as they appear on their profile. It makes that first date much more pleasant for both sides, without any surprises or disappointments.

2. Capture More Than Just a Moment in Time.

When it comes to finding genuine connections and truly seeing someone, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video can tell you a rich story. With FFWD’s video profiles, you can experience someone’s magnetic energy and effortless charm, and all those real-life quirks. For example, maybe you’ll notice how their eyes light up when they talk about their favorite hobby, or how they absentmindedly play with their hair when they’re nervous. All of these elements combine to create a more complete picture of who the person really is, which can be impossible to glean from a few carefully selected photos.

3. Personality on Full Display.

With video profiles, you don’t have to rely on texts alone to gauge someone’s persona. Instead, you get to see them in action and experience their idiosyncrasies, humor, and energy in a way that photos or texts just can’t capture. Imagine watching someone tell a joke and seeing the cute way they laugh or the twinkle in their eye. It’s like getting a sneak peek of your first date, and it can help you determine if there’s chemistry and attraction beyond the surface level. That way, your first date has more of a second-date vibe!

4. Embrace Your Authentic Self and Be Liked for Who You Are.

With FFWD’s video profiles, you get to put your authentic foot forward and then feel confident that when someone swipes right on you, they’re attracted to the real you, not just your photos or their imagined version of you. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, whether you have a quirky sense of humor or a unique hobby, you can find someone who appreciates you for exactly who you are. Just be your genuine self and you’re sure to find someone who digs you just the way you are.

5. Discover Hidden Gems.

Consider how many amazing people have you passed up on dating apps because their photos just didn’t do them justice. With video profiles, you can discover hidden gems whose charisma, personality, and vibe are only apparent in real life. Maybe you’ll be surprised to find that someone who doesn’t look like your “type” on paper has a laugh that makes your heart skip a beat. You might just find your perfect match with someone you least expected.

6. Reduce the Likelihood of Ghosting.

Studies have shown that people are less likely to ghost someone when they feel a stronger connection to them. With traditional online dating, it’s easy to get caught up in swiping through photos and one dimensional profiles without really getting to know the person behind the screen. It’s hard to get attached to aviators, which makes it easier to abandon a “match”. Video profiles allow users to see the person behind the profile picture, creating a more authentic and honest first impression. This leads to faster connections within the app and a more successful first date, reducing the chances of subsequent ghosting. Additionally, video profiles help to weed out potential mismatches and duds, resulting in fewer disappointing dates and, therefore, less ghosting.

7. Save Time and Fast-Forward to a Real World Spark.

In today’s fast-paced world, time is our most valuable commodity. Imagine how frustrating it is to spend weeks talking to someone online and hours of prepping for a first date, only to find out they’re not a good match in person. With video profiles, you can avoid that disappointment and fast-forward to someone who’s truly worth your time and energy.

So what are you waiting for? Upgrade your dating life with FFWD’s in-app video profiles. Find genuine connections faster than ever before. Download now.