In cyberspace, no-one can hear you flirt. Nor can they see your seductive eye contact, or your subtle, sexy body language. The only weapon in your online armoury is your personal ad, so you'd better make it a good one

With half the nation's 15 million adult singletons looking for love online, you need to stand out from the crowd. But how? Here are some top tips for working that profile space.

1. Know your audience
Market research first, pick 'n' mix later. Know what kind of man you want to attract, and write your ad for him. Who wants an inbox full of men you've got nothing in common with?

Browse the profiles of guys you'd like to date and make notes about the things that catch your eye. Control the urge to contact them straight away. Writing your profile takes priority.

If you're attracted by profiles written with a dry sense of humour, write yours with a dry sense of humour. If you respond to sincerity, write sincerely. If you like ads where men list the things they love, from music to pizza toppings, make your own list. Not only will a list help cure your writer's block, but it's also a great conversation-starter.

2. Know your competition
It's also a good idea to browse profiles written by other women. This helps give you a feel for what works and what doesn't. But don't just nick lines that aren't about you. You're trying to sell yourself, not someone else.

3. Sell, sell, sell!
Now for the hard part. And, as every beer company knows, the way to a man's heart is through a great advert, so think like an advertiser.

It may feel weird to list all your good qualities and publish them for the world to see. But this is dating, and you have to like yourself before someone else can like you. More than the wittiest dash of self-deprecation sounds whiney and self-pitying. Confidence attracts.

4. Don't overdo it
No-one likes a show-off. State who you are with confidence, but know where to set your bragging limit. 'I make a spectacular picnic' is fine, but 'I'm very good-looking and no-one can understand why I'm single' is just another way of saying: 'You will never fancy me as much as I fancy myself.'

5. Make them laugh
People love to laugh and be around someone who makes them happy. But simply stating 'I'm really funny' proves nothing. Show that you're fun to be around through the tone and wording of your ad. Don't unleash a string of one-liners. Just keep your profile upbeat, fun and informal.

6. Tell an anecdote
A brief reference to an interesting experience is a great way to reveal something about you and your attitude to life. Even better, it gives a prospective dater something to respond to.

Charlie, 32 started her ad with: 'This is the second scariest thing I've ever done, after jumping out of a plane over the Australian outback.'

7. Give an idea of your goals
If you're an independent, itchy-footed kind of lass who wants to travel the world in a couple of years, mention it in your ad. This helps to attract similarly-inclined men, while helping to rule out the kind of chaps who want to marry by the end of the month.

By the same token, if you're looking for a life partner, say so. Avoid mentioning previous relationships or break-ups, since it suggests that you haven't moved on.

8. Tell the truth
Don't lie in your profile. Adding four inches to your height and taking five years off your age may attract men who are looking for the woman you're describing, but not the men who are looking for the real you.

Lies have a nasty habit of being exposed once you start dating someone. You will destroy any trust in your new relationship straight away.

9. Check your spelling
Sloppy grammar and spelling makes you look like you can't be bothered. You'd never send out a job application letter littered with spelling mistakes, so why should you be any less careful when you're looking for a man?

10. Keep it brief, but not too short
Most people don't write enough in their profiles, while some write far too much. How can you tell what's just right?

Again, refer to the ads you've read. The ones that caught your eye were probably longer than 50 words but shorter than the maximum word limit. Give enough information about yourself to attract the right man, but don't write an essay. Adjectives just waste space. Whet their appetite with some choice details, and leave them wanting more.

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