Midlife Dating: Laurie Gerber
Writing your profile can feel awkward, but the right dating profile tips for women over 50 can help you stand out, without oversharing or sounding generic.
The Most Common Mistakes, And Best Dating Profile Tips For Women Over 50:
You finally open up the dating app, and there it is—the blank box next to “What makes you unique?” You freeze. Is this the best place to share your love of New York bagels? Is it too soon to mention your three divorces and obsession with Candy Crush?
Your questions and concerns are normal, and as a love and dating coach for the last 20 years, I have helped countless wonderful women pick the best prompts and answer them in a way that gives just the right kind and amount of information.
Please do not blow off this opportunity to present the best of who you are while still leaving room for mystery. I know it can feel overwhelming, but prompts are how a potential mate figures out if they want to know you more.
The major pitfalls women over 50 fall into with prompts are half-assing it, being boring, and playing to the wrong audience. Let me explain:
❌ DON’T: Leave It Blank (or Phone It In)
Why Halfhearted Dating Prompts Won’t Get You Noticed:
If you skip prompts or half-ass them, you miss the chance to show you’re a real, unique person. One-word answers like “Coffee” or “Naps” don’t inspire anyone to message you. It’s the equivalent of shrugging in conversation.
Essays are not needed or desired. But answering prompts with care is one of the best ways to show you are serious and trying hard to connect, which is rare and appreciated.
✅ DO: Be Specific, Not Generi
How to Be Specific (Without Oversharing):
The most interesting conversations start with specific details. Instead of “I love to travel,” say, “I once took a solo trip to Lisbon to find the world’s best custard tart.” This gives someone something to connect with—and maybe even tease you about.
You need to paint a picture and give tons of details that a person can respond to, ask more about, or relate to.
Make your answer tell a story if you can, remember, from college essays, show, don’t tell. People don’t remember details; they remember how you made them feel.
Prompt: “The quickest way to my heart is…”
❌ Kindness and honesty.
✅ Making me a strong cup of coffee just the way I like it, sending a funny article mid-day, and knowing the difference between the NY Times crossword puzzles.
Prompt: “A perfect Sunday…”
❌ Relaxing and enjoying the day.
✅ Morning walk before it gets too hot, farmers market haul, and prepping a big salad while dancing in my kitchen to 70’s hits.
Prompt: “I’m overly competitive about…”
❌ Everything!
✅ Beating my sister at Wordle, guessing old movie quotes, and all board games.
❌ DON’T: Trauma Dump
What Not To Share (Even If You Think It’s Honest):
Prompts are not the time to vent about your past relationships, your ex’s bad behavior, or the ways the world has let you down. You need to put your happiest, brightest, best foot forward in your ad.
Talk about things you like and are interested in. Whatever makes you unique or interesting, it should be revealed in the prompts. You can talk about your heartbreaks down the line but not before you know a person.
✅ DO: Use Humor
Why Humor Is A Superpower On Dating Apps:
Playful banter goes a long way. A little self-deprecating humor (“I’ve never met a Trader Joe’s snack I didn’t love”) is often a great hook. Humor shows you’re fun, self-aware, and open to joy.
Prompt: “My simple pleasures”
❌ Reading a good book.
✅ Stretching my hamstrings without making a sound. Fresh berries. Leaving Costco with only what I came for (it’s happened once).
Prompt: “A typical Sunday”
❌ Church, chores, maybe a walk.
✅ Spin class, smoothie, then calling my daughter to ask why my Hulu isn’t working. Later: soup, ‘60 Minutes,’ and debating whether to date again or become a nun.
Prompt: “The one thing I’d love to know about you is…”
❌ What are your hobbies?
✅ Have you ever snuck healthy snacks into a movie theater, or are you more of a popcorn-for-dinner type?
❌ DON’T: Write for the Wrong Audience
Write For Him, Not Your Best Friend:
One of the biggest mistakes I see women making is writing with a woman reader in mind. Men and women are not alike, and writing for a male reader usually means:
- Straight and to the point
- Light, witty, playful
- Mentioning things you enjoy that he might too
Prompt: “We will get along if…”
❌ You’re a grown-up who takes care of your body, owns your baggage, and still thinks a long dinner with no phones is the height of luxury.
✅ You’re up for spontaneous road trips, love dogs, and think Sunday mornings are for pancakes.
If you already sound critical, it turns a man off. Also, long dinners, art shows, and theater are not usually top-of-the-list activities for men. Even if you love those, save telling him for when he’s already smitten, or just do those things with friends.
Whatever you do, don’t write what you think they want to hear, and don’t be overly flirtatious or sexual if you want to attract a long-term committed relationship.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Laurie Gerber is a love and dating coach with 20 years of experience working with couples, individuals and groups. She’s been featured widely in print, on TV, radio, podcasts and been the resident love expert at Match, Zoosk, Jdate, and more. Laurie shares free training here. Her dating advice can be found at lauriegerber.com.
