Free dating sites offer a host of features that connect potential lovers. One of the first and most important steps on free dating sites is the creation of your personal profile. This is your opportunity to let your personality shine.

In creating a profile on a free dating site, you are required to give some basic information. First, you'll give them your name and gender. Then let the service know whether you're looking for a man, a woman, or both. This starts to narrow the pool of prospects down already.

Free dating sites ask you to give some information on where you live, usually just a ZIP code. This is great if you want to meet someone who lives nearby. Maybe you passed your potential mate in the video store without even knowing!

A free dating site might ask you to give some physical information. Maybe you'll be asked to list your height, weight and eye color. What about that full sleeve of Michelangelo's Pieta that you just got tattooed on your left arm the summer before last? Tell others all about it in your profile. A lot of people are into skin art, and this could come into play with your online connections.

You might notice that profile questions become more and more detailed at this point. If you aren't looking to meet someone who's a duplicate of yourself, feel free to leave some answers blank. Or if you're kind of embarrassed to profess your love for the band Boston and the guitar stylings of Tom Scholz, leave it out of your profile. On the other hand, maybe you're looking for someone who shares that particular musical passion. However much detail you choose to disclose is entirely up to you.

Pick a great photo of yourself. Don't be tempted to touch it up in Photoshop. It shouldn't be too glamorous, unless of course you're a model. Even then, make it a photo that represents the best of your everyday look. And make sure that it's relatively recent. Nobody wants to see your prom picture when you're 31 years old, unless they've really gotten to know you.

So how do you make your profile really stand out on a free dating site? When you are asked to write an autobiography, give it some snap. Think of a clever headline that gives an idea of your personality. Joke a bit if you're a pretty funny person who doesn't take things too seriously. Don't be contrived. Be specific in your questionnaire, and don't leave too many blank answers. Give some specific examples of your humor. Quote "The Big Lebowski" if it's your favorite film. Talk about softball if you love playing.

Make sure that you let others know what you want out of a free dating site. Whether you're looking for a great Friday night or a lifetime of great Friday nights, others will be more apt to check out your profile if they know exactly what you want. Remember that the most important thing is to find someone that you connect with, not someone that your friends think that you should connect with.

And please, spell and grammar check your profile. You want to look like the brilliant person that you are. Unless, of course, you're looking for someone who can't spell either!