Travel  Online Profile, Quick Question!

Rhyme

Space Monkey
space monkey
Joined
Dec 5, 2014
Messages
43
Location
Puerto Rico
Hey forum,

Are the techniques, discussed on articles and posts, for establishing a great online profile in a dating website also useful in a website for traveling?

(i.e; workaway.info, couchsurfing.org)

Such websites basically ask for a profile picture and some information of yourself so that strangers around the world may consider the possibility of letting you stay in their homes.

Is there any guidelines, or tips, that should be followed when making a traveler profile?
 

Rhyme

Space Monkey
space monkey
Joined
Dec 5, 2014
Messages
43
Location
Puerto Rico
Actually, after trying the website for a couple of months I realized the best profile is the one that says the least.
In other words, most of the hosts (in workaway) aren't looking for an specialist (and when they are, they ask) so they don't need a full review of yourself. Saying little about yourself, and making it simple, helps the host trust you more. For instance, you may write down something like this in the Description:

Hey there! My name's Rhyme, I'm a student and a traveler.

I'm hoping to find someone on here who enjoys a good company, and needs someone committed to work around - doing new things and getting to know people is my hobby.

Hope we meet soon!

You may notice that all I say about myself is 2 words, student and traveler (both pretty obvious), that way I don't scare anybody. Just imagine if I said "I'm a jesuit who likes to smoke weed from different parts of the world", at reading this a large portion of people would be discouraged and would leave immediately, yet it's basically the same thing I said above (student and traveler), but I added personal details (and controversial topics; religion and drugs) that help scare a large proportion of host.
The rest of the description is basically me saying that I like to meet people, but I also work. This way I get both types of person you'll find on the website; those who need a though worker (serious), and those who just need a worker (non-serious).

I started with a profile picture good enough for a dating site, but this ended up scaring people. In the end, I placed a simple picture; me with a simple shirt, smiling, looking at the camera and in the background some forest I traveled to. This way I let people know I'm a regular guy, this opens many doors.

In the Help box I just added simple things:

I love conversations so we can practice as much as you like! :) I have no problems with going out for groceries, talking to strangers and helping others finish their job.

Also, I took lessons on photography, but I'm just as good as someone who hasn't

I suggest you put in your own abilities, but always try to seem humble.

When contacting a host I suggest you also keep it simple, don't write down in a huge list everything you can do. Be simple, say something like this:

I read your description and I would love to teach you some guitar, but I have a few questions;
[Write down simple inquiries you have like:
¿Whats the minimum of time you're asking for?
¿How far away from Paris is it?
¿What kind of work are you asking for?]

All the best,
Rhyme

In conclusion, try to be nobody, that way you'll have more people open to you. They're not looking for your ego, they're looking for someone who works. If you find that you share something with the person, let them know as soon as possible. For instance,they may be a Hare Krishna community, so if you're interested, or you already mediate, ask them about meditation or vegetarian food. Relating is very powerful in this scenario, but don't overdo it and try to be subtle about it.

What I've found out this couple months is that some people will answer, some won't, but making it simple for them gives you an advantage. As of now I'm going to a trip to England and Spain next summer and I'm very excited to finally travel far away from America to meet new people and new places. Especially traveling this earth to understand more about her size.

I hope you get your hands dirty somewhere far away, sometime very soon!

Ciao,
Rhyme
 
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