Use The Rule of 9's For App Photos

Why Your Gay App Profile Needs a Nine-Picture Arsenal

You need to post at least nine pictures. That may sound excessive to some, but research shows the more pics you have (up to a point—you’re not running a yearbook here) the more likely you’ll get the kind of hookup or date you want.

Posting lots of good pictures shows that you’re confident with your appearance. And let’s face it—confidence is sexy. Even if you’re not gorgeous, great photos showing your best self in a relaxed, happy manner cracks open the door of opportunity.

Besides, there’s an even better reason to post a lot of pics : They erase doubt about what you look like. The #1 reason guys don’t meet other guys online is that they’re suspicious of the other guys’ pictures. You must eliminate all doubt and do it without them asking you for more pictures or for clarification. This is probably the most critical aspect of meeting hotter guys: DO NOT LEAVE ROOM FOR DOUBT ABOUT WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.

Look at the conclusion of a research study we did on a gay singles app:

Question #1: “What is the principal reason that you hesitate to contact or respond to somebody who initially looks like your type of guy?”

Answer: His pictures made me doubt what he looks like in real life.

Question #2: “What is the principal reason that you hesitate or refuse to give a guy your number after you showed him initial interest?”

Answer: His pictures made me doubt what he looks like in real life.

Question #3: “What is the principal reason that you hesitate or refuse to meet a guy if you’ve talked to him on the phone?”

Answer: His pictures made me doubt what he looks like in real life.

Question #4: “Have you ever failed to show up after agreeing to meet a guy online, and if so what was the principal reason?”

Answer: His pictures made me doubt what he looks like in real life.

The research conclusions are crystal clear: If you want to eliminate the flake & fake factor, if you want to increase the number of hits you get, if you want him to arrange a meeting and actually show up, DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY REASON TO QUESTION YOUR PICTURES.

And it’s not just any nine pictures, by the way. The formula for doubt-prevention goes like this:

FOR HOOKUP SITES

1) Three body shots (face can be edited out for privacy in the public section of the site)

2) Three face shots (again, you can put this in the password protected area)

3) Three shots with face connected to body

#3 is critical. Because without it you raise doubt about what you look like. And once doubt sets in you buy yourself a wishy-washy, ambivalent guy on the other end who can’t make up his mind whether he should meet you or not. And if he does agree to a meeting, he may or may not show up.

Not having pictures that have your face connected to your body is probably the biggest subconscious deal killer for guys of a higher caliber. These are the guys who have higher standards than most, and whether they’re tricking or dating, they want to know they’re dealing with somebody real (and real good looking!).

FOR DATING APPS

1) Three body shots (DO NOT edit out face)

2) Three face shots

3. Three action shots of you doing something you like (other than having sex!)

The point of #3 is that you want guys to know what you’re interested in—travel, sports, sudoku, whatever. These kinds of pictures put you in the context of doing things you love, which usually results in the pictures sending off good vibes.

Why You Need Shirtless Shots Whether You’re Going For Sex Or Love.

Let me explain. If you eliminate the two ends of the gay dating spectrum….

He’s Strictly A Dick Pig…. To …. He’s Strictly A Relationship Guy

What’s in between? About 95% of gay men: A) Guys who want a sexual experience with some level of emotional connection and B) Guys who want to date for a possible LTR (long term relationship), but don’t want to lose out on hot sexual experiences.

In other words, whether you’re looking for a hookup, a date, or a relationship, sex appeal matters. And the fastest way to get a “hubba hubba” out of guys is to ditch the shirt. Whether you’re on Grindr or HInge, you should have sexy shirtless pictures as part of your ahem, package.

What if you just can’t, CAN’T bring yourself to go shirtless? If it’s because you’re shy and you don’t want to pose with your shirt off, remember, you can take shirtless pics in the context of doing something—playing sports, digging in the garden, etc. In fact, shirtless shots in a natural context are far more powerful than the ones posed in your living room.

If you can’t bring yourself to post shirtless shots because you’re not in the best shape, then at least wear some form-fitting shirts.

Next Week: Guidelines For Capturing Your Hottest Self.