In a dating market that will always be glutted with eligible singles, you need to think like a pitchman (or woman) if you want to stand out. To help you get into this mind-set, we spoke with five of the hippest bigwigs in the Gotham advertising game and asked them how they would sell a bachelor or a single lady in today's scene.

Nina DiSesa
Chairman, McCann Erickson New York, and author of Seducing the Boys Club: Uncensored Tactics from a Woman at the Top
“Every tactic we use in the ad game, from humor to kids to dogs and special effects, is designed to make the consumer fall in love with the brand. We try to create a sense of surprise. When you meet someone at a bar or a party, they've already looked at you and made an instant capsulation of who you are; when you speak, you either confirm or contradict that impression. You have about one minute to surprise them. Use that time to engage them the same way we do in advertising. Don’t use clichés. Don't let them anticipate what you’ll say next. Be unexpected.”

David Sciascia
Creative director, Digitas
“We do a lot of online marketing, which is how lots of dating happens today. First rule: Don't sell yourself as a boring commodity. Saying ‘I love music and movies’ is way too bland. Take a chance. Lead with an opinion. It's the starting point of that first conversation. ‘I loved Ellen Page in Juno,’ or ‘LCD Soundsystem rocks!’ expresses so much more of your character. After that, be confident and be real. Separate yourself from everyone else on the shelf. This is New York City!”

Richard Kirshenbaum
Cochairman and cofounder, Kirshenbaum Bond Partners, and coauthor of Closing the Deal
“The rule in marketing is to play up the positives, the things that make you unique. We call these USPs (unique selling propositions), and you put them on display first. If you're not sure what your USP is, conduct your own focus-group study. Ask your close friends, ‘What do you like most about me? What makes me unique?’ Even your negative attributes can benefit from a little spin. Turning, ‘I like to party! I’m a player!’ into ‘I’m really outgoing. I have a lust for life’ softens the edges. Also, watch your hygiene. First impressions count, especially how you smell. If you’re a man, buy some vanilla scent. Women love that scent.”

Doug Raboy
Managing partner, Hanft Raboy and Partners
“We market Match.com, so people really are our product. Good marketing answers the basic questions about who you are. Got money? A special interest? Love the Knicks? There’s your headline. Next, who’s your audience? If you’re a woman of 35, are you looking for a guy your age? Younger? Older? How much older? Katie Couric is 51 and dating a 33-year-old. If that's what you have in mind, go after it. Finally, communicate what’s new and improved about you. Did you just lose 15 pounds? Get a haircut? A wax job? And of course, if all else fails, give something away for free.”

Christine Bastoni
Creative director, Offsite Creative
“Marketing over the long run is all about branding. First, do a little personal review. What’s your look? Your tone and manner? Your voice? These things comprise your brand identity. Knowing who you are and expressing it consistently will help you differentiate yourself from everyone else. This is true whether you wrap yourself in monochromatic simplicity (think of any Apple product) or embrace a signature hairstyle (ever seen Tinsley Mortimer without her ringlets?). These things break you away from the rest of the pack, and the confidence that comes from projecting a consistent identity will give you an edge.”