Adoption Profiles - Making Your Match
I have gotten many calls to create profiles for other families and what a blessing that has been. Getting to know each family is the best part. Maybe it is because I too have been where each of these families are now, but I am amazed at just how I enjoy getting to know each of them.
There was a time in which an adoption profile consisted of a simple letter that described the perspective adoptive family along with a page of a photos. However, in today's world, we are moved to create a brochure style profile. With this new format, adoptive families are able to create a piece that represents themselves in theme, pictures and letter all at the same time.
How do you reach out to birth parents that you don't even know? What information are they interested in? What photos should you select? How many? I have created the list below for you to think about when creating your own profiles. For the profiles I have created, I have set them up as a 4 page brochure, 8.5" x 11".
1. Letter: What should you write... Well, I suggest starting with a simple outline. By doing this, you will have automatic sub heads which help to break up the letter and make it easier for the birth parents to read and for you to select photos. Sub head topics might be "how we met", "about my spouse", "about our children and/or family", "our beliefs", "our community" and so on. Make sure to add little details that make you different then others, like your favorite food or music, maybe why you chose your specific career or style of house. By breaking up your letter, you will allow the birth parents to be able to quickly look through for information that is important to them. It is impossible to know exactly what bit of information a birth parent is seeking in a profile letter, but setting up your profile so that it is easy to read makes it more likely to be picked up. Don't go crazy writing. Too much information is cumbersome to read. The goal is 2 typed pages in Word. That allows room for your photos and theme to be sprinkled throughout the letter to fill the 4 pages.
What NOT to write: Avoid specific information regarding the town or city in which you live or your place of work. While you may decide to share this information with your child's birth family in the future, you need to respect that they may not want too much identifying information and could pass over your profile because of this.
2. Photos: For a 4 page brochure, I suggest 12-15 photos of different sizes. Have at least 1 large close up. Make sure to include a picture of your pets, but do not overdo it. One picture is enough. Show images of vacations, family gatherings and action photos of you doing things you love to do. If you have other children, make sure that the photos you use are the most current. If you are signing up to adopt a second child shortly after being placed with your first child you may want to print fewer profiles and replace your little ones picture with a more current one if your printed profiles run out. This way, you show that your little one is not a new born anymore. Also, be cautious as to how many photos of your children you use. You want to make sure that it looks like there is room for another little one in your life.
3. Theme and color: I always ask couples to select a theme and colors that represent them. Many have requested outdoors, gardening, travel, or beach. Try to be unique, but honest in your theme. A theme can be brought into the profile as a texture in the background or a style of font. It just adds a nice touch that ties the whole piece together.
Hopefully this will help you in creating your adoption profile and get you on your way to creating a beautiful piece that represents you! If you have any questions regarding profiles or need help creating one, just email me at admin@tiestome.com
There was a time in which an adoption profile consisted of a simple letter that described the perspective adoptive family along with a page of a photos. However, in today's world, we are moved to create a brochure style profile. With this new format, adoptive families are able to create a piece that represents themselves in theme, pictures and letter all at the same time.
How do you reach out to birth parents that you don't even know? What information are they interested in? What photos should you select? How many? I have created the list below for you to think about when creating your own profiles. For the profiles I have created, I have set them up as a 4 page brochure, 8.5" x 11".
1. Letter: What should you write... Well, I suggest starting with a simple outline. By doing this, you will have automatic sub heads which help to break up the letter and make it easier for the birth parents to read and for you to select photos. Sub head topics might be "how we met", "about my spouse", "about our children and/or family", "our beliefs", "our community" and so on. Make sure to add little details that make you different then others, like your favorite food or music, maybe why you chose your specific career or style of house. By breaking up your letter, you will allow the birth parents to be able to quickly look through for information that is important to them. It is impossible to know exactly what bit of information a birth parent is seeking in a profile letter, but setting up your profile so that it is easy to read makes it more likely to be picked up. Don't go crazy writing. Too much information is cumbersome to read. The goal is 2 typed pages in Word. That allows room for your photos and theme to be sprinkled throughout the letter to fill the 4 pages.
What NOT to write: Avoid specific information regarding the town or city in which you live or your place of work. While you may decide to share this information with your child's birth family in the future, you need to respect that they may not want too much identifying information and could pass over your profile because of this.
2. Photos: For a 4 page brochure, I suggest 12-15 photos of different sizes. Have at least 1 large close up. Make sure to include a picture of your pets, but do not overdo it. One picture is enough. Show images of vacations, family gatherings and action photos of you doing things you love to do. If you have other children, make sure that the photos you use are the most current. If you are signing up to adopt a second child shortly after being placed with your first child you may want to print fewer profiles and replace your little ones picture with a more current one if your printed profiles run out. This way, you show that your little one is not a new born anymore. Also, be cautious as to how many photos of your children you use. You want to make sure that it looks like there is room for another little one in your life.
3. Theme and color: I always ask couples to select a theme and colors that represent them. Many have requested outdoors, gardening, travel, or beach. Try to be unique, but honest in your theme. A theme can be brought into the profile as a texture in the background or a style of font. It just adds a nice touch that ties the whole piece together.
Hopefully this will help you in creating your adoption profile and get you on your way to creating a beautiful piece that represents you! If you have any questions regarding profiles or need help creating one, just email me at admin@tiestome.com
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