Read first.
Photos after.
Ballad Match is dating that starts with a story. You write one, you read theirs, and nobody’s photos open until a story has been liked.
Maren34, Porto · 3 min read
I keep a list of good benches
There’s one behind the fish market that gets the last sun of the day. I’ve read most of a novel there, a chapter at a time, and I’ve never once seen anyone else sit on it.
I’m a slow walker and a fast talker. I’d like to meet someone who’ll argue with me about where to eat and then be right.
Maren’s photos are sealed. Try liking her story.
How it goes
1
Write your story
A few paragraphs in your own voice. No prompts to fill in, and no photo sitting on top of it.
2
Read theirs
Like a story and its author gets yours to read, with your photos. You’ve seen none of theirs yet.
3
Photos open
If they like yours back, their photos open to you. Everyone has at least three.
4
Talk
Say yes to the photos and messaging unlocks, with plenty to talk about already.
Fair questions
- I need to be attracted to someone. Is this for me?
- Yes. Photos aren’t optional here, they’re just second. You see exactly what someone looks like before you exchange a word. The difference is that by then you already like how they think.
- Isn’t this for people who’d rather hide their photos?
- Nobody hides. Three photos are required before you can like anyone, and both people see each other’s before a word is exchanged. The order changes, the honesty doesn’t.
- Why would the order matter?
- A photo first invites a half-second verdict. A story first means that when the photos open, you’re looking at a person you’re already curious about.