I came to similar conclusions that the best way is to put a profile out there that clearly says I am TG. The difference is I am pre-op and I only like women. Of course at the moment for me it has only been a plan, I might lament the lack of a partner, but I am still technically married and while I am single and separated, I just don't feel I am quite ready to put myself out there again just yet.
As far as distance goes though, If you let people see your profile in your region and it clearly says you are out, that would out you to the larger community, but if you live in a densely populated area then I am not so sure just how much something like that would spread. If however you live in a small town for example, if one person sees it and knows then everyone will. I understand wanting a partner to know your history but not wanting the cashier at the supermarket to know.
I would caution against advertising much outside of your region, my experience with long distance relationships is that many people don't consider them "real" and have them with more than one person while telling you that you are the only one...but, I might just be jaded.
No matter what you did be safe.