Buzz
Texting someone new might seem daunting. You want to establish a connection and reveal a bit about yourself, but you don't want to come across as too eager. Fortunately, we have plenty of tips to help you kickstart the conversation!
Steps
Introduce yourself clearly in your initial text.
Provide your name and context of your acquaintance. Avoid the awkward scenario of receiving a reply asking, 'Sorry, who's this?' It may not be the most inventive opening, but it allows them to save your number if necessary. Also, don't wait too long to text after receiving their number to ensure you're fresh in their memory.
- For example, you could say, 'Hey, this is Leah from the gym earlier!'
- Alternatively, 'Hi Jim, it's Chris from work!'
Find a mutual interest to discuss.
Recall a past conversation or review their profile. Bringing up shared interests feels natural in face-to-face conversations, so it's a great way to start texting as well. It shows you were attentive during your previous interactions and helps maintain the conversation's flow.
- If their profile features a picture with their dog, you could ask, 'What's your dog's name? I have a lab named Max!'
- You could also mention, 'I remember you mentioned you enjoy skiing. I'm heading out with some friends this weekend. Any tips?'
Begin with a snippet of an intriguing story.
Leave them curious about what comes next. To engage someone, use a hook that piques their interest and makes them want to know more. Ensure you have an interesting story to follow up, or the conversation might lose momentum after the reveal.
- 'You won't believe what just happened to me!'
- 'I have to share this funny incident with you!'
- 'Something unexpected just occurred, and I can't wait to tell you!'
- 'You're not going to believe the story I have for you!'
Offer a genuine compliment.
Boost their mood from the start. Everyone appreciates a genuine compliment, so if you admire something about them, don't hesitate to express it. However, moderation is key—overdoing it might come across as insincere.
- Keep it simple yet heartfelt with a comment like, 'It was great meeting you!'
- You could also suggest, 'You seem really interesting. Let's catch up again soon!'
- Alternatively, get specific by mentioning, 'Your sense of humor is incredible. I'm still laughing at your joke about the turtle!'
Seek their advice.
Demonstrate your respect for their expertise. If you're aware of their proficiency in a certain area, asking for their guidance can be flattering. Moreover, it can enhance their perception of you. Utilize this opportunity to delve deeper into the subject matter.
- For example, if you've noticed their impeccable fashion sense, you could send them two outfit options and inquire, 'Which one should I wear for my interview?'
- If their profile indicates a passion for cooking, you might inquire, 'I'm planning a barbecue with friends tomorrow. Any stellar tips for grilling steak?'
Share a humorous meme or GIF.
Initiate a conversation without words. Memes, GIFs, and emojis serve as excellent tools for conveying thoughts and emotions. Moreover, they alleviate the pressure of coming up with an opening line. If you stumble upon something amusing on social media that you think they'll enjoy, share it with them and leverage their response to prolong the conversation.
- For instance, if you're feeling exhausted after a long day, you could send a GIF of someone collapsing. If you simply want to greet them, a waving clip could suffice.
Share an intriguing piece of content.
Demonstrate your attentiveness to their interests. As your relationship develops, keep an eye out for articles, videos, or announcements that align with their interests. If you come across something relevant, share it with them accompanied by a brief note like, 'Have you seen this?' or 'This reminded me of you.'
- For instance, if you share a passion for music, you might send them a blog post announcing a concert by your favorite band.
Continue expanding on the discussion.
Avoid jumping between topics too quickly. When engaging in a conversation, allow it to naturally progress without abruptly changing subjects. Doing so may give the impression of inattentiveness. However, if the conversation starts to lose momentum, it's acceptable to transition to a new topic.
- If the person is discussing their workday, you could inquire further or share details about your own day.
Pose open-ended inquiries.
Encourage them to elaborate on their responses. Asking questions is an excellent way to learn more about someone, but try to steer clear of inquiries that can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' Instead, frame your questions to encourage the other person to provide more details, increasing the likelihood of them opening up to you.
- Instead of asking, 'Do you like pizza?' you could inquire, 'What's your favorite pizza topping?'
- Similarly, rather than asking, 'Did you have a good day at work?' you might ask, 'What do you enjoy most about your job?'
- Additionally, strive to respond to questions with complete sentences rather than single-word answers.
Keep the tone light and playful.
Adopt a relaxed and humorous approach. Maintain an overall positive, witty, and light-hearted tone in your texts. While not every message needs to be humorous, maintaining an upbeat attitude increases the likelihood of keeping the other person engaged in the conversation.
- Avoid using sarcasm, as it may not translate well through text. Also, steer clear of sensitive topics like politics, religion, health, intimacy, or finances. It's better to reserve discussions on such matters for when you know each other better, and in-person conversations are often more suitable for these topics.
Take a texting break if they're unresponsive.
Respect the other person's time. Just because someone carries their phone with them doesn't mean they're obligated (or able) to respond to texts immediately. If you notice brief responses or extended delays between messages, the other person may be preoccupied. In such cases, it's best to occupy yourself with other activities for a while.
- If the other person consistently responds with short answers, they may not be keen on texting. However, this doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of interest in you—some individuals simply prefer other means of communication over texting, and that's perfectly fine!
Interesting Text Conversation Starters
Questions for Texting Someone NewHelpful Tips
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Emojis can add a playful touch to your messages, but it's best to use them in moderation—especially when texting colleagues or professional contacts.
