Buzz
Worried your messages might come off as dull? It’s not always easy to tell how your texts are being received, especially when chatting with someone you care about. Don’t worry – we’re here to help. Keep reading for tips and advice on how to text without being dry, and in just a few minutes, you’ll be able to take your messaging game to the next level!
Steps
Send the first message.
People who send dry texts often wait for the other person to start the conversation. All dialogues (including texts!) require a balance of give and take. Instead of waiting for the other person to text first, take the initiative and start the conversation.
- “Have a great Sunday! ☀ Any big plans for today?”
- “Just saw your Snap story! Looks like you had an amazing evening 😄”
Craft messages longer than a single word.
One-word messages don’t make conversations lively. Messages like “Hey” or “Hi” are easy to send but hard to respond to. Longer messages often get more engaging replies and show that you’re genuinely interested in the conversation. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- “Hey! Did you prepare for today’s physics test?”
- “OMG, you won’t believe the dog I met during my walk today 😭”
- “Ms. Huong just took me to a cat café. It was the cutest thing ever 🥺🐈 Let’s go there sometime!”
Write messages with a specific topic.
Real-life conversations focus on specific topics, and text conversations are no different. A message like “What’s up?” or “Are you still awake?” doesn’t carry much meaning; plus, it doesn’t give the other person much to respond to. Make your messages clear and as specific as possible so the other person doesn’t struggle to reply.
- What not to say: “Are you still awake?”
- What to say: “I’m trying to sleep but can’t. Wondering if you’re still up? I’m so bored right now 😂”
Bring up small details they’ve mentioned.
This shows that you genuinely care and are paying attention to what the other person says. Maybe your friend has an important test coming up, or they’re worried about taking their dog to the vet. Send a quick message to check in – they’ll appreciate that you remembered and asked.
- “Hey! You mentioned your sister had a health checkup last week. I hope she’s doing well, and I wish you and your family all the best! ❤”
- “How did the math test go? I know you’ve been studying really hard for it.”
Focus on the conversation.
Give the person you’re texting the same time and attention as you would in real life. Yes, texting is a quick and convenient way to chat, but that doesn’t mean you should send dry or indifferent messages. Take the time to read their messages carefully so you can respond thoughtfully and with care.
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What not to say:
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Them: “I just got a raise!”
You: “Oh, that’s nice.”
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Them: “I just got a raise!”
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What to say:
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Them: “I just got a raise!”
You: “That’s amazing! You totally deserve it! 🥳💗”
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Them: “I just got a raise!”
Reply promptly.
A quick reply shows you’re invested in the conversation. Texting is more enjoyable when both parties actively engage. While you don’t need to respond immediately, try to reply within a few minutes to show you care.
- If you’re busy or in the middle of something, let them know you’ll respond later. You can say something like, “Sorry I missed your message! I’m at the store,” or “Sorry for the late reply. I’m trying to finish my math homework. Haha!”
Drop in a few emojis.
Emojis can make your messages more fun and personal. Let’s be honest, messages without emojis can feel a bit dull. A simple emoji can breathe life into your text.
- “Almost crashed into the neighbor’s car 😂”
- “Got any fun plans for the weekend? 👀”
- “I’m off this Thursday!! 🥳😄”
Add a GIF to your message.
GIFs let you express emotions and playfulness in your texts. Struggling to find the right words? A GIF can say it all. Use your keyboard’s GIF feature or search bar on your phone to find the perfect GIF for your conversation.
- Many GIF keyboards allow you to search and filter GIFs by theme and emotion. It’s a great way to narrow down your options!
Send a funny meme.
Memes are a powerful tool to spark laughter. While trends come and go, memes remain effective for adding personality and humor to your everyday messages. You can’t go wrong with classic meme formats like:
- Cheating boyfriend
- Galaxy brain
- Guy with the “Change my mind” sign
- Drake’s hotline bling reactions
Ask open-ended questions.
Open-ended questions take conversations to a deeper and more engaging level. They require more thought and consideration in responses – in other words, they can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Try asking an interesting question and see where it leads!
- “Do you have any hidden talents?”
- “What’s your biggest achievement?”
- “What songs do you listen to most on Spotify?”
Show off your sense of humor.
A funny message is definitely not dry. Whether your humor is as dry as a desert or you’re known for your punchlines, don’t hesitate to bring some wit into your texts. After all, fun and personalized messages are anything but boring!
- “What did the bartender say when a horse walked into the bar?
Why the long face? 😏” - “I was thinking of buying a PS5, but my bank account said that’s a bad idea 😔”
Send something flirtatious.
An overtly flirtatious message might make the other person wary. You can create a flirty tone by sending an image or something that reminds you of them or hints at the possibility of you two being together. Your messages will be fun and engaging, and they won’t feel dry at all.
- “The other day, I went to the LEGO store with my niece and saw the Seinfeld set. I immediately thought of you! Let’s hang out at my place sometime 👀”
- “You love slasher movies, right?! We should totally watch one together sometime 🤩”
Ask for their opinion on something.
This shows you genuinely care about their thoughts. One-sided messages are worse than dry ones. To make the conversation more engaging, ask for their opinion on a topic. Not only will you learn more about them, but you’ll also have a lively discussion – a win-win!
- “Quick question: Do you think Coca-Cola or Pepsi tastes better?”
- “What’s your favorite pizza? Just a heads-up, I’ll judge you if you say anchovies 🤢”
- “What’s your favorite movie genre? I might take notes for next weekend 👀”
Share something about yourself.
Engaging and thoughtful texters know how to maintain balance in conversations. Did you just make a five-star lunchbox meal? Send a photo. Did you have a weird dream last night? Share the chaotic details. The other person won’t get bored when you bring fascinating stories into the conversation.
- “I think even Gordon Ramsey would approve of the shrimp scampi I just made 😤”
- “Guess who accidentally put a red sock in the white laundry?”
- “I’m a Sagittarius, but if we go by the 13-sign zodiac, I’m an Ophiuchus 🤔”
Say something random.
Unexpected, quirky messages will keep the other person guessing. Did you know McDonald’s in the Philippines serves spaghetti, or that strawberries aren’t technically berries? Well, now you know, but your friend doesn’t! A fun fact or random tidbit will definitely surprise them and make your conversation exciting!
- “Random fact: Basenji dogs howl instead of barking! They’re so adorable. I’m obsessed!”
- “Just found out some mozzarella cheese is made from water buffalo milk. Mind. Blown. 🤔”
Create an air of mystery.
The more curiosity your messages spark, the more engaging they’ll be. If you’re an open book, the person texting you will start predicting everything – and where’s the fun in that? Instead, reveal information bit by bit without giving away the whole picture. This way, you’ll keep them on their toes!
- “Sorry, can’t tell you what I’m doing this weekend. Top secret! 🤐😏”
- “I’d love to hang out, but I’ll be a little busy.😉”
Tips
- Being an engaging texter is one thing, but you also don’t want to come off as too eager! Give the other person time and space to respond instead of bombarding them with multiple messages at once.
- If the other person isn’t into texting, try convincing them to call you instead. If they don’t have time for anything beyond dry messages, it might be better to find someone else to chat with.
