Chatting is enjoyable, but it’s not enough on its own, as they say. Increasingly, online matches (and not just online) get stuck in seemingly endless virtual conversations without ever leading to a first date.
Even online, once you get past the initial stages of getting to know each other, the big leap is the first date. But how do you go from “words to actions” without getting stuck in the phone zone?
Being able to converse is crucial, but timing is just as important. Being prompt and contacting your match quickly increases the response rate, and similarly, responding promptly when you receive a message is considered a clear signal of interest by users.
We asked Moe Ari Brown, love and connection expert at Hinge, the dating app designed to be deleted quickly (here we explained how it works), for advice.
5 Tips to Go from Match to First Date
1. Chat
Instead of liking a photo, it’s better to respond to a prompt to start a conversation and show that you’re interested in chatting. If you take the time to look at a profile, find something that piques your curiosity, and decide to respond to one of the prompts, you show that you took the time and are interested in getting to know them better.
2. Be Consistent and Timely
Letting too much time pass between matching and starting a conversation can cool things off. Messaging your match within 24 hours on Hinge increases the likelihood of getting a response by 44%, so don’t delay.
3. Strike While the Iron Is Hot
This rule also applies when you receive a message, so don’t ignore it or postpone your reply. Two out of three Hinge users consider response times when evaluating someone’s interest. Additionally, use open-ended questions (that can’t be answered with a yes or no) to keep the conversation pleasant and flowing.
4. Show Interest and Openness
Ask questions that encourage your match to elaborate and give detailed responses. For example, instead of asking, “Do you like to travel?” ask, “What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited?”
5. Set Up the First Date
Although 62% of Hinge users feel ready to set up a date after 3 days of chatting, only a third (34%) actually do so within 3 days. Don’t get stuck in the phone zone. You’re on Hinge to meet a partner, not a pen pal. So, aim to have a conversation long enough to build a connection but short enough not to lose the momentum of the moment.
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This article first appeared on Grazia.it
