You’ve met a great guy, and you want to text him to get a romance going. But what should you say? How often should you text? How do you keep him interested¹Insert your note here.">²https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/[/efn_note] in you?

A lot of communication happens online these days. Social media, chat apps, and online dating might seem easy, but they can be confusing and even a little scary sometimes.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this post, we’ll give you tips on starting a text Conversation, keeping it going, flirting through text, and more. Follow our recommended Texting do’s and don’ts, and you’ll be on your way to a great relationship.

Texting the Perfect Opening Line

When you text a guy for the first time, you need a great opening line. You want to come off as confident but not overbearing. Keep things fun and be yourself. Here are some ideas for great first texts:

Make a callback to your last conversation

Referencing your previous chat shows you were paying attention and makes the text more personal. We all like to be noticed.

For example: “Hey! I just saw a dog in a sweater and thought of our conversation about ridiculous pet clothes. How’s your day going?”

Compliment him

We all like complimentshttps://thedaily.case.edu/5-reasons-why-you-should-give-compliments/'>³; guys are no different. Compliments give validation to who they are: “I must be doing something right.” If he feels comfortable and confident, he is more likely to open up.

Think of something specific you like about him, like “Hey! I just wanted to say you have a great sense of humor. I’m still laughing about those jokes from the other night.” This shows your interest in a flattering way.

Be creative and silly

Humor is a great way to get a guy’s attention. Try to use humor that relates to his sense of humor. Pay attention to previous chats and put a funny spin on something you chatted about together. This shows your interest and your sense of humor. It’s a double whammy!

Send him a funny meme, an odd observation (“Why are hot dog buns always sold separately?”), or a would-you-rather question. This is a great way to show your personality.

Would you rather question examples:

1. Would you rather have the ability to fly like a bird or breathe underwater like a fish?
2. If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, would you rather choose Italian or Mexican?
3. Would you rather have the power to time travel to the past or to the future?
4. If you were a superhero, would you rather have the power of invisibility or the ability to read minds?
5. Would you rather spend a day at an amusement park riding roller coasters or relaxing on a tropical beach?
6. If you could have any job in the world for a week, would you rather be an astronaut or a famous movie actor?
7. Would you rather be able to speak and understand every language in the world or be a master of every musical instrument?
8. If you could meet any historical figure, would you rather have dinner with Albert Einstein or Leonardo da Vinci?
9. Would you rather live in a treehouse in the forest or on a houseboat on a peaceful lake?
10. If you could switch lives with someone for a day, would you rather choose a celebrity or a fictional character?

Try to use some of these questions to spark fun and interesting conversations with the guy you’re texting.

Ask a thought-provoking question

A good way to get to know him and understand his interests is to ask questions. It seems obvious, right? It’s surprising how many people overlook this simple step. If you want to really get to know a guy, asking questions is the easiest and best way. It also gives you the opportunity to reveal something about yourself so they can get to know “the real you”.

For example, “If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?” This gives him something fun to respond to while getting to know his tastes.

Make plans

You don’t want to end a chat session and leave him hanging. If you give him something to look forward to, it creates a feeling of expectationhttps://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/self-esteem-grows-with-realistic-expectations/'>⁴ and he will be eagerly waiting to meet you and take things to the next level.

Try suggesting specific plans, like “There’s a cool new exhibit at the art museum. Want to check it out this weekend?” This shows initiative and gives you something to look forward to.

Keeping the Conversation Flowing

Once you’ve started a text conversation with a guy, keeping things going can be tricky. It’s easy to get flustered when you are worrying if he likes you or not. Keeping the conversation flowing will take the pressure off of both of you.

Here are some tips on how to text a guy you like:

• Balance questions with sharing about yourself. Don’t bombard him with questions. Sprinkle in some tidbits about your day so he sees you’re opening up too.
• Keep responses thoughtful, but not essays. 1-2 sentences are plenty to keep the conversation moving. Save the deep talks for in-person.
• Maintain some mystery. It’s OK not to share every detail about yourself right away. Keep him wanting to learn more.
• Weave in humor and playfulness. Emojis, gifs, banter, inside jokes—these elements keep things fun and engaging.
• Know when to step back. Don’t panic if he doesn’t text back immediately. Give him space and let him match your cadence.
• Check spelling/grammar. Avoid lazy text speech such as “How r u?”. Sounding polished and intelligent will make a good impression.

Playfully Flirting Through Text

Once you two are chatting comfortably, it’s time to kick the flirtinghttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psychology-relationships/202010/the-science-flirting-deciphering-subtle-signals'>⁵ up a notch. Test the waters, and don’t come on too strong. You should have an idea about his personality by now, so ease into it, and don’t forget to use a bit of humor in your flirting. It’s hard for him to get offended when he’s laughing his ass off!

Here are some tips for flirty texting:

• Tease him. Once you know his sense of humor, playfully poke fun at his quirks. Just keep it light, not mean.
• Compliment him. Find sincere ways to praise his appearance, skills, or personality. Just don’t go overboard with superficial compliments.
• Use emojis judiciously. A kissy face, winky face, or flirty pinched fingers can add subtle playfulness to your texts.
• Be slightly formal. Using proper punctuation and avoiding abbreviations like “u” for “you” comes off as more elegant.
• Banter. Go back and forth in a playful argument or exchange laughs about an inside joke. This builds intimacy.
• Be slightly suggestive. If the chemistry is there, some subtle suggestions can heat things up. Just don’t sext unless you know he’s into it!

Keep Him Engaged from Text to Text

One of the hardest parts of texting a new guy is gauging his level of interest and maintaining engagement so he stays captivated by you. Get used to the way he chats and try to understand his sense of humor. If you get stuck and you can make him laugh, he will be putty in your hands.

Here are some tips:

• Match his texting cadence. If he takes an hour to respond, take about an hour before you respond too. Don’t appear overly eager.
• Pull back if he seems lukewarm. If you’re initiating most texts or getting one-word responses, give him space for a couple of days. See if he re-initiates.
• Avoid excessive complaints or negativity. Venting about your horrible day or mean coworker every day gets old fast. Keep it upbeat.
• Mix up serious and silly texts. Heavy conversations via text can feel draining. Lighten things up with jokes, memes, or invitations to fun activities.
• Occasionally, let him text first. This ensures that you’re not bugging him and that he’s making an effort too. Let him chase you a bit.
• Know when to move from texting to calls or dates. Take things offline before texting gets stale. Suggest a phone call or Skype date if you click.

Ending Text Conversations

Ending a text conversation gracefully is an art unto itself. You want to leave him wanting more. You want to keep him curious and looking forward to your next chat without coming on too strong.

Here are some tips:

• End on a high note. Try wrapping up after something fun, like a joke or story that made you both laugh.
• Hint at future plans. Say something like, “This has been fun; I’m looking forward to our plans this weekend!” This builds anticipation.
• Leave questions unanswered. For example, wait until later to tell him a funny story you referenced earlier.
• Put the ball in his court. Say something open-ended, like, “Let me know when you’re free to continue this conversation!”
• Avoid overanalyzing. Don’t obsess over why he took 2 hours to respond or why he sent a one-word answer. Assume positive intent.
• Let the conversation naturally fade. It’s okay for texts to dwindle if you’ve both said your piece for the moment. There is no need for a formal goodbye.

Texting Dos and Don’ts

While there are really no rules when it comes to texting or chatting, using a little common sense and being yourself can go a long way.

Here are some final tips for maximizing your chances of winning his heart through text:

DO

• Have fun, be playful, and show your personality
• Proofread texts before sending
• Respond in a timely manner (matching his cadence)
• Only send selfies if he initiates

DON’T

• Text nonstop or double text without a response
• Send overly long or serious texts
• Be clingy or overanalyze things
• Bring up heavy emotional issues over text
• Be negative or complain too much

Conclusion: How to Text a Guy You Like

Texting a new guy is thrilling but filled with potential pitfalls. Use these tips to text him in a mature, fun, and engaging way while avoiding common texting mistakes.

If you can become an expert at having witty, playful text conversations that leave him wanting more, you’ll be well on your way to winning his heart!

The key is finding the right balance between showing interest and playing it cool. Be responsive but not obsessive. Flirt, but keep some mystery too. Show off your amazing personality while also letting him shine.

Mastering the art of texting takes finesse, patience, and a positive attitude. Not every text will land perfectly. But if you follow these guidelines, you’ll avoid major texting blunders and have a much better chance of developing a strong connection.

So try out these tips, have fun with them, and don’t overthink things too much! Great texting chemistry could be the start of something truly amazing. I wish you the best of luck winning over your new crush. You’ve got this!

FAQ: How to Text a Guy You Like

Q. Should I wait for him to text first?

It’s fine to make the first move! But once you’ve broken the ice, let him start some conversations so you know he’s genuinely interested.

Q. What do I do if he doesn’t text back?

Don’t panic. He may be busy. Pick up the conversation thread another day. If he consistently doesn’t respond, he may not be that interested, unfortunately.

Q. How often should we text?

There are no hard rules, but texting constantly can come off as needy. Start every few hours or once a day and adjust based on his responsiveness.

Q. Should I use emojis and text abbreviations?

Use emojis sparingly to add humor. Avoid overdoing it. Text abbreviations like “NMU” or no punctuation can seem immature.

Q. What are the red flags I should look out for?

Watch for one-word responses, taking a long time to text back, never initiating conversation, or ignoring your texts completely. These suggest a lack of interest.