If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen and wondered what to say to a match, you can attest that writing the perfect online dating message is harder than it sounds. If messaging matches and setting up dates isn’t your forte, don’t worry. All you need is a perfect icebreaker to get things started.
Having a few go-to opening messages in your back pocket is a real plus – especially when you know they work! So here are five tried and tested online dating icebreakers that’ll help you make a great first impression.
Our Guide to Online Dating Icebreakers
1. Open with a joke
The first few messages with someone new can feel a little awkward. One of the easiest online dating icebreakers is telling a joke. It’s a low-risk and memorable way to get the conversation going. Not only that, but studies show that funny singles are even more attractive.
The person who leads with a joke is definitely more memorable than the person who leads with “Hey, how’s it going?”. Our advice? Test a few different ones until you find what you’re comfortable with. See what people respond to. We’re not saying use the same joke every single time, but nobody will know if you repeat once or twice.
2. Ask an engaging question
People are busy. Messages like “Hi” and “How are you?” might mean well but they’re too generic. Instead of dancing around the topic, ask an engaging question:”“Which actor would play you in the movie about your life?” “If you could be a guest on any podcast, which would it be and why?”
Asking this kind of question makes the conversation flow naturally. Posing a question that makes them think or that they can relate to is much better than making a statement.This list of nearly 100 questions is a great place to start.
3. Play a game
Yes, the point of online dating is to meet someone and fall in love. But even though you’re on a mission, it’s important to have some fun along the way. One of the easiest online dating ice breakers is to play a game, like Two Truths and a Lie or 20 Questions.
It’s okay to keep things lighthearted, even if you’re both looking for long-lasting love. Try to avoid jumping into the “What are you looking for?” and “How many kids do you want to have?” talk within the first five minutes of chatting with someone new.
4. Explain why you messaged them
Why did you swipe right on this person? What about their profile compelled you to reach out? Which one of their profile pictures made you smile? People get a lot of messages, but few cut directly to the point — which is what most people are looking for.
You can stand out in a cluttered inbox by getting specific about why you’re interested in them, what caught your eye, and what you have in common. The entire reason they created their online dating profile was for it to get noticed, so hearing that you liked it will mean a lot.
5. Make food your starter
Everybody loves food. And everybody loves sharing their opinions on it too. It might seem like one of the stranger online dating icebreakers on this list but trust us,it works.
Ask about their favorite food, their prefered guilty pleasure snack, or what cuisine they’d most like to try. It’s one of our go-to online dating icebreakers because everybody has one. If the conversation goes well, you’ll have an easy transition into asking them on a dinner date.
Online dating may be useful, but it isn’t always easy! It can take practice to become confident online, but that’s ok. It’s natural. One thing for sure is that using these 5 online dating icebreakers will help you make a good first impression – and get that conversation going
