Chatting is pleasurable, but it is insufficient on its own, as they say. Online matches (and not only online) are increasingly becoming engaged in seemingly interminable virtual exchanges that never lead to a first date.
Even online, once you've passed the initial steps of getting to know each other, the big step is the first date.
But how do you get from "words to actions" without becoming stuck in the phone zone?
Being able to talk is essential, but timing is equally critical. Being prompt and contacting your match soon enhances the response rate, and reacting swiftly when you receive a message is viewed as a clear show of interest by other users.
Rather than admiring a photo, respond to a prompt to initiate a discussion and demonstrate your interest in speaking. If you glance at a profile, find anything that piques your interest, and decide to react to one of the prompts, you demonstrate that you spent the time and want to get to know them better.
Allowing too much time between matching and initiating a chat can cool things down. Messaging your match on Hinge within 24 hours enhances your chances of receiving a response by 44%, so don't procrastinate.
This rule also applies when you get a communication; do not disregard it or postpone your response. When assessing someone's interest, two-thirds of Hinge users take response timings into account. Additionally, utilize open-ended questions (that cannot be replied with a yes or no) to keep the conversation enjoyable and flowing.
Ask questions that will prompt your match to elaborate and provide thoughtful responses. Instead of asking, "Do you like to travel?" respond: "What's the most interesting place you've visited?"
Although 62% of Hinge users are eager to set up a date after three days of conversing, only 34% do so within three days. Do not get stranded in the phone zone. You're on Hinge to find a spouse, not just a pen friend. So, aim for a conversation that is lengthy enough to establish a connection but short enough not to derail the momentum of the moment.