It’s no secret that texting has become a huge part of our lives. Many people would say that it’s now the primary way we communicate with each other nowadays. And while texting can be a lot of fun, it can also be awkward and difficult to know what to say, and in which situations.
But with a few simple tips, you can become a pro at texting and have more fluid conversations with the people you care about. Here are several tips to get you started!
Use proper grammar and punctuation
Even though it’s a simple text message, it doesn’t mean you should abandon all grammar and punctuation rules. Using proper grammar will make you look more intelligent and put together. It will show that you respect the person you’re communicating with enough to take the time to write out a coherent message.
Additionally, using proper grammar will also help you avoid any misunderstandings, as the person you’re texting will be able to understand your message more easily. However, make sure you’re familiar with text abbreviations, and that you’re understanding them correctly, as they can also lead to miscommunications. They are also part of the texting culture, so it’s important to get to know them.
Be concise
Texting is not the time to write a novel. No one wants to read a long, rambling message when they could be doing something else. Instead, focus on being concise and to the point. This doesn’t mean you have to give one-word answers, but try to get your point across in as few words as possible.
For instance, if someone asks how your day is going, you could say “It’s going good. I had a lot of fun at the park with my friends.” This short answer tells the person what they need to know, without going into too much detail.
Another benefit of being concise is that it can also help prevent miscommunications, as there will be less room for interpretation.
Be thoughtful with your responses
Before you hit send on a text message, take a minute to think about your response. Does it make sense in the context of the conversation? Is it something you would say out loud? If not, then it’s probably not worth sending.
It can be easy to get carried away when texting and to say things we wouldn’t normally say in person. But it’s important to remember that the person on the other end is a real human being, not a robot or the void. So treat them with respect and thoughtfulness, and take the time to craft your responses accordingly.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
One of the best ways to keep a conversation going is to ask questions. This shows that you’re interested in what the other person has to say and want to know more about them. It also allows you to share your thoughts and experiences on the topic.
For example, if someone is telling you about their weekend plans, you could ask them what they’re most looking forward to. Or if they’re talking about a new project they’re working on, you could ask them how it’s going.
Asking questions also shows that you care about the conversation and are invested in it. However, it’s important to make sure you’re not bombarding the other person with questions, as this can be overwhelming. Instead, try to ask one or two questions per message, and give the person time to answer before sending another.
End with a question
One of the best ways to keep a conversation going is to end your message with a question. This gives the other person an opportunity to respond and keeps the conversation flowing. It also shows that you’re interested in hearing from them and wants to continue the conversation. Asking a question at the end of your message also makes it more likely that the other person will respond, as they’ll have something to say in return.
However, sometimes it can take a while for the other person to respond, and that’s OK. Don’t get impatient and start bombarding them with messages if they don’t answer right away.
Using Emojis
Emojis are a great way to add personality to your texts and to express yourself without using words. They can also help start or keep a conversation going. For instance, if you’re not sure how to respond to a message, you could send an emoji instead.
However, it’s important not to overuse emojis, as this can come across as childish or unprofessional. Use them sparingly and only when it makes sense to do so. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to use an emoji in a business text.
One of the most important things to remember when texting is to be yourself. This doesn’t mean you have to share everything about your life with the person you’re texting, but it does mean that you should text in a way that is true to who you are. The goal is to have a genuine conversation with the other person, so just be yourself and let the conversation flow naturally.
And by following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a pro at texting!
