You’ve done it—you’ve scored her phone number, and you’re about to have some one-on-one time over the phone with the girl you like. But how do you keep the conversation alive and interesting without running out of things to say? Don’t worry. We’ve put together plenty of tips, tricks, and strategies that can help take your phone call to the next level.

1

Ask open-ended questions.

  1. “Yes or no” questions won’t accomplish much in a conversation. Instead, ask unique, engaging questions that force her to think of a longer answer.[1] For instance, “Do you like soccer?” would be a yes or no question, while “What’s your favorite part about soccer?” is much more open-ended. Here are a few questions you can try asking:[2]
    • What was the highlight of your day?
    • What do you think about this music group?
    • What did you think about that rally last night?
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2

Practice active listening.

  1. Active listening lets her know that you really care about what she’s saying.[3] As she shares her story, repeat what she says in clarifying questions.[4] When you find a free moment the conversation, ask her something open-ended to keep the conversation going. You might say:[5]
    • “So Mrs. Brown marked you absent even though you arrived at class on time?”
    • “So your audition went well, but you’re worried that you won’t land the part?”
    • “How did that make you feel?”
3

Build the conversation on something she says.

  1. Pay close attention to the different stories that she offers. Can you relate to anything that she’s sharing? Try to think of something you have in common with her, and share that tidbit to keep the conversation going. You might say:[6]
    • “That’s really cool that you’re a vegetarian. I was actually thinking about giving it a try—do you have any tips?”
    • “You’re a coffee person? Me too. I stop by my local coffee shop so much that I think they have my order memorized.”
    • “Shrimp is your favorite food? That’s so neat. I really want to give shrimp a try, but I didn’t have the best experience the last time I ate seafood.”
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6

Crack a joke.

  1. Look up some funny jokes online or tell her a hilarious story. You can even sprinkle some extra silliness into your conversation by imitating other people, doing your best animal impression, or singing a little song.[10] Try to stay away from any dark jokes that may come off as insensitive. Just like a good joke can make a really good impression, an offensive joke can make a really bad one.[11] Here are a few corny jokes you can try:[12]
    • “How do you organize a space-themed party? You planet.”
    • “What does the baby laptop call his dad? Data.”
    • “Why are leopards so bad at hide and seek? Because they’re always spotted.”
7

Make small talk.

  1. Small talk isn’t as awful as people make it out to be. If you’re drawing a blank during your conversation, small talk can be a huge lifesaver.[13] If you run out of things to talk about, feel free to ask about her day, or if she has any upcoming plans. With any luck, your small talk can lead to a new, interesting conversation. Try asking:[14]
    • What was the best part of your day?
    • What are your plans for the weekend?
    • Learn anything interesting in class today?
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10

Wrap things up if your chat isn’t going anywhere.

Questions to Keep the Conversation Flowing

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What are good starter conversations?
    Lynda Jean
    Lynda Jean
    Certified Image Consultant
    Lynda Jean is an Image Consultant and the Owner of Lynda Jean Image Consulting. With over 15 years of experience, Lynda specializes in color and body/style analysis, wardrobe audits, personal shopping, social and professional etiquette, and personal and business branding. She works with clients to enhance their image, self-esteem, behavior, and communication to facilitate their social and career goals. Lynda holds Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Image Consultant (CIC) certification. She studied Image Consulting at the International Image Institute and the International Academy of Fashion and Technology in Toronto, Canada. Lynda has taught Image Consulting courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. She is the co-author of the book, “Business Success With Ease,” where she shares her knowledge about, ‘The Power of Professional Etiquette.’
    Lynda Jean
    Certified Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    For starters, don't ever talk about politics, and religion, God, especially politics. So we start with general things, you always want the other person to feel good. Good starter topics of conversation could be about cinema, it could be something on Netflix, it could be about a book you read, it could be about something that happened, like a tsunami or did you hear about someone famous passed away, lean more towards topics that may interest the girl.
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About This Article

Lynda Jean
Co-authored by:
Certified Image Consultant
This article was co-authored by Lynda Jean and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Lynda Jean is an Image Consultant and the Owner of Lynda Jean Image Consulting. With over 15 years of experience, Lynda specializes in color and body/style analysis, wardrobe audits, personal shopping, social and professional etiquette, and personal and business branding. She works with clients to enhance their image, self-esteem, behavior, and communication to facilitate their social and career goals. Lynda holds Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Image Consultant (CIC) certification. She studied Image Consulting at the International Image Institute and the International Academy of Fashion and Technology in Toronto, Canada. Lynda has taught Image Consulting courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. She is the co-author of the book, “Business Success With Ease,” where she shares her knowledge about, ‘The Power of Professional Etiquette.’ This article has been viewed 13,454 times.
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Co-authors: 7
Updated: March 13, 2023
Views: 13,454
Categories: Phone Skills
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