Good Conversation Starters for Texting
A good starter is easy to answer and obviously for that person. Generic “deep questions” feel like a form.
Shapes that work
- Callback: “Did you ever finish that series?”
- Bounded question: “Coffee this week or next?”
- Observation: “That photo looks freezing — where was it?”
- Offer: “I’m by the station at 6 if you want a ride.”
Swap in your actual details. If the line still works for a stranger, it is too generic.
Skip these as a first line
Personality quizzes, “guess what,” and fake emergencies. They force a performance. Also skip anything you would not say if they screenshotted it.
Drafting help
Hello can propose an opener from a category such as a question opener or an interest opener. Treat samples as samples. Feature page: AI conversation starter.
Questions this article answers
Are pickup-line lists useful?
As jokes, maybe. As a first message to a real person, they usually flop.
What about group chats?
Address one person or one topic. Broadcast openers die.
Is a meme an opener?
If you already share that humor. Don’t lead with a random meme to someone new.
Can Mojikey send the opener?
No. You send it from the chat app.