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First Message Templates: First Messages That Actually Work

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    You finally get a match. You stare at the chat box. Your brain freezes and you type the same thing you always type:

    “Hey.” They either never reply, or the conversation dies in two messages. It feels like you are doing something wrong, but you are not sure what.

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    The truth is simple: your first message does not need to be perfect or super clever. It just needs to be specific, easy to answer, and show a bit more effort than everyone else. In this guide, you will get ready‑to‑use templates you can literally copy, adapt, and send.


    Part 1: What Makes A First Message “Work”?

    Before the templates, you need to understand why some messages get replies and others do not.

    A first message that actually works usually has three things:

    1. It is personal
    2. It is easy to reply to
    3. It has a light, positive tone

    1. Personal (Not Copy‑Paste Vibes)

    You do not need to write a unique poem for every match, but you also cannot send the exact same “Hey, how are you?” 50 times and expect magic.

    Good first messages:

    • Mention something from their profile
    • React to a photo, hobby, or prompt
    • Make the person feel like you chose them, not just “anyone”

    2. Easy To Reply To

    People are busy, distracted, or talking to multiple matches.

    Your message should:

    • Ask a simple, specific question
    • Avoid questions that feel like homework
    • Make it obvious what they can answer with

    A good test: can they reply in under 10 seconds without thinking too hard?

    3. Light, Positive Tone

    You are strangers. Heavy or intense energy in the first message pushes people away.

    Avoid:

    • Complaining
    • Negative comments
    • Overly serious or deep questions

    Aim for:

    • Curious
    • Playful
    • Respectful

    Part 2: Templates You Can Use On Almost Any Profile

    These are “universal” templates you can adapt quickly for most people.

    Template 1: The Profile Detail Hook

    Use when their profile mentions an activity, hobby, or place.

    “I saw you are into [hobby/interest]. How did you get into that?”

    Examples:

    “I saw you are into rock climbing. How did you get into that?”
    “I saw you are into baking. What do you make best?”

    Why it works:

    • It is about them
    • It is easy to answer
    • It opens the door for a longer conversation

    Template 2: The Photo Reaction

    Use when they have a clear photo with something interesting.

    “That photo of you at [place/activity] looks awesome. What is the story behind it?”

    Examples:

    “That photo of you on the mountain looks awesome. What is the story behind it?”
    “That photo with the dog is great. Is that your dog or a borrowed model?”

    Why it works:

    • People like talking about their experiences
    • You show you actually looked at their profile

    Template 3: The Either/Or Question

    Use when you want something fun and low pressure.

    “Important question: [option A] or [option B]?”

    Examples:

    “Important question: pizza or tacos?”
    “Important question: beach vacation or city trip?”
    “Important question: mornings or nights?”

    Why it works:

    • Zero effort to answer
    • Playful tone
    • Anyone can jump in

    Template 4: The Shared Interest

    Use when you genuinely share something in common.

    “I noticed we both like [shared interest]. What is your favorite thing about it?”

    Examples:

    “I noticed we both like live music. What is the best concert you have been to?”
    “I noticed we both like hiking. Do you have a favorite trail?”

    Why it works:

    • Builds instant connection
    • Creates natural back‑and‑forth

    Template 5: The Compliment With A Question

    Use when you want to compliment without sounding generic.

    “You have great taste in [music/books/films/style]. Any recommendations for me?”

    Examples:

    “You have great taste in music. Any artists you think more people should know?”
    “You have great taste in travel spots. Any place you think everyone should visit once?”

    Why it works:

    • Feels flattering but not intense
    • Invites them to share something they like

    Part 3: Templates Adapted To Different App Styles

    Some apps (like Bumble, Hinge, etc.) make it easy to comment directly on a prompt, photo, or specific part of the profile.

    When They Have A Funny Prompt

    “Your answer about [prompt topic] made me laugh. Is that a true story or did you make it up?”

    Example:

    “Your answer about accidentally burning pasta twice made me laugh. Is that a true story or did you make it up?”


    When They Mention Food Or Drinks

    “You mentioned you love [food/drink]. Where is your favorite place for that in the city?”

    Example:

    “You mentioned you love ramen. Where is your favorite spot in the city?”


    When They Mention Work Or Passion

    “You said you are a [job/field]. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about it?”

    Example:

    “You said you are a nurse. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about it?”

    This works well because most people have a lot to say about their job or passion.


    Part 4: First Messages For Different Vibes

    Sometimes you want a message that matches the tone you want: playful, flirty, or more serious.

    A. Playful / Light

    “You look like the kind of person who has strong opinions about [random topic]. Am I right?”

    Examples:

    “You look like the kind of person who has strong opinions about pineapple on pizza. Am I right?”
    “You look like the kind of person who refuses to skip the intro on Netflix. True or false?”


    B. Slightly Flirty But Respectful

    “Your smile in that second photo is very hard to ignore. What made you that happy that day?”

    This works best when their photos give off positive, open energy. It is a compliment plus a hook.


    C. More Calm / Serious

    “You seem pretty thoughtful from your profile. What is something you are really into right now?”

    Good for people whose profiles feel more introverted or reflective.


    Part 5: What Not To Send (And Why)

    Some first messages almost always fail. Avoid these if you want better results.

    1. “Hey” / “Hi” / “What’s up?”

    Why it fails:

    • Zero effort
    • No direction
    • They already see this 20 times a day

    You are not “bad at texting”; you are just using the most crowded, boring opening line in the world.


    2. Overly Sexual Openers

    Anything clearly sexual, suggestive, or creepy in the first message.

    Why it fails:

    • Disrespectful to most people
    • Signals you are not looking for anything serious
    • High chance of unmatch or report

    If there is going to be flirting, it should build naturally, not hit in the first line.


    3. Overly Long Paragraphs

    Sending three long paragraphs before you have even said hello.

    Why it fails:

    • Overwhelming
    • Feels too intense
    • Creates pressure to answer with the same effort

    Your goal is to start a conversation, not to deliver a monologue.


    4. Job Interview Questions

    Rapid‑fire questions like:

    • “What do you do?”
    • “Where are you from?”
    • “What are your hobbies?”

    back‑to‑back with no personal sharing.

    Why it fails:

    • Feels like interrogation
    • No emotional connection
    • Boring and repetitive

    Balance questions with small pieces of information about yourself.


    Part 6: How To Turn A Good First Message Into A Real Conversation

    Getting a reply is only step one. The next step is keeping the energy going without being robotic.

    Step 1: Acknowledge And Build

    If they answer your question, do not just ask a new, unrelated one.

    Example:

    You:

    “I saw you are into hiking. Do you have a favorite trail?”

    Them:

    “Yes, I love [Trail Name], I go there a lot in the summer.”

    Good follow‑up:

    “Nice, I have heard about that one. What do you like most about it? I usually go to [Your Spot], mostly because it is close and has a great view.”

    You:

    • React to their answer
    • Share something about yourself
    • Keep the topic going

    Step 2: Add Light Playfulness Or Curiosity

    Once there is a bit of back‑and‑forth, you can be a little more playful.

    Examples:

    “Be honest, are you one of those people who walks super fast and leaves everyone behind on the trail?”
    “On a scale from 1 to 10, how competitive are you about board games?”

    Small, fun questions keep the conversation from feeling like a resume interview.


    Step 3: Know When To Move Off The App

    After some good exchanges, do not stay in chat forever. If the energy feels good, you can advance things.

    Simple ways to transition:

    “This has been fun to talk about. Would you like to grab a coffee sometime and continue this conversation in person?”

    or, if your app culture uses it:

    “We seem to get along pretty well. Want to move this to WhatsApp / Instagram?”

    You do not have to rush, but you also should not text for weeks with no direction.


    Part 7: A Mini Toolkit You Can Save And Reuse

    Here is a compact set of templates you can literally save and adapt quickly.

    1. Profile detail:
      • “I saw you are into [X]. How did you get into that?”
    2. Photo reaction:
      • “That photo at [place] looks great. What is the story behind it?”
    3. Shared interest:
      • “I noticed we both like [X]. What is your favorite part about it?”
    4. Compliment + recommendation:
      • “You have great taste in [music/food/travel]. Any recommendations?”
    5. Fun either/or:
      • “Important question: [A] or [B]?”
    6. Prompt reaction:
      • “Your answer about [prompt topic] made me laugh. Is that something you really did?”
    7. Thoughtful:
      • “You seem pretty [vibe: thoughtful/creative/funny] from your profile. What is something you are really into right now?”

    If you freeze, pick one of these, fill in the blanks with something from their profile, and send.


    Final Thoughts: You Do Not Need Perfect Lines, Just Better Ones

    Most people on dating apps are not getting replies because they send the same one‑word openers as everyone else.

    You do not need to be a genius writer or a stand‑up comedian. You just need to:

    • Show you paid attention to their profile
    • Ask something easy and specific
    • Keep the tone light and respectful

    Use the templates in this article as a starting point, adjust them to your style, and send them without overthinking every word.

    The best first message is not the most clever one. It is the one you actually send.

    Sobre o Autor

    Lúcio Pereira

    Lúcio Pereira

    Lúcio Pereira, apaixonado por palavras e narrativas, é um redator de blog com mais de 5 anos de experiência. Especializado em tópicos de tecnologia, esportes e entretenimento, sempre buscando engajar e informar seus leitores de maneira original e criativa.