How to start a great 1-on-1 video chat: conversation tips

The hardest part of any 1-on-1 video chat is often the first ten seconds. It's just you and one other person, face to face — which is exactly what makes it worth doing, and also what can make the opening feel like a lot. A few small habits take the pressure off.

Open with something easy

You don't need a clever line. A simple hello and a genuine question — where they're tuning in from, how their evening is going — does more than any script. Because a one-on-one is private, there's no audience to perform for, so keep it relaxed and let the conversation find its own pace.

Listen more than you plan

The best 1-on-1 conversations aren't rehearsed. Pick up on something the other person says and follow it, instead of running through a list of questions. Mutual attention is the whole advantage of talking to one person at a time — use it.

It's fine to move on

Not every match will click, and that's normal. If the conversation isn't flowing, skipping is free and instant, and the next 1-on-1 video chat is a tap away. New members get free credits, so you have room to find the conversations that do click without spending a thing.