The Best Way To Start Conversations On Hinge - 5 Approaches That Get Responses From Women.

The best way to start conversations on Hinge is by commenting on a woman's answer to her Hinge questions, complimenting something in her bio, and showing a little cockiness. If a woman doesn't answer any questions, focus on her photos, or ask a fun personality question.

This post focuses on how to start conversations with women on Hinge. For an overview of the Hinge app itself, visit my blog post How To Use The Hinge Dating App To Meet Women.  I cover how to set up your profile on Hinge as well as features of the app.

The goal of your first message is to start a conversation. That's it. Nothing more. Don't be cute, show a lack of effort ("hi," "hey," "how are you"), or use corny lines.  

The ideal approach for starting a conversation with a woman on Hinge is asking open-ended questions. Her bio, the personality questions, should be your primary focus for breaking the ice. However, there are other effective approaches. Here are 5 conversation starters that I use on Hinge.

Check your bio before messaging women.

Before you send messages, make sure you put some effort into your bio. Don't use bad photos or answer the questions on Hinge with one or two words.

The effort you put into your bio shows women how serious you are about meeting someone. Hinge says, 57% of women said they didn't respond to men's messages because they "took a closer look at the person's profile..."

For photo tips, visit my blog post How To Take Good Dating Profile Photos For Men.  I recommend avoiding answering your Hinge bio questions with one-word responses like this:

Don't use cliches on your Hinge bio either.

You want a bio with great photos and answer questions with humor and confidence. Putting effort into your answers to the personality questions sets you apart from the majority of men who share nothing about themselves.

Don't underestimate the importance of your bio. A well-crafted bio ensures women like you first (which is a good thing), send messages to you first (even better), or respond to your opening message.

1. Ask women questions about their bio.

The only time I recommend commenting on photos is when a woman doesn't answer any of the questions or has a one or two-word response to her questions on Hinge. It's difficult, but not impossible, to start conversations this way (more on that later).

The best way to start conversations on Hinge is by focusing on a woman's answers. Use a friendly, positive approach in your message, and you'll be fine.  

A good opening message tip is when asking a woman a question, provide the answer to your question as well. For example, if you see a woman loves to travel, ask her what her future travel plans are and include yours. I find doing this boosts responses because you show women you have something in common, and also give insight into yourself.

Here's an example of what I mean. The woman below shares she enjoys "sipping a drink." I focus on her mention of alcohol in my opening message.

I ask the woman below what type of drinks she enjoys, and I share a few of my favorites; red wine and whiskey. I find great success starting conversations on all dating sites by asking women what their favorite drink is, and it works perfectly.

In this example, the woman shares she is "open to eating exotic foods." I enjoy all sorts of foods myself, so this is easy in for me. I focus on this as a way to start a conversation.

I ask the woman for her definition of "exotic foods" while sharing some of my favorites. Remember, whenever you ask a woman a question, share your answer to the question as well.  

The woman doesn't respond with a one or two-word message; she gives me all sorts of foods she enjoys. And thus, my opening message does its job; starts a conversation.

In this next example, the woman shares she puts ketchup on her eggs. Even if you find this gross, don't insult the person. Have fun with it, and use a friendly approach in your message.

I tell the woman there's nothing wrong with ketchup on her eggs (which I don't do) and share what I put on mine; Frank's Sauce. I follow it by asking how much ketchup she puts on her eggs.

It's not a deep message nor enlightening. It's Hinge after all, and the nature of her answer to the "Don't Hate Me If I" question gives me a great in to start a conversation.  

2. Compliment women on their answers - not looks.

Anything a woman shares in her bio is fair game for starting a conversation... except her looks. Never compliment women on their looks, ever!

Women, especially gorgeous ones, receive a ton of messages from men who tell them how pretty they are. Even if you're sincere, the moment you compliment a woman's looks, she lumps you in with the rest of the masses. You won't stand out this way.

A better option is complimenting one of a woman's answers on her bio. In this first example, the woman shares, "life is a fun adventure." I zero in on this comment to start the conversation.

I tell the woman how I "love" her attitude. It's a simple compliment, followed by a question asking her if she's been on any recent adventures. The result? The woman responds.  

In this next example, I decide to ask this woman about her comment where she shares she loves to "work out." As with all dating sites, I look for things I have in common with the woman and bring that up to start conversations. Working out and an active lifestyle are a couple of my favorites.

I compliment the woman that she's active; I'm not complimenting her looks (even though she is gorgeous). I follow my compliment asking how she stays active, and I share a couple of things I do to keep fit.  

Note how I tack on a funny statement about maintaining my "sex appeal." Clearly, I'm not serious, and the smiley face is an excellent way to emphasize I'm playing. And guess what? The woman responds to my message. Conversation started!

3. Show a little cockiness - Confidence works wonders!

I can't tell you how many women similarly answer questions to the one below. It seems as if 90% of online daters enjoy happy hours and Netflix. Even though a lot of women share this on their bio, it's an easy way to start a conversation.

I ask the woman what her favorite drinks are while sharing mine, but this time I add a cocky statement describing myself as a "devastatingly handsome man." It works. The woman responds.  

One thing I can tell you is asking a woman her favorite drink is a perfect opening message because most respond. Remember, share your answer to the question you ask in your icebreaker.

In this example, I use the woman's answer to her "travel tips" question and inject confidence and humor in my message, and she responds. I say I'm a "super cool, educated guy with sex appeal." Cocky for sure, but it works.

4. Sometimes photos are your only option for starting a conversation.

There are times women answer their Hinge questions with one or two words making it difficult to start a conversation. In these circumstances, the best way to start conversations on Hinge is by commenting on their photos, particularly if they have a dog.

In this first example, the woman liked my profile first, and after reading her bio, she didn't share much, but I noticed her photo with dogs. I'm a dog owner myself, so it's an easy way to start a conversation. I ask what her dog's names are and share that I have a dog.

The message works! The woman responds and tells me that only one of the dogs is hers. She also asks me if I'm a local (which I am) probably because a lot of men travel to San Diego and use Hinge for hookups or romance while here for work or vacation.

In this example, the woman again had nothing on her bio. However, I noticed her dog in one of her photos. I comment on her dog photobombing her picture. I then ask what kind of dog she has as well as sharing a little about my dog.

Again, the message works. The woman shares her dog's breed, and my goal of starting a conversation worked.  

What if there's no dog in a photo. Easy! Anything is fair game for starting a conversation. If you see a cocktail ask what she's drinking. If you see her on a trail hiking, ask where she hiked. Whatever photo you comment on, be positive and friendly, and you'll be fine.

In this last example, the woman has a photo of herself in an overhead bin on a plane. This photo is like a layup in basketball. I'm sure she's received tons of messages based on this, but I choose it for my first message anyway.

I mention how the picture makes it look like she's in a tanning bed, and she responds. I didn't overthink it, or use a lazy opening like "Hi" or "How are you?" I focused on a photo to get a response, and it worked.

Another great approach is complimenting one of the woman's photos. Be sure to ask a question about the picture, such as where it is at.

For example, I compliment the woman's photo below, telling her that it's "fantastic." Note how I ask a question about the location of the picture to keep her engaged.

5. Ask a fun "personality" question.

Another of the best way to start conversations on Hinge by is asking a woman a personality question. I like to keep these simple and fun. You can easily come up with a few of your own quickly.

For example, you may ask a woman if she prefers Friends or Seinfeld. Maybe, "does pineapple belong on pizza? Yes or no?" Below is an example where I ask the woman if she prefers Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Prime.

In the message below, I ask Alexa about her choice of drinks. Note how I share my answer to my question. A message like this can get you results.

Final Thoughts

Forget the canned opening lines! The best way to start conversations on Hinge is asking questions which focus on a woman's answer to her questions. If a woman doesn't answer any questions, focus on her photos instead.

It's not rocket science. Don't overthink it - just write your message! To recap, follow these tips and you'll be fine:

• Focus on a woman's answer to one of her questions.
• Make sure you put effort into your Hinge bio (don't underestimate its importance)
• Ask questions!
• When you ask a question in your message, share your answer as well.
• Your messages should always be positive and friendly.
• Confidence goes a long way.
• Take chances in your message (step outside your comfort zone).
• Pets or drinks are always an excellent way to start conversations.