6 Ways to have better phone conversations

It’s funny when you consider that despite the abundance of technology connecting us to one another from every corner of the globe, the number of text messages and emails sent every day, far outnumber the phone calls put in to our nearest and dearest.

At Flame Introductions, we always advise our clients to meet in person for that first chat; senses of humour are much harder to fathom over a phone call and the margin for error in understanding, much greater when you’re not face-to-face.

That said, many of our clients feel more comfortable having a quick chat before agreeing to meet, and many others expect a phone call following a date.

So for those of us used to communicating in 140 characters or less, we've put together a few pointers for ensuring your come across at your best when it – literally – comes down to the wire.

1. Be prepared. If you thought your days of writing scripts for phone calls with the object of your desire were long behind you, think again! If you're prone to getting tongue-tied or forgetting the important things you want to say, there's nothing wrong with making a few notes. Avoid sounding like a robot by jotting down a few bullet points, rather than a word for word rendition of your dialogue!

2. Open with something light-hearted. If you're calling to ask someone out on a date, you don't have to go for the jugular as soon as they pick up. Keep things light, asking after their day, or telling them something funny about yours before you go into why you're calling.

3. Remember that it's a dialogue. If you're starting to get a dry mouth, the person on the other end is probably getting a very hot ear! Engage your caller in your story, and get to the point as soon as you can!

4. Keep it succinct. In the early stages of romance the obsession to know everything there is to know about our potential partners can result in pricey phone bills! Remember that great relationships are marathons, not sprints; there will be time to discover more about your date in person. If you're not keen on relaying or hearing long stories on the phone, tell your date you'd love to share or hear more the next time you meet up.

5. Be honest. If you're simply put just not that great on the phone, tell your date. They might well feel the same way, or if they're regular diallers, they'll be reassured that your quietness or awkwardness is down to phone phobia, rather than a lack of interest.

6. If all else fails, don't beat yourself up. You've tried your best to hold down a sparkling phone conversation and it turns out you're definitely more of a face-to-face kind of person. Know that you're in good company, and that our collective phone phobia has given rise to some fantastic e-cards that have given us a giggle in the Flame Introductions office…

Author: Rebecca
Rebecca is a diehard romantic and journalist with a passion for all things London. Writing the London sugar dating site blog for Flame Introductions gives her the opportunity to drag her husband all over town, sampling cocktails, coffee and culture.