Strategies for Speed Dating Like a Pro

If you’ve never tried speed dating before but are considering it, you’re probably wondering what you can do to get the best results. Today, in honor of the speed of speed dating, I want to skip the flashy intro and jump right into the tips to help you speed date like a pro. 

1. Come prepared…in more ways than one. 

One of the best things you can do to improve your results at speed dating is to show up prepared. Here are several tips of what I mean: 

• Get adequate rest. If you show up looking tired or you aren’t mentally all there, it won’t go great. 
• Dress nicely. Put some effort into your outfit. Dress like you’re going on a nice date, even if the speed dating is at a dive bar. It’s better to be overdressed than under. 
• Understand the “rules”. Speed dating is fairly simple and straightforward, but take the time to review how the particular event you’re going to runs things. It may be slightly different.  
• Have good breath. This is simple, but it gets overlooked a lot! Brush your teeth and bring breath mints. 

2. Be on time. 

Probably the single worst thing you can do to torpedo your success at speed dating is to show up late. Yes, they will plug you into the rotation, but every single person in the room will watch you walk in late and start to make assumptions about you. 

If you have to end up being there super early, that’s okay.

You might even end up getting to chat with someone who is there for the event before it gets started, which could help you to ease the nerves. 

3. Come with a few conversation starters. 

You don’t have to have the full conversation planned out for each person before you even get there. In fact, that would be terrible because when you focus on what you’re going to say next, you aren’t actually listening. 

However, that said, I would recommend having a few conversation starters and unique questions ready that you can ask to get the conversation going. 

Try your best to avoid the overplayed questions like what do you do for a living, or what do you like to do for fun. Look for things that are a little more unique that match your personality. 

An example might be, “Hey I’m Jason. It’s great to meet you. I always love starting off with a fun unique question. What is something you’re really passionate about right now?” 

4. Learn the “right now” trick for questions. 

Have you ever had someone ask you a question about something you like or something that is your favorite and it took you forever to answer because you didn’t want to give the wrong answer? 

This can happen with speed dating and there is a fairly simple way to relieve that pressure and allow your date the opportunity to answer quicker. 

Here’s how it goes. Instead of asking them something like ‘what is your favorite movie?’, ask them, ‘what is your favorite movie…right now?’  

What this does is removes the pressure of them having to think of their favorite movie of all time. They will feel more comfortable giving you an answer of what their favorite movie currently is, knowing that they aren’t locked into a bigger answer than it really is. 

It sounds silly, but it really goes a long way. 

5. Enjoy yourself. 

This isn’t just cheesy cliche to close out this article on tips to speed date like a pro. It’s actually something that will help you to have better results. 

When you are enjoying yourself and having fun, you will come off as more interesting, more exciting to be around, and more attractive. Yes, it is totally okay to be a little nervous because everyone else probably is as well.  

But if you can find a way to allow yourself to really enjoy the process and just look at it as an opportunity to meet some neat people with no expectations, it can really help to improve your results.