Two Ways That You Can Use to Develop Rapport With Your Date

What are some of the basics of developing rapport with others? The best way that I've found is to ask questions and listen carefully to verbal and unspoken communications.

Here are a few details on each step.

Ask Questions:

Building rapport is similar to interviewing someone for a job or it is not unlike a reporter seeking information for an article. You need to relax and get to know the other person and have a goal of finding some common interests or grounds to be able to build upon. You can wish begin by commenting on the other person’s choice of attire if you are meeting in person, or if online maybe you can ask about their computer. You can then follow up with some related questions based on the answers to your comments.

For example, if you are meeting in person, you could compliment the other person on their color choice and or maybe a pin, ring or other piece of jewelry and ask where they got it or where it came from.

In online communications, you could compliment the other person’s font, emotions (smilie faces) or whatever they use, mention that the communication style seems relaxed and ask if he or she writes a lot. You can then follow up on the comments you receive back from them. You should always steer clear of topics that could cause arguments or friction while gently leading the person in conversation.

Listen:
Always be an active listener. Listen and don't focus your thoughts on what YOU will say next. Rather, listen to what the other person is saying and take your clues from them, while also noting the body language.

For example, if the other person folds his arms and sounds upset, you may want to change the subject or let him have some space and distance; maybe even try approaching him later on and excusing yourself to go make a phone call, or head to the buffet table or somewhere to escape. On the other hand, if the other person is leaning towards you, following your every word and communicating with your as if you were old friends, you've been successful in building rapport.