Text Your Way to His Heart

Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

April Daniels Hussar,SELF magazine

OK, so we all know about sexting-and the dangers of sending out a nudie pic of yourself. But in this digital age, texting is vital to daily communication-especially your dating life. We promise it's easy to master; you just need to master the art of "Flirtexting." Really. Digital dating experts (and self-confessed "one-time serial daters") Debra Goldstein and Olivia Baniuszewicz wrote the book on the subject, literally. The revised edition of Flirtexting: How to Text Your Way into His Heart (Skyhorse Publishing), comes out next month--but we got a few sneak-peek tips on how to give him great text.

Related: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

1. SAY YES TO THE TEXT: Guys love texting because it insulates them from first date jitters. You get to break the ice over text, before meeting face-to-face. Plus, they say it makes rejection easier to handle AND it helps guys know if you're into them or not.

2. DON'T T.U.I.: That stands for Texting Under the Influence-one of the biggest texting don'ts. If you need to, they advise appointing one of your friends as your "texting sponsor"-text her instead of said dude you're trying to land. Or check out their super-cute Texting Sponsor friendship bracelets-buy two: one for your BFF, and one for you.

Related:20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

3. ASK FOR CLARIFICATION: Don't just sit there wondering what the hell he meant ... find out! But be cool: Debra and Olivia recommend sending him this line from dude-favorite flick Tommy Boy: "Hi, I'm Earth. Have we met?" with a follow-up like "I'm going to need clarification on that last text, Tommy." Guys love movie quotes and it's a gentle way of calling him out on his text.

4. SEND A POST-DATE TEXT: Although it seems like a small gesture, the text will reaffirm your appreciation for the date and his company, they say.

Related: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

5. BUT NEVER RE-SEND A TEXT: Odds are he got it and just isn't responding. Simple. Done.

6. KEEP 'EM SHORT AND SWEET: Debra and Olivia say their book research (which involved interviewing *tons* of guys) shows this to be one of the biggest turn-ons to men, while long-winded messages make 'em yawn. Keep it short, keep it sweet, and keep it coming!

More from SELF:
6 Moves for a Great Butt
5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin
3 CrossFit Total-Body Workouts
6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism