Knowing what to talk about with your crush can easily be the hardest part of starting something new. Here are a few ideas to make them into you.

It’s hard to figure out what to talk about with your crush when you don’t really know them. You can talk about the weather or current events, but that won’t make them see you as someone they could date.

You need some better material. You need something that’ll tell them you’re interested and also show them you could be a great match. But that’s pretty difficult when you’re nervous about talking to them in the first place.

First impression and first conversations are a big deal

They just are. As much as we wish everyone would give us multiple chances to prove ourselves, that’s just not reality. People are very much set in their ways once they make up their minds.

That means you really only have a short period of time to impress someone and get them excited about you. The best way to do this is through some good conversation. But it also has to be the RIGHT kind of conversation, because asking about their previous lovers and other naughty questions doesn’t cut it. [Read: 12 easy ways to avoid a first impression catastrophe]

What to talk about with your crush so they’ll want to be with you

You’re ready to talk to them and you know they’re at least interested enough to talk back, but you may be clueless as to where to start. Well, we’ve got you covered with this one. Here are some topics to keep in mind for when you want to talk to your crush.

#1 The time you first met. This is cute and it’ll also be meaningful. Everyone wants to know what others things of them right away. It’s because we’re so curious and want to know what kind of first impression we give off.

So you can casually bring it up by saying they’re not what you thought. This can go bad if you end up in offensive territory, however, so just be careful.

#2 Their biggest interests. People love to talk about themselves and what they love doing. Plus, it’s also great information for you to know and it’ll also show them you’re interested in what they like to do. You can even draw connections to your own hobbies this way. [Read: 14 signs he’s genuinely interested in being with you]

#3 What you like to do for fun. You can’t just make this entire conversation like an interview. You want to throw some tidbits of information about yourself into the mix, too. This is also important for showing them you’re into them. Because why else would you be talking about stuff you find fun?

#4 Something embarrassing that happened to you recently. We’ve all been through embarrassing things. If you want to make your date laugh, you should absolutely tell them a funny, embarrassing story of yourself.

This also helps them feel at ease and more comfortable around you. And the more comfortable they feel, the more likely they’ll talk to you about deeper stuff. This helps you bond and get to know each other better.

#5 Stuff that reminds you of them. You can talk about a show or a movie you recently saw that reminds you a lot of them. The point is to make them see that you think about them often. They’ll not only feel touched, but if they like you back it’ll be a great bonding moment for the two of you. [Read: 15 guaranteed ways to get your crush to like you]

#6 Something you know they like. If you’ve been chatting for a while, then you know a thing or two about stuff they find funny or that they like. So if you see an article about a certain food you think is weird that you know they like, show them.

Talking about stuff like this is perfect because they’ll actually want to talk about it. They’ll be engaged and willing to discuss it versus you trying to talk about things they have no interest in.

#7 Memes you think are funny. You want to share things you think are humorous because ultimately, you need to be with someone who has the same sense of humor as you. This is the perfect way to test just that. Send them funny stuff and see how they respond.

#8 What they do for fun. It’s not just about you. You’ll want to know if you two are in common in the fun department, too. So just ask. More likely than not, people will tell you what they love to do just because people like to discuss things they enjoy. It’s a great topic that can lead to a much bigger discussion. [Read: 15 things you have to do when you realize your crush likes you back]

#9 Some funny fears they have. Everyone is afraid of something. This is a great way to break the ice and get to know them a bit better. You can even tease them a little bit or laugh about the fact that you both hate balloons!

#10 Legitimate fears they have. Take it a step further and a step deeper and discuss some real, deep fears. After talking about little fears, this is a perfect way to get into a more meaningful conversation.

You can easily talk about the stuff that scares you most in life – like death or unfulfilled potential. They’re serious topics but you’ll be able to tell how they feel about you this way.

#11 Plans for the future. We’ve all got certain plans and things we want to do in the future. One way to see if the two of you will be headed in the same direction is to just ask about it. Keep in mind that this doesn’t really mean kids or family.

Talking about that stuff too soon can be a bad thing for your budding relationship. But you can mention your plans for your career and any goals you’re working to achieve. [Read: 12 life questions to help you visualize your future]

#12 What they’d rather be doing with their life. Not everyone is in their happy place. Certain people would rather have a different job or a better relationship with their families. If you find out what theirs is, you’ll learn a lot about them.

It’s also a topic that forces a lot of bonding. It’s sensitive information and if they’re willing to share it with you, that’s super important. They’re showing they trust you and even care about you a little in return.

There’s a certain way you want to go about talking to your crush to let them know you’re interested and to get them to like you back. Using these things, you’ll know exactly what to talk about with your crush when you see them.