Three Weird Ways to Get Someone to Like You

There are many ways to appeal to people, but as the title suggests, we’re going to look at three slightly unusual ways to make yourself more likable. Here you go!

Mirror them!

When you mirror someone’s posture, movements, and speech, it’s almost as if you’re saying, “I am like you. I feel the same.” Done naturally, this can build a small psychological bridge between you and the other person, making them more likely to feel comfortable with you and more open to what you’re saying.

This can include vocabulary, intonation, accent, speaking speed, and even body movements. The key is to keep it subtle. If you copy someone too obviously, it can feel strange or even mocking. You can learn more about the mirroring technique here.

Become the bearer of good news

A number of psychological studies point to the importance of the primacy effect. This refers to the way people often interpret you through the filter of their first impression. If you were unlucky enough to make a bad first impression, some of what you do afterward may be seen through that same filter.

That doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In fact, some research suggests that if someone dislikes you at first and then gradually comes around to liking you, they may end up liking you more than if they had liked you from the start. Still, you probably don’t want to rely on that, so it makes sense to do what you can to make a good impression from day one.

A smile and a positive attitude are good places to start, but you can also be a little more strategic. If possible, let people associate you with good news, useful information, or a solution they were hoping for. People don’t just remember what you said; they often remember how they felt when you showed up.

Get them to do a favor for you

We tend to think that if we do a lot of favors for others, they will see us as more likable. But psychologists have long suggested that asking someone to do a small favor for you can also make them warm up to you.

The idea is that once someone has helped you, they may feel a little more invested in you. Their mind has to make sense of their own behavior, and one easy explanation is, “I helped this person because I like them.” So go ahead and ask for a small, reasonable favor. Just don’t overdo it, or the effect may go in the opposite direction.

Body Language and Smiling