Words by Nick Levine

Summer is an inherently romantic time of year – the sun is shining, hopefully, and life feels flush with possibilities. But it's also a hectic time filled with family get-togethers, drinks in the park and birthday barbecues. On top of this, you may have taken annual leave for a staycation or foreign holiday. "As we head into the summer, you're probably dreaming of that summer romance, but it can be hard to keep the connection going on dating apps when you're just so busy," says Serena Novelli, a sex love, and relationships expert. With this in mind, here are six handy tips to keep the chat alive during the peak of the summer holiday season.

1. Ask the right kind of questions

When everyone is stretched and time is of the essence, stale small talk just won't cut it. A bland opening message like "How's it going?" is more likely to be ignored than something personalised and thoughtful. "Asking interesting questions is so important because it helps you and your match to get to know each other on a slightly deeper level," says lifestyle expert Vicki Bahra. "But I always say you should try to keep it fun and lighthearted at the same time." That way, chatting to you will feel like a pleasure and not a chore.

At the same time, Novelli points out that asking "open-ended questions" will help to keep the conversation flowing while "opening up opportunities to really get to know one another". So, for example, it's better to ask "what do you like to cook when you have time?" rather than "are you into cooking?" It sounds a little corny, but an app chat will probably flourish when both parties have an equal opportunity to nurture it.

2. Don't be shy to say what you want

By being absolutely clear about your own intentions, you're more likely to connect with someone who's looking for the same kind of relationship as you. "It's a way of making sure you attract a respectful person and quite honestly, don't end up wasting your time," says Bahra. As well as putting this information in your bio, you can streamline your matches using Badoo's Intentions filter.

This filter asks you to choose one of three options – "here to date", "ready for a relationship", and "open to chat" – so you only match with people who want the same thing. It's a simple feature that helps to weed out daters who aren't on the same page as you. An "open to chat" person, for example, probably won't want to put a ring on it any time soon. And because you can change your answer at any point, it's also super-flexible.

3. Be as selective as possible

Novelli says it's wise "not to overwhelm yourself" by chatting to too many people on too many different apps. After all, you probably have friends, family and work group chats to keep on top of as well. "This will ensure you don't feel like you're trapped in a constant communication loop," she says. "And it should also make dedicating time to the dating game more appealing and enjoyable."

Don't feel bad about making tough decisions about which chats to invest with your precious energy. "It's super-easy to let conversations fizzle out, so if dating and meeting the one is a priority for you, make sure the people you're chatting with are worthy of your time," says Novelli. "That way, you'll be happy to show up and spend time with them even on your very busiest of days."

4. Try not to disappear for days on end

It might sound obvious, but consistency tends to pay off on app chats. "Connection is key in building a relationship and the best way to do this is to have regular conversations," says Novelli. But at the same time, Novelli recommends "setting clear boundaries" with your match so you both know what to expect from one another. If you don't like chatting in the morning because you have quite enough to get on with already, be honest about it. Equally, if you like to catch up with chats on your commute home, make a joke about it. This way, you'll find you and your match soon fall into a comfortable and mutually satisfying pattern of conversation.

5. But if you're entering a busy patch, be upfront about it

Even with the best will in the world, there are likely to be days when you can't devote much time to app chats. When this happens, it's better to be honest with your match so they don't feel neglected or – worse still – like they're being ghosted. "Transparency is imperative so no one is being left in the lurch and mutual respect is being given," Bahra says. And because mutual respect is the bedrock of any healthy relationship, it always pays to establish this from the very start.

6. If in doubt, play a game… yes, really

This might sound quite random, but it's a failsafe way of injecting some levity into the chat. Bahra suggests starting a game of truth or dare with your match because it's "good fun" and "something you can both invest in". "For the dare part," she suggests, "you could send each other pictures of your surroundings, which will in turn help you to build up intimacy."

Just remember to keep your own safety at the forefront of your mind. If you don't know your match very well, don't send anything that could reveal your address or place of work. And if you don't want to take on a particular dare, just say so. There's no point in playing a game if you're not enjoying it any more. And when it comes to keeping the chat alive during summer holiday season, fun is definitely a vital ingredient.