Thankfully, according to the experts, texting is like learning how to play a musical instrument, and you can improve… with practice, practice and more practice. Jessica Alderson, a relationship expert and co-founder of dating app So Syncd, advises nervy messengers to take notes of their interactions online.

“Texting is like any other skill; it can be improved upon over time,” she explains. “While texting comes more naturally to some than others, you can become more confident and comfortable in your texting abilities with practice. While texting may seem informal compared to a skill like public speaking, it still involves effective communication, clarity and an understanding of the medium.

“One of the best ways to become more comfortable with texting is to learn from your experiences. Pay attention to how different recipients respond to your messages and think about what worked well or what you could have done differently. The more conversations you have, the more you will learn what works and how to be engaging.”

“Building your self-confidence is also key. Everyone makes mistakes, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad at communicating or don’t have anything interesting to say. It also helps to get comfortable expressing yourself. Writing in a conversational, authentic voice helps others to connect with you and understand what you’re trying to say more easily. Try not to think too much, let the conversation flow. Imagine you are talking to a good friend.”

Alderson also notes that communication is a two-way street and the other person plays as much of a part in the interaction as you do.

“Please bear in mind that just because a text didn’t have the desired outcome, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it was innately the ‘wrong’ text to send,’ she says. “Different people have different preferences for how they like to start and maintain conversations. Compatibility plays a role here — it’s possible you are simply on different wavelengths.”

Are you a rubbish texter when dating? We asked the experts if you can improve