Ways to make people love you.

You can't actually make

someone like you. But you

can behave in ways that

will make it slightly more

likely. After all, we all want

to feel that other people

like us—that they seek our

company and enjoy being

with us. Having close

relationships is one of the

most meaningful elements

to happiness. Also, social

contact brings a big boost

in mood—for extroverts

and introverts alike

(surprising though this may

seem).

To form a friendship, you

must like someone. But

you must also be likeable.

These seven strategies will

boost your chances of that

happening.

1. Smile. No, this doesn't

come as a shock, but

studies do show thatthe

amount of time you smile

during a conversation has a

direct impact on how

friendly you're perceived to

be.

2. Be easily impressed,

entertained, and

interested. Most people

get more pleasure from

wowing you with their

humor and insight than

from being wowed by your

humor and insight.

3. Have a friendly, open,

engaged demeanor. Lean

toward people, nod, say

"Uh-huh," and turn your

body to face the other

person's body. Don't turn

your body away, cross your

arms, answer in

monosyllables, or scan the

room (or look at your

Blackberry or iPhone! I've

seen this happen!) as the

other person talks.

4. Remember trait

transfer. In trait transfer,

whatever you say about

other people influences

how people see you. If you

describe a coworker as

brilliant and charismatic,

your acquaintance will

tend to associate you with

those qualities. Conversely,

if you describe a coworker

as arrogant and obnoxious,

those traits will stick to

you. So watch what you

say.

5. Laugh at yourself.

Showing vulnerability and a

sense of humor make you

more likable and

approachable. However,

don't push this self-

deprecation too far—keep

it light. You'll make others

uncomfortable if you run

yourself down too much.

6. Radiate energy and

good humor. Because of

the phenomenon of

"emotional contagion,"

people catch the emotions

of other people, and they

prefer to catch an upbeat,

energetic mood. Even if

you pride yourself on your

cynicism, biting humor, or

general edginess, these

qualities can be conveyed

with warmth.