There is a difference between being liked and being craved. When someone craves your company, they are not just happy to see you—they actively seek you out, think about you when you are not around, and look forward to every interaction. The secret? It is not about trying too hard or forcing a connection. It is about creating an experience they want more of. Here are the best ways to make someone crave your presence without even trying.
1. Leave Conversations Randomly So They’re Left Wanting More
Most people drag out conversations until they fizzle out naturally, but confident, magnetic people know when to leave at the peak of engagement. Instead of waiting for an awkward silence, exit while the conversation is still buzzing. Say something like, “I have to run, but remind me to tell you the rest later,” or simply dip out with a casual, “We’ll finish this another time.” Leaving while they are still fully engaged makes them want the next interaction. According to a Harvard study published in PNAS, conversations rarely end when both parties want them to, creating inherent tension that strategic exits can leverage to maintain intrigue.
This works because it creates an open loop in their mind. Instead of feeling like the conversation has run its course, they are left hanging, wondering what else you were going to say. The key is to make your exit smooth and effortless—do not make it seem like a game, just leave with enough unfinished energy that they are already looking forward to the next time.
2. Don’t Always Be Available, Skip A Few Social Events
If you are always around, people start taking your presence for granted. But if you disappear for a little while—skip a few social outings, take longer to respond, or just go off the radar without explanation—people notice. It is not about playing hard to get, it is about giving them the space to miss you. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that strategic disengagement fosters independence and personal growth, making individuals more compelling when they reappear.
The key here is balance. You do not want to vanish so long that they move on, but just enough to create a sense of curiosity. When you do return, be fully present and engaged, like nothing happened. That contrast makes your presence feel more exciting. When you are not always an option, people appreciate you more when you are.
3. Don’t Talk To Them At Every Event You See Each Other At
Most people leave a room in the most forgettable way possible, but if you want someone to remember you, make one of your exits memorable. It does not have to be over-the-top—just something that sticks. A sudden, “I just realized something! I have to go—tell you later,” or an exaggerated, “I must make my grand escape now,” adds a little mystery to the moment. A University at Buffalo study found that cliffhangers increase audience curiosity by 40%, as unresolved narratives trigger prolonged mental engagement.
This works because it creates an element of unpredictability. If someone never knows exactly when or how you are going to leave, they stay engaged longer. People are drawn to those who bring a bit of unexpected energy into their lives. A well-timed dramatic exit makes them think about you long after you are gone.
4. Knock Their Socks Off With Great Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the easiest ways to make someone drawn to you, but if you spill everything in one go, there is nothing left to be curious about. The trick is to always hold something back. If you are in the middle of a story, pause, and casually say, “Oh, remind me to tell you the rest later.” That little bit of unfinished business keeps them invested. Psychology research in Media Psychology reveals that emotional shifts in storytelling boost retention by 32% when details are strategically withheld.
The best storytellers know that the way you tell a story is just as important as the story itself. Use pauses, let them ask questions, and drop intriguing details without giving away the full picture. When someone leaves a conversation wanting to know more about you, they will keep coming back for it.
5. Send Them A Song, Meme, Or Article That Will Hit Them Hard
Nothing makes people feel more connected than realizing someone get them. A simple, “This made me think of you,” with a meme, song, or article can go a long way in making someone crave your company. It shows that even when you are not with them, they are on your mind, which automatically makes you more interesting in theirs.
The secret is to make it personal. Instead of just sending something random, pick something that fits their personality or something you specifically talked about. It is a small but powerful way to remind them that you understand them in a way most people do not.
6. Make Intense Eye Contact So They Feel Special Around You
Most people only half-listen when others talk, but the ones who make people crave their presence are the ones who make them feel heard. The easiest way to do this? Eye contact. Not in a creepy, unblinking way, but in a way that makes the person feel like they have your full attention.
People are drawn to those who make them feel important. When you hold eye contact, nod slightly, and actually react to what they are saying, they will remember that feeling. And when someone makes them feel truly seen and heard, they will want to keep that energy around.
7. Create Inside Jokes They’ll Laugh Out Long After You’re Gone
Inside jokes create a sense of exclusivity. When you share a joke, a phrase, or even just a small reference that only the two of you understand, it makes them feel like they have a unique connection with you. This kind of bond makes someone want to be around you more, because it is fun, familiar, and just a little bit addictive.
It does not have to be complicated. Maybe it is a nickname, a funny phrase, or a running joke about something ridiculous that happened once. The more personalized it feels, the more they associate you with laughter and good energy—which makes them seek that feeling more.
8. Be Unpredictable—Don’t Text, Call, Or Respond On Their Schedule

If someone can predict exactly when you will text back, call, or be available, you lose the element of intrigue. Keeping a bit of unpredictability makes your presence feel fresh. Maybe sometimes you text back quickly, other times you take your time. Maybe you surprise them with a random call instead of the usual texting routine.
The goal is not to play games, but to avoid being too routine. When people can predict your every move, there is no excitement. A little inconsistency makes them wonder about you—and wondering leads to craving.
9. Compliment Them On Something They’ve Never Been Complimented On Before
Most people hear the same compliments over and over—on their looks, their outfit, or their job. But when you notice something unusual about them and compliment that, it sticks. Something like, “You have such a unique way of explaining things” or “You always make people feel comfortable” hits differently because it is unexpected.
The more personal the compliment, the more it makes them feel seen in a way nobody else does. And when people feel uniquely understood, they are drawn to the person who made them feel that way.
10. Have A Strong Signature Scent That Will Linger In Their Memory
Scent is one of the strongest memory triggers. When you always wear a distinct fragrance, people start associating it with you. Maybe it is a subtle cologne, a perfume, or even just the scent of your shampoo—but when they catch that smell somewhere else, it immediately reminds them of you.
This is why having a signature scent is such a powerful tool. It does not just make you more memorable—it makes them subconsciously crave your presence whenever they catch even the faintest hint of it.
11. Make Plans That Are So Cool And Unique They Won’t Forget The Fun Times
Most people default to the same generic plans—grabbing coffee, getting dinner, or meeting up for a quick chat. But if you want someone to crave your company, you need to offer something different. Whether it is an offbeat activity, a spontaneous adventure, or just a fun twist on a typical plan, creating memorable experiences makes people associate you with excitement.
The key is to make the plan feel like an experience, not just another meet-up. Instead of dinner, suggest trying a restaurant known for something unusual. Instead of a casual hangout, introduce them to something new—an escape room, a midnight drive, or a random challenge. When someone associates you with moments they could not get anywhere else, they will naturally want more of your time.
12. Laugh At Their Jokes In A Way That Makes Them Feel Like A Comedic Genius
People are naturally drawn to those who make them feel good, and nothing boosts someone’s confidence like making another person genuinely laugh. If you want someone to enjoy your company, reacting to their humor in a way that makes them feel effortlessly funny is one of the easiest ways to do it. It is not about forcing a laugh—it is about making them feel like they light up the room.
Most people do not get their jokes fully appreciated. If you genuinely laugh, play along, or even build on their humor, they will start to associate you with feeling funnier and more charismatic. And when someone feels that good around you, they will always want more of that energy in their life.
13. Make Plans And Then Cancel At the Last Minute
There is a difference between being intriguing and being outright frustrating. The goal is not to flake on people or cancel at the last minute—it is to maintain just enough unpredictability that they never feel like they have you *completely* figured out. If every interaction with you follows the same pattern, people will start to take your presence for granted. But when you add a little bit of mystery to your availability, they start looking forward to the moments they do get with you.
This does not mean ignoring people or being difficult on purpose. It just means you do not have to be overly predictable. Instead of immediately confirming plans, leave a little room for spontaneity. Instead of responding at the exact same pace every time, switch it up. When people cannot fully anticipate your every move, they naturally pay more attention. The key is to be fun and lighthearted about it—when done right, it makes you more interesting, not frustrating.
14. Reach Out To Ask About Something Important They Mentioned Weeks Earlier
Nothing makes people feel more special than realizing you actually remember what they said. When you recall small details from a previous conversation—like their favorite childhood snack, the book they mentioned wanting to read, or an inside joke they thought you forgot—it immediately makes them feel valued.
Most people only half-listen, so when you bring up a tiny detail from weeks ago, it sets you apart. It is not about memorizing everything—it is about showing that you actually care. When someone feels like you truly listen to them, they will keep coming back to you because that kind of attention is rare.
15. Keep The Conversation Going Even When You’re Not Around

The people we crave are the ones who do not just disappear when they are not physically present. If you want someone to think about you when you are not there, find ways to keep the energy going. Send a random thought that connects to your last conversation, drop a quick message referencing an inside joke, or follow up on something they mentioned wanting to do.
It is about leaving a little thread that makes them remember you in unexpected moments. The goal is to make your presence linger in their mind in a way that feels effortless. When someone keeps thinking about you even when you are not around, they naturally start wanting to be around you more.