Small Talk Topics I Use at Startup Events
The first time I went to a startup event, I asked myself: “What should I speak about with all these strangers?” I wasted a lot of time overthinking and eventually haven’t spoken to many interesting people at the event. So, I decided to get prepared for the next event to take it all. Below you can find the 21 small talk questions I often use at events.
— What is Small Talk? Small talk meaning;
— How to Make Small Talk?
— Small Talk Questions & Conversation Starters;
— How to Join a Group at an Event?
Are you building a software startup? We are investing in early-stage revenue-generating software startups across the world and would love to hear from you! You can reach us at info@leta.vc or fill in the form here.
What is small talk? Small talk meaning
Small talk refers to a casual and light-hearted conversation that serves as a way to establish social connections, build rapport, and engage in informal communication with others.
How to Make Small Talk?
Ask open-ended questions
These types of questions encourage the person being asked to share their thoughts, feelings, opinions, or experiences and promote a more extended and meaningful conversation. Moreover, ask people about themselves. People like talking about themselves, and it’s easier to start than discuss some difficult topics.
Put away your phone
When you are at an event try not to use a phone. Of course, it’s more comfortable to use a phone because it makes you feel less stressed, but you lose concentration and will not approach people. Also, if somebody decides to approach you and sees that you are using a phone he or she will decide to approach someone else. Check out the next paragraph on how to be less stressed.
Show your enthusiasm
While small talk may not always be the most stress-free activity, especially for introverts, approaching it with a positive attitude can make a difference.
Lifehack: if you feel a bit stressed, just take two deep breaths that allow you to calm your mind and reduce the concentration of stress hormones in your blood. Additionally, you can smile wide even if you don’t want to. It also reduces stress. I don’t know how it works, but it really does!
Active listening
Try to listen carefully to the people you are talking to. While it may be tempting to zone out during a conversation occasionally, you can build stronger connections by genuinely paying attention. The other person will notice and appreciate your engagement.
Small Talk Questions & Conversation Starters:
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Could you please tell me more about your startup?”
- “What’s the most exciting thing about your business?”
- “What’s the most exciting thing about your product?”
- “What’s the most exciting thing about your team?”
- “What’s the most exciting thing about your industry?”
- “What’s the most significant change at your company in the past six months?”
- “Tell me about your highlights at [company name].”
- “Tell me about your challenges at [company name].”
- “What’s your biggest priority right now?”
- “If you could go back one year in time, what would you do differently?”
- “What’s your number one most important metric?”
- “What’s your industry like right now?”
- “Do you need any introductions?”
- “How can I be helpful?”
- “As an expert in [field], I’d love to hear your thoughts on [event, announcement, major change].”
- “Tell me about your latest work win.”
- “Which blogs are you reading to stay informed on [topic]?”
- “How did you like the panel/lecture/open talk with [names] tonight?”
- “What is your investment focus?”
- “What is the best way to reach out to you after the event?”
- “Do you have any suggestions on where I can go after the event?”
How to join a group at an event
Upon entering a room filled with unfamiliar faces, our inner critic often takes over, flooding us with apprehension about potential rejection. We may find ourselves grappling with thoughts like “I hope I don’t appear desperate, pushy, or incompetent.” These self-doubting thoughts can create anxiety and self-consciousness, making it challenging to feel at ease in such social situations.
The best way to identify the group to join is to see which one has the speaker/panelist/host or a renowned business leader as its member.
How to enter the group? Observe the members of the group and look for someone who is displaying open body language signals, such as a smile and brief eye contact with you. This may indicate allowing you access. Wait for a brief pause in their conversation, and then confidently join the group. By choosing a member who is displaying welcoming nonverbal signals and timing your entry during a lull in their conversation, you increase the likelihood of being warmly received and included in the group dynamics. Introduce yourself briefly with your name, company’s name, and field of work.
Invest time comprehending the conversation thread before you feel pressured to contribute — here introverts score as they display better listening skills. The best way to contribute is to ask relevant questions related to the current topic of conversation.
Do you run an innovative tech startup? We are investing in early-stage revenue-generating software startups across the world and would love to hear from you! You can reach us at info@leta.vc or fill in the form here.
