How To Start (and Maintain) a Conversation With Anybody
With the right formula, your conversations will develop naturally.
Starting a conversation can feel like a daunting task. If you’ve been in isolation for a long time, your social skills may have gotten rusty. Or maybe you’ve always been shy and you hate making the first move.
Don’t worry — making conversation is a skill anyone can learn. Here are a few basic tips that will work in any situation, including dates or business events.
Note: The tips assume the conversation is happening in-person or over Zoom/Skype/etc. But you can apply the basic principles to text-based online interactions too.
1- Keep It Simple, Stupid
The first question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I overcomplicating this?”
Remember, the point of conversations isn’t for you to show off. If you focus on saying impressive things and seeming unique, there are two ways the conversation can go:
- You end up talking the other person’s ear off, which most people find annoying.
- You can’t think of what to say and stay quiet.
Instead, stick to the basics — ask simple questions, tell honest stories, and don’t pretend you’re someone…
