Starting a conversation with just about anyone is not something many people can do. Aside from starting an old and boring conversation, most people find it difficult to start and sustain an interesting and memorable conversation. One people skills you will find very valuable is your ability to start, maintain and end a conversation gracefully.
Whether you’ve spotted a potential client, see someone you admire at the bar or someone you just want to have a conversation with on the street, you don’t need to struggle to start that conversation. There are many fun conversation topics you can talk about. However, you need to have a purpose for the conversation. What you intend to achieve with the conversation will guide you on how to start.
On the contrary, starting a conversation without a purpose is like traveling without a destination in mind. A simple intent like, I want to have fun, make some friends, get some ideas, or get a new client is a reason enough to start a conversation. This helps boost your confidence and gives you an idea of how to start the conversation. Putting this at the back of your mind, you can effortlessly start a conversation with anyone at any time.
Here are 6 ways you can do so.
- Start by introducing yourself while keeping it Friendly.
Although this does not work in all cases, this old-fashioned way of starting a conversation can still prove useful. You just need to walk up to them with a smile, introduce yourself and tell them why you are introducing yourself. Chances are, the person will feel important and open to having a conversation with you.
More importantly, try to be friendly and not appear boastful while introducing yourself to avoid turning them off. Be confident and approach the person with your hands in sight. The aim is not to appear suspicious or unfriendly even before you start talking. Maintain eye contact while starting the conversation.
- Compliment the Person.
While starting a conversation with new people can be hard, you can never go wrong by starting with a compliment. Now, it’s easier to start an interesting conversation with a family member, partner, or friend because you already know them and probably know their interests. This is not so with someone you are meeting for the first time.
Consequently, starting by throwing a compliment gets the new person relaxed and in a better mood to respond to you. Also, it makes them feel good and more open to having a conversation with you. Doing this will help you realize that that anxiety and feeling of awkwardness you have when you are about to speak to someone new is all but in your head.
You can complement about any unique thing you see on them, from their jewelry, tattoo, or dressing. You will be surprised that they will be open to sharing the story behind their choice of such. Be careful not to comment on aspects of the person’s appearance that are intimate. You can equip yourself with some questions to ask them but avoid questions like “is that really your hair”? or is that your real eye color? This is a big turn-off when starting or maintaining an interesting conversation.
- Ask For Their Opinion.
Asking someone you want to have a meaningful conversation about their opinion on something is a good way of showing them that you are interested in what they think. Whether it is at an event, bar, or at a seminar. You could ask them what they think of a drink, speech, or of a particular learning schedule. Most people will be more than happy to respond to you.
- Talk about a Shared Experience.
Sometimes while trying to strike a conversation with someone new, you may realize that you both come from the same state, love the same kind of music, food, or movies. All these give you an avenue to talk more about your shared interests and experience.
Similarly, commenting about the weather is also a way of talking about a shared experience, since it’s something you both are going through. Whether it’s hot, cold, rainy, or a dry weather, making a comment about it is a good way to strike an interesting conversation with anyone.
In the same vein, talking about someone you both know is a good way of keeping the conversation going. It shows that you are part of each other’s extended social circle. However, you can only hope that you both have a good relationship with the same acquaintance as it may seem awkward if you had a nice experience with the shared acquaintance but the other person had a nasty one.
- Make an inquiry from them.
To do this, you could ask someone you want to talk to for a piece of information that you probably already know. Because we all have the tendency to be helpful, you may get a response from them and this could get you both talking. You could ask someone when the next game is starting even if you know the answer.
Also, instead of asking for a piece of information, you could ask the person for help. “Could you please pass me that paper”? Or “can I please borrow your pen to write down a number”? Whatever assistance you seek, be sure it will not cause the person a great inconvenience.
Conversely, if you are not in a position to request help from someone you want to converse with, you could offer to help them. You could offer to help them carry their groceries to the car or direct them to where they are going. This is a good way to build trust and be open to having a conversation with them. Be careful not to offer help that will cost you greatly.
- Shower the person with Praises.
If the person you are trying to start an interesting conversation with is a famous artist, writer, or celebrity, you will find showering them with praise an easy way to get their attention. You could tell them about how educating and interesting you found their last article or how beautiful you found one of their paintings to be.
Also, if they had just delivered a keynote address, you could tell them how great you feel it was. You can also be specific about what aspects of the address that got you. Say pleasant things and be sure that you mean them.
