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7 Simple Ways To Have An Endless Supply Of Great Conversation Topics
by Peter Murphy
Do you ever get stuck for words or experience embarrassing silences when you meet people?
If you do, you need to apply these 7 tips right away...
1. Use Topics Of Conversation That Have Worked Before
It is a mistake to feel you have to be original each time you meet a new person. Reuse jokes, stories and news that people have found interesting and entertaining before.
What has worked before is likely to work again.
2. Discover The Other Person´s Passion
We all love talking about what excites us. Ask questions to find out what makes their life worth living.
It could be dogs, cats, children, music etc. Be a detective and find out. Your reward will be someone who is delighted to talk to you.
3. Keep Up To Date With The News
Go to Google News each day to stay current on what is going on in the world. Pick a few stories to talk about.
You can read the headlines and also do a search on any topic that comes to mind. This way you will never run out of things to discuss.
4. Brainstorm Topics Of Conversation
You can do this quickly and easily at this keyword map site:
Type a word into the box in the middle of the screen and you will be presented with related words and phrases.
If I type in pizza, I get words and phrases such as pizza hut, pizza delivery, pasta, Ialian and delivery.
How is this useful?
Let´s say I am going to a pizza party I could do this brainstorming exercise beforehand. And then think up anecdotes and personal stories for each related topic. At the party I will be ready to chat.
You can do the same in anticipation of likely conversation topics related to the event you will attend.
5. Use The Principle Of Reciprocity
Give first to receive. You need to offer some personal disclosure to allow others to get to know you. And when you tell them a little about yourself they will feel obliged to return the favor.
There is no need to reveal overly personal details just keep it to small talk. It is easy to mention what you have been doing that day or that week.
6. Each Day Brainstorm Word Associations
People who love to talk and who never seem to pause for breath have a knack for taking one idea or topic and moving onto a related one. They do this all day long.
How do they do it?
By letting their imagination link one topic to another. This follows on from what I said earlier.
Keep up to date with the news and use the keyword map to come up with related topics of conversation.
7. Practise, Practise, Practise!
When you are alone practise taking a conversation from one topic to another. Talk it through aloud and let it flow.
For example a conversation on pizza:
- Pizza Hut, I went there last Friday and had...
- pizza delivery, it was raining and I was starving...
- pasta, I love that new sauce at the restaurant in town...
- Italian, my cousin just married an Italian guy... -
- delivery, UPS dropped off my new bike today...
For each topic just let yourself talk without restriction.
Finally, remember the point of small talk is to bond with people. You do not have to get stuck into a serious discussion. Be easy on yourself and bear in mind conversation is a two way street. It´s not all up to you.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE:-
Knowing what to say is only the tip of the iceberg.
You must take charge of your emotional state or else you will freeze when the pressure is on. Your good intentions will be in vain if you do not feel talkative when the moment of truth arrives.
However you CAN feel enthusiastic, confident and energetic when you prepare correctly.