50 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS

From Don Gabor's bestselling book How to Start a Conversation & Make Friends

1. Introduce yourself to others.
2. Be the first to say hello.
3. Take risks. Don't anticipate rejection.
4. Display your sense of humor.
5. Be receptive to new ideas.
6. Ask a person's name if you have forgotten it.
7. Show curiosity and interest in others.
8. Tell others about the important events in your life.
9. Tell others about yourself and what you enjoy doing.
10. Make an extra effort to remember people's names.
11. Show others you are a good listener by paraphrasing their comments.
12. Communicate with enthusiasm and interest.
13. Go out of your way to meet new people.
14. Accept a person's right to be an individual.
15. Let the natural you come out when talking to others.
16. Be able to tell others what you do in a few short sentences.
17. Reintroduce yourself to someone who has forgotten your name.
18. Tell others something interesting or challenging about what you do.
19. Be aware of open and closed body language.
20. Use eye contact and smiling as your first contact with people.
21. Greet people you see regularly.
22. Seek common interests, goals, and experiences in those you meet.
23. Make an effort to help people if you can.
24. Let others play the expert.
25. Be open to answering ritual questions.
26. Get enthusiastic about other people's interests.
27. Balance talking and listening in a conversation.
28. Be able to speak about a variety of topics and subjects.
29. Keep abreast of current events and the issues that affect our lives.
30. Be open to other people's opinions and feelings.
31. Express your feelings, opinions, and emotions to others.
32. Use "I" when revealing your feelings concerning a personal topic.
33. Don't use the word "you" when you mean "I."
34. Show others that you are enjoying the conversation with them.
35. Invite people to join you for dinner, social events, or other activities.
36. Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances.
37. Ask other people for their opinions.
38. Look for the positive in those you meet.
39. Start and end conversation with a person's name and a handshake.
40. Take time to be cordial with your neighbors and coworkers.
41. Let others know that you want to get to know them better.
42. Ask others about things they have told you in previous conversations.
43. Listen carefully for free information.
44. Be tolerant of other people's beliefs if they differ from yours.
45. Change the topic of conversation when it has run its course.
46. Always search for the other person's "hot button."
47. Compliment others about what they are wearing, doing, or saying.
48. Encourage others to talk with you by sending out receptive signals.
49. Make an effort to see and talk to people you enjoy being with.
50. When you tell a story, present the main point first, and then add the supporting details based on the other person's interest in the topic.