How to start a conversation with anyone (even total strangers)

1. Open the gates

Once the first word is out, the flood gates open.

Easy conversation openers are:

- What do you do for fun?
- Tell me more about you?
- Working on anything exciting lately?

Once the conversation is open, follow the next steps to keep it going:

2. Be bold

Avoid small talk, embrace boldness instead.

Ask simple and personal questions:

- Who’s your role model?
- What’s your biggest fear?
- What’s your biggest regret?

You’d be surprised by how people will open up to bold and brave questions.

3. Body Language

Only 7% of your communication consists of words.

The other 93% are nonverbal signals.

Make sure you’re:

- Keeping eye contact
- Keeping an open posture
- Smiling and conveying emotions

4. Unique compliment

People forgot what you say.

But people don’t forget how you made them feel.

Approaching a conversation and dropping a compliment does wonder.

Make sure it comes from a genuine place.

5. Common grounds

Common ground is a topic, opinion, or interest that people can agree about

During a conversation, look for:

- Common interests
- Shared passions
- Commonalities

This will lead smoothly into the next point…

6. Ask for an opinion

Don’t ask for an opinion on a difficult topic.

Ask for an opinion about a general topic that can potentially lead to common grounds:

- What food do you like?
- What music do you like?
- What movies do you like?

7. Be present

Put your full focus on the person you’re talking to.

- No TV
- No phone
- No distractions

Keep eye contact with and follow the conversation.

TL,DR:

1/ Open the gates with a question
2/ Be bold and just ask
3/ Watch your body language
4/ Five them a compliment
5/ Find common grounds
6/ Ask for an opinion
7/ Be present

© Josh Cousins