How to Master Small Talk for Business and Social Success
Small talk is a skill that may help you establish connections, identify common ground, and leave a good impression on anybody you meet. In this blog, we look at how to master small talk for business and social success.
Let us give you some tips on how to perfect this really valuable talent in any setting. It might be a professional networking event, a social gathering, or simply a casual encounter with a stranger.
We'll also give you some pointers on how to avoid awkward silences when a conversation begins to dry up and how to keep the discussion going.
What is small talk and why is it important?
Well, basically it’s a type of conversation that involves exchanging information or opinions on topics that are not very important or personal. It usually involves talking to people you don’t know well or maybe want to get to know better.
Small talk has several benefits, such as:
It shows that you’re friendly, polite, and interested in the other person.
It helps you find out if you have things in common or shared interests with the other person.
It improves your communication and listening skills.
It creates a positive atmosphere and reduces tension or awkwardness.
It opens the door for more meaningful conversations and relationships.
How to make small talk in any situation
1. Ask open-ended questions
Ask questions that are open-ended.
Questions that are open-ended need more than a yes or no response. These inquiries that begin with the words: how, why, where, what, and when. They urge the other person to provide more information and express their perspectives, which may lead to more fascinating and engaging discussions.
Some examples of open-ended questions are as below:
How do you know the host of this event?
What do you think of the speaker’s presentation?
What are some of the projects you’re working on right now?
How do you like living in this city?
What are some of your hobbies or passions?
2. Use your surroundings or situation as a conversation starter
Another simple technique to start a discussion is to utilise your surroundings or circumstance as a starting point. This might help break the ice and provide you with something to discuss.
You can, for example, make a remark on:
The weather: “It’s such a beautiful day today. Do you enjoy sunny days like this?”
The venue: “This place is amazing. Have you been here before?”
The food or drink: “That looks delicious. What are you having?”
The event: “What brought you here today? Are you looking forward to anything in particular?”
3. Give sincere compliments
Everyone likes to receive compliments, especially when they’re sincere and specific. Giving compliments can make the other person feel good and show that you’re paying attention to them.
Some examples of sincere compliments are:
“You have a great sense of style. I love your outfit.”
“You have some great stories. I could listen to you all day.”
“You have a very impressive resume. I admire your achievements.”
“You have a very positive attitude. I appreciate your optimism.”
4. Follow up with relevant comments or questions
Following up with relevant remarks or questions is one of the keys to keeping the discussion going. This demonstrates that you are engaged and interested in what the other person is saying, as well as a want to learn more about them.
Some examples of follow-up comments or questions are:
“That sounds fascinating. How did you get into that field?”
“That’s brilliant. What do you enjoy most about it?”
“That’s scary. How did you overcome that challenge?”
“That’s very generous of you. How do you balance your work and volunteer activities?”
How to avoid awkward silences and keep the conversation flowing
During a conversation, things might frequently come to a halt, resulting in awkward silences. This might occur for a variety of reasons, including running out of things to say, losing interest, or feeling scared.
Here are some suggestions for avoiding awkward silences and keeping the conversation flowing::
Use humour (if you're comfortable with using humour): Humour can lighten up the mood and make the conversation more fun and relaxed. You might make the other person laugh and feel more at ease by using jokes, tales, or hilarious insights.
Use body language: You can communicate a lot without words. You can use eye contact, smiles, nods, gestures, and facial expressions to show that you’re engaged and interested in the conversation.
Use transitions: Transitions are words or phrases that help you switch from one topic to another smoothly and naturally. To introduce new subjects or return to old ones, use transitions such as "by the way", "speaking of", "on another note", or "that reminds me".
Use cues: Cues are words or phrases that indicate that you want the other person to continue talking or that you want to end the conversation politely. To encourage the other person to continue talking, use cues such as "tell me more", "that's interesting", "I see", or "I agree". To end the discussion graciously, use indications such as "it was nice talking to you," "I have to go now," "I'll let you get back to your work," or "let's stay in touch."
Remember that perfecting small talk takes time and practise, so don't be too harsh on yourself if you make a mistake at first. Accept the challenge, try some of the ideas above, at one of our events, and you'll find yourself making important relationships in both your business and social lives.