3 Strategies To Making Conversation with Strangers

To many, starting up a conversation with a complete stranger is a daunting and unpredictable task. Public speaking is one of the biggest fears of all and speaking to somebody for the first time falls right in line with that category in my opinion. It doesn’t have to be scary!

When I say scary, I’m not directly meaning that it’s going to raise your blood pressure or give you a panic attack, but it’s common for your gut to feel tense, and for you to slur over your words every now and again. This is okay and you’re not the only person.

Strategy 1: The Compliment This is the easiest of the three to implement and can be done as soon as today. What do people enjoy? I don’t know about you, but when somebody gives me a compliment, it makes me feel good! It lowers my guard.

You can complement the other person on their clothes, their shoes, or whatever you think might genuinely think is nice. Notice how I said genuine. Being genuine about the interactions is vital.

Strategy 2: The Question This strategy changes the dynamic of the relationship. Rather than starting off as equals, you are starting off as somebody who does not know something.

By asking a person at the store or networking event a specific question they likely know the answer to, you’re able to lower their guard and give them an opportunity to deliver something to you.

Strategy 3: The Joke This strategy is the most difficult of the three and is also the easiest to mess up and come across as disingenuous. Come up with a carefully crafted joke off of the whim about the other person, or their particular behavior.

As long as it is not about something they could be self-conscious about, when the joke lands, they will laugh too. Sometimes people will be less receptive than others. You might get cold shoulder or they might not open up, and that’s okay.

Breaking The Ice All of the strategies when applied and practiced can help you make networking much easier and less scary for not only you but the other person.

It is up to you to decide in a matter of seconds whether or not the person that you’re speaking to is somebody that you would like to stay in contact with or remain a stranger you merely met once.