By Peter Murphy

Introductory comments by Royane Real

Author of “Your Guide to Making Friendly Conversation"

The most important thing I've learned as a formerly shy person is that to make small talk conversation successfully, you have to master the art of using questions in a conversation.  If you can use questions effectively, you can keep almost any conversation going, with almost any person. 

Using questions in a conversation or in small talk is like making sparks to try start a fire.  Sooner or later, there is a good chance that a conversation will take hold and keep going with little effort.  Imagine how much more fun life could be if you were confident about your conversation skill, whether you are talking with a business client, or dating!

It takes time and practice to learn how to use questions effectively in small talk conversations.  You don't want to ask questions that are too general and you don't want to ask questions that are too personal.  You have to pay attention to your conversation partner to see which questions excite them to talk more, and watch out for conversation topics that either bore them or offend them.

The article by Peter Murphy which appears below will give you some good ideas on how to use small talk questions successfully to keep a conversation going.

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Feature article

4 Great Small Talk Questions that Get People Talking

By Peter Murphy

If you are not a 'people person' or a good conversationalist, you may find it quite difficult to start the ball rolling and make small talk whenever you are in the company of a room full of strangers.

If you do not get over your fears, your inability to make small talk will prove to be a disadvantage and will inhibit you from widening your social circle. Thus, you need to exert some effort into developing your 'small talk skills'.

One aspect of being a good conversationalist is knowing which type of small talk questions can break the ice and make others respond in friendly conversation with you.

Take a look at these small talk questions to get the conversation going the next time that you make small talk:

1. Work-Related Questions

"What do you do?" is a sure-fire conversation starter if you do not want to discuss mundane topics like traffic or the weather.

Someone's profession is personal enough to get them talking, but not too intrusive, especially if you are speaking with a total stranger that you have just met at a social function.  Small talk questions which are work-related can keep the ball rolling.

While you are engaging in small talk, it also helps to really listen to the way that they answer your questions.

By listening intently and looking the person in the eye while engaging in small talk, you can gather clues about the aspect of their work that they are most passionate about and take your cue from there.

2. Questions about their Interests

Finding something that you have in common is one of the keys for a good conversation to take off.

When you are engaged in small talk, ask about the other person’s interests. You can ask about the latest movie that they've seen, the type of music that they listen to, or a book that they may have read. This is where you can put to good use your knowledge about a wide range of topics.  A lot of people feel comfortable with others who share a common interest.

3. Family-related Questions

People love to talk about their families. If, for example, you happen to have a glimpse of a family picture, casually ask the person about them and if they have a close-knit family.

Do not, however, be overly intrusive since casual acquaintances may not feel comfortable if you delve a bit deeper into their personal life. Keeping your tone and your questions casual is the key to making small talk when using family-related questions to keep the exchange of words flowing.

4. Questions about General Topics

Current events, movies, music, fashion, food - these are just some of the general questions that you can present when making small talk.

If you have the opportunity to make small talk but you cannot think of anything 'witty' to say, asking questions about general topics is usually your safest bet.  

Asking people about their view on current events or world events will express your interest and knowledge about what is happening around you.

Just as it is important to know which questions to ask when making small talk, it is also vital to know how to respond to the subject brought up by the person that you are chatting with.

These small talk questions should give you enough of an edge to survive any type of social scene where you need to engage in mundane conversation with other people.

By learning how to engage in small talk, you will have additional opportunities to go out and widen your social, and also your professional circle.

Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: conversation starters 

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