By Team TCP

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One of the best sources we've come across to date is Barbara Walter's book, How to Talk With Practically Anybody About Practically Anything.  Even though this book was written in 1974, the fundamentals are still working to date.  Keep in mind, Barbara spoke to all individuals in many countries.  There may be other books that are credible, yet, we find why fix it if it's not broken?

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Breaking the Ice - Conversation Starters:

• Find common ground: Look around you for conversation starters. Are you at a networking event? Mention the speaker or the venue. Stuck in line for coffee? Comment on the weather or the delicious-looking pastries.

• Ask open-ended questions: Instead of a yes-or-no question, ask something that invites conversation. "What brings you to this event?" or "Have you read any good books lately?" are great ways to get people talking.

• Compliment genuinely: A sincere compliment can be a disarming conversation starter. "That's a great jacket, where did you get it?" People appreciate compliments and it shows you're paying attention.

 

The Art of Listening:

It's not all about you! Networking and conversation are a two-way street. Once you've gotten the dialogue going, be an active listener. Pay attention to what the other person is saying, ask follow-up questions, and show genuine interest in their experiences.

• Focus on the speaker: Make eye contact, nod occasionally, and avoid interrupting.

• Ask follow-up questions: Show you're engaged by asking questions that build on what they've said.

• Find commonalities: Look for things you have in common and use that to build rapport.

 

Beyond the Small Talk:

Networking isn't just about chit-chat. It's about building connections. As the conversation flows, look for ways to connect on a deeper level.

• Share your story: Briefly talk about yourself and your interests. This allows the other person to find common ground with you.

• Offer help: If someone mentions a challenge they're facing, see if you have any insights or connections that could be helpful.

• Exchange information: Before parting ways, exchange contact information. This could be a business card, a LinkedIn profile link, or an email address.

 

AGAIN - we highly suggest Barbara Walter's book, How to Talk With Practically Anybody About Practically Anything.   In the meantime, here are more tips to enhance your skill. 

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The 4 Best Openers: How to Break the Ice With Absolutely Anyone, Anywhere   SOURCE

by Minda Zetlin

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Are you good at starting conversations with people you don't know? If you're like most people, trying to strike up a conversation with a stranger feels awkward and uncomfortable. And if you do work up the nerve to go up to a stranger and start a conversation, you may be stuck trying to figure out what to say.

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While I can't take away the awkward feeling that talking to strangers can bring up, I can help with the question of what to say. As a journalist who's interviewed thousands of strangers over more than 30 years, I've found some simple techniques can help get a dialogue going smoothly. 

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A great way to start is by picking a conversational opener that will likely make the other person want to engage with you and talk to you. These four categories of openers almost always work for me.

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1. Mention a shared experience.

Even if you've never met someone, you almost always can reference some experience the two of you have shared or are sharing. If you're at a conference, you can ask, "How's the conference going for you so far?" a simple conversational opener that I use often. If someone just gave a particularly inspiring keynote or the venue is unusual in some way, mentioning either of those things is a great way to start a conversation.

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This is also the reason that weather has become such an overused topic of conversation that "talk about the weather" is shorthand for avoiding difficult subjects. Even so, talking about the weather is often an effective conversation starter because if you and someone else are in the same geographic place, the weather is an experience you're both sharing. So, "Wow, what a beautiful day," or "Geeze, it's really freezing out there," are great conversational openers.

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2. Give someone a compliment.

Research suggests that human beings are susceptible to flattery, even on an unconscious level. We tend to like and want to believe people who recognize how smart (or attractive, or funny, or likable) we are. So, if you can give someone a compliment, that's often a powerful way to start a conversation.

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If you're at an event where they spoke onstage or asked a question from the audience, complimenting them on what they said is an easy way to get them to engage with you. If they're wearing an unusual clothing item or accessory that you think looks good, then saying how much you like whatever it is a great way to get them to engage with you. If you haven't met the person but you know their blog, for example, then praising something they wrote can be another great approach.

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3. Offer help.

This only works in certain situations, but offering to help someone can be a great way to start a conversation. If you're at an event and they don't have a program, offering to share yours can be a good way to engage someone. Or offer to save their seat if they are stepping away temporarily. Make sure your offer is appropriate and not intrusive, however.

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4. Ask for something.

This may be the most powerful conversation opener of all. That's because of something called the Ben Franklin effect, a cognitive bias that causes us to like people who ask us for favors. Asking someone for something, if it's a request they can easily grant, is almost guaranteed to make them want to talk with you.

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An especially easy way to use the Ben Franklin effect is by asking for information. You can ask where something is or who the next speaker is or almost anything they might be likely to know. If you ask for their opinion or advice, that might be doubly effective because research also suggests that we tend to think people who ask for our advice are smart.

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Next time you want to start a conversation with a stranger, pick an opener that fits one of these four categories. Before you know it, your conversation will be off to a great start.

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2024 Networking Tips  SOURCE

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In-person networking can be a valuable way to meet new people, share ideas and resources, and potentially find job opportunities or business opportunities.  It can also be a great way to learn from and be mentored by more experienced professionals, and to get advice and guidance as you navigate your career or business.

Before getting into our top 10 in-person networking tips, reminder to consider using a digital business card at your next event.

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Digital business cards make exchanging information with new connections quick and easy.

Plus they’re far more effective than paper business cards which usually end up in the trash.

 

Be genuine 

People can sense when you’re not being sincere, so be authentic and genuine in your interactions. Show a genuine interest in getting to know others and what they do.

You’ll never know how your skills and interests can connect with others unless you give them the space to be open with you, and until you are open with them. Then — and only then — can real, valuable relationships grow.

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Be prepared

Research the event or organization you’ll be attending and have a clear idea of what you hope to get out of it.

You don’t have to go too deeply in-the-weeds when it comes to event-specific preparation, but you should know the basics of where you are and, ideally, have some talking points related to the subject or focus of the event.

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Be a good listener

Good networking involves more than just talking about yourself. In fact, you should talk about yourself as little as possible. This doesn’t mean be vague. Clarity is best when its concise.

So prepare to explain to people who you are, and what you do. But then do your best to show that you’re interested in THEM you do this first by active listening — and through active listening genuine (and engaging) questions will naturally arise.

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Have (and practice) a clear and concise elevator pitch

Have a brief, concise, and engaging summary of what you do and what you’re looking for ready to share with others. Try to put some of your own flavor on your pitch.

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Describe yourself in a way that is unique to you — but also remember that you want people to actually understand what you’re saying. So don’t be too outlandish with the words you use. Simplicity is best.

Being overly complex is usually a red flag that shows either uncertainty or insecurity. Have confidence in who you are and what you do.

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No matter whom you speak with, treat everyone as fellow humans and simply tell them what you do. That’s it — that’s the key to a successful elevator pitch.

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This is more true in 2024 then ever when people are very much “over” egotistical personalities. You don’t have to inflate yourself these days. Just be honest and have confidence in your honesty and people will appreciate that more than you’d ever expect.

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Be open to unexpected opportunities

Networking can lead to unexpected opportunities, so be open to exploring new ideas and connections that come your way. Yes, it’s good to have some idea of what might be a positive outcome before you enter an event.

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Perhaps you’re looking for a job in customer service. BUT, maybe something presents itself in marketing. Don’t shut down just because it’s not exactly what you were looking for. Be open to all opportunities and follow your gut.

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Be professional - Be yourself - just don't offend!

2024 is a time where self-expression is bigger then it’s been since the 60s. This is a great and beautiful thing. You can still express yourself while being professional.

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It’s not an either-or choice. Just make sure that you aren’t IDENTIFYING yourself with your appearance. In other words, if you associate yourself too much with how you look you will naturally feel resistance when it comes to something as simple as, say, not wearing an inappropriately casual shirt.

For instance, Is everyone else at a networking event wearing a button down? Does this IRK you that you feel pressured to wear one as well. This is a problem — not with the event, but with your over-identification with your appearance.

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Wear a button down if that’s what you should do — SO WHAT! Wear the button down and then, if you want, put a cool pin or something on the shirt if you want to add some flare. Either way, it’s not about what you’re wearing — it’s about who you ARE. You can be yourself in Armani just as well as Kirkland.

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Be bold

Take the initiative to approach people and introduce yourself. Remember, people are much more open at networking events then they may be otherwise. Stay calm, wear a smile and simply walk up to people and say hello.

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Try introducing yourself to someone who isn’t talking to others. Maybe it’s someone standing in the corner who is seemingly being ignored. Go up to THAT person and say hello.

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They may be very grateful for your kindness and you never know who they might be. Remember don’t be a predator when you’re at in-person networking events.

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Don't be overly aggressive

This tip must be paired with being bold. Yes, be bold — but don’t be too pushy: While it’s important to be proactive in networking, make sure not to be too pushy or aggressive. Respect others’ boundaries and be mindful of their time.

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SOURCE

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