Small Talk Strategies

Small talk is a topic which many people find difficult because the words or ideas are missing, they are uncomfortable talking to people they don’t know well or at all or they don’t see the value of making small talk. But there are some strategies you can use to help you be more successful.

Small Talk Strategies:

  1. Prepare useful words, topics and possible questions in advance.
  2. Use conversation as a starting point for small talk opportunities.
  3. View small talk as a chance to challenge your own ideas and see other perspectives.
  4. Practice skills with people who seem approachable.
  5. Start with a smile.
  6. Try to identify shared topics of interest.
  7. Say something about yourself to create trust after finding common interests.
  8. Use open questions starting with what, where, how, when, why, who to find out more.
  9. Use pauses to your advantage as a chance to think.
  10. Refer back to previous conversations with the same person.
  11. Stay away from controversial topics.
  12. Make a compliment to the other person.
  13. Use the person’s first name during the conversation.
  14. Be aware that listening is as important as speaking.
  15. Restate what the other person has said to show you are listening.
  16. Be aware that different cultures and personalities may view the importance of small talk differently.
  17. Practice your skills in low risk environments (e.g. with people you probably won’t see again).
  18. Recognize that small talk is a skill which may take practice to do well. Just keep trying!

Now watch the video and decide whether the strategies in the quiz below are shown (T) or not shown (F).

Do you remember which strategies were mentioned? Try out the quiz!

1.

Prepare useful words, topics and possible questions in advance.

 
 

2.

View small talk as a chance to argue your point.

 
 

3.

Practice skills with people who seem approachable.

 
 

4.

Try to identify shared topics of interest.

 
 

5.

Avoid saying something personal about yourself to create trust.

 
 

6.

Use open questions starting with what, where, how, when, why, who to find out more.

 
 

7.

Use pauses to allow the other person to speak more.

 
 

8.

Make a compliment to the other person.

 
 

9.

Avoid using the person’s name during the conversation.

 
 

10.

Restate what the other person has said to show you are listening.

 
 

11.

Be aware that different cultures and personalities may view the importance of small talk differently.

 
 

12.

Practice your skills in low risk environments (e.g. with people you probably won’t see again).

 
 

Extra Resources:

https://www.targettraining.eu/not-everyones-a-natural-at-small-talk/

 

 

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