A few lines that can help you to hold a conversation

Not Everyone can keep a conversation going or a professional networker. Although there are some extroverts who can talk with anyone and everyone at any event effortlessly, the introverts often find themselves in an awkward situation at networking events. In a desperate attempt to hold a conversation, many people also end up asking dull questions that are not only irritating, but can also repel a person from talking to you ever.

Most of us have been in such a situation when we try hard to ask something smart or tell an interesting story to hold a conversation. If you have faced such a situation, here are 5 lines for you that can help you to hold a conversation at networking occasions:

1. “Could you please let me know more about
   [insert topic / project]?”

This is one of the best ways to hold a conversation. If a person is telling you something, just look interested and ask them to provide details and say more about it. Whether it is a project or an idea, tell the person to go deeper into the subject. They will surely be flattered and will be more than happy to share more details about the thing they were talking about. This is a golden rule to hold a conversation.

2. “How did you manage to get into
   [insert name of event / conference / class]?”

This is another line or question that can help you to hold a conversation. People are always interested in telling their stories. Therefore, if you ask someone how they got into the reputed company, they will be more than happy to share their story with you.

3. “What is the best thing about
   [insert job /work /hobby]?”

You can ask the person what the best thing about his role is or what interests him the most in his business. Such questions can help you to effortlessly hold a conversation. You can then go into further detail based on the things they are telling you.

4. “What has been your biggest problem with
   [insert project / job / person]?”

Whether he is a businessman or an entrepreneur, the person in front of you has surely faced some challenges in their recent days. If you ask them what his biggest issue was, you can gain some insights from their challenge and he will enjoy sharing their story with you as well. Great follow up questions would be: What did you learn from it? How did you solve the problem?

5. “I need a break. When was the last time you went travelling?”
   Follow up with: “Which country do like the most?”

Apart from talking about work, you can ask the person which kind of vacation they like the most. It can result in a great conversation. Some people enjoy natural landscapes and walks, others like exploring cities, whilst some like to go to a resort and relax at the beach all day long. The person may just arrived from vacation (so they will be excited to talk about it), or they are going on leave soon (which is also interesting) or they haven’t taken a break for a while which makes it a good time to start thinking about it.

Thus, you see that these few lines can help you to hold a conversation without feeling awkward. Next time, you feel confused about what to talk with the person in front of you, use these lines to your advantage to start becoming a skilled networker. Start also thinking on your own questions. The entire idea is that you feel comfortable in these type of events.