Aside from selling, the best entrepreneurs are able to connect with anyone.
Building a successful business also comes down to building good networks. And with a few simple yet effective strategies – like becoming a master at talking to strangers – you can do exactly that.
Here’s how.
The Power of Small Talk
Ugh, I know.
Small talk can be cognitively demanding, stressful, and tiring- especially if you’re an introvert.
Surprisingly, psychologists found that talking to others actually boosts our mental health regardless of our personality types.
And if you learn how to do it often, it can end up helping you (and your business) go further.
Initiating the Conversation
The hardest part of any conversation is starting it.
How should you approach someone? What can you say to make them feel at ease? Should you start off by conveying that you don’t have an agenda?
According to the experts, it would depend on who you’re speaking to.
Older people are more likely to initiate a conversation. However, if you’re trying to connect with a younger person, you would need to provide a little more reassurance.
Talking to strangers takes practice. Sometimes, you will be successful, other times, you will feel like cringing.
But if you practice enough, you’ll get the hang of it and it’ll start to feel like second nature to you.
Opening the Door to a Better Conversation
Small talk per se is boring. However, you have to know what it’s for in order to appreciate it.
It’s not the conversation. Rather, small talk is a gateway to a better conversation. It’s essentially a way to get others to feel comfortable talking about something you want to talk about.
Hence, it’s important to do it well.
For instance, instead of saying “fine” if someone is asking how you’re doing, try to say something like, “I’d say I’m at 7 out of 10.” Then explain a little why and ask the other person how s/he is doing.
This is what experts call “mirroring.” It’s where others naturally follow the lead of their conversational partner.
Basically, when you say something generic, the other person will also do the same.
In order words, learn to open up a bit and you’ll find the person across the table (or screen) doing the same thing.
The Importance of Showing Interest
As Theodore Roosevelt said, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Showing interest in your clients and/or employees establishes connection and understanding. More often than not, it can lead to meaningful conversations and partnerships.
However, while curiosity is indispensable, a barrage of successive questions can feel intrusive.
Personal questions asked too early can create an awkward situation, leading to an uncomfortable dynamic that can affect the entire conversation.
Hence, instead of questions, experts suggest starting a conversation with statements. This way, the other person can decide where they want to engage or not.
You can share a random observation or a recent discovery. And then, you leave it to your client or employee to respond.
If they do, that’s when you add another statement based on what they said. The next thing you know, you’re already talking about things that do matter.
Striking a good conversation is akin to giving an uncommon gift. It’s not something everyone is capable of giving. And if you do it right, people will remember you for it.
Remote Staff has been providing Australian entrepreneurs like you with skilled remote workers from the Philippines for the last 15 years and counting. Aside from finding and hiring top remote talent, we also help with onboarding to make your virtual workplace conducive and open for great conversations and collaborations.
Call us today or schedule a call back so we can get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home.
