Quick tips for keeping the conversation going
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Show genuine interest in the person’s responses.
- Share personal experiences and stories that are related
- Listen actively and avoid interrupting.
- Avoid controversial topics, unless the person seems open to them.
- Avoid being judgmental or negative.
- Use humor and lightheartedness.
- Make connections and find common ground.
- Stay present and avoid distractions.
- Keep the conversation balanced by taking turns speaking and avoid dominating the conversation.
#1 Ask open-ended questions
Questions that require more than a yes or no response are called open-ended questions. These questions encourage the other person to give a more detailed and thoughtful answer, which can help keep the conversation flowing. Such like “What do you enjoy most about your job?” or “Can you tell me more about your recent trip?” are examples of open-ended queries.
#2 Show genuine interest in the person’s responses
Show that you are listening by asking clarifying questions and paying close attention to the other person. This will help you connect with the other person and make them feel important, both of which are great conversation starters.
#3 Share related personal experiences
Sharing your own experiences and stories can help keep the conversation interesting and engaging. This can also help establish a connection with the other person, as you are sharing a part of yourself. However, be mindful of the other person’s reactions and avoid sharing too much personal information too soon.
#4 Listen actively and avoid interrupting
Active listening is focusing on the speaker without interrupting them and maintaining eye contact. This not only demonstrates to the other person that their input is valuable, but also keeps the dialogue moving forward.
Don’t cut the other person off mid-sentence; doing so is disrespectful and disrupts the discourse.
#5 Avoid controversial topics, unless the person seems open to them
It doesn’t take long for conversations on politics, religion, and personal beliefs to turn contentious and divisive. Don’t bring up sensitive issues until you’re comfortable with the other person and know they’re willing to talk about them.
If you must bring up a sensitive issue, do it with consideration for the other person’s viewpoint.
#6 Avoid being judgmental or negative
If both people in a discussion feel heard and appreciated, the dialogue is more likely to progress. When talking to someone, it’s best to avoid making any harsh comments or judgments about them, as this can put them on the defensive and make them less interested in continuing the conversation. Instead, try to establish areas of agreement and have productive conversations.
An example of a judgmental comment might be “That’s a stupid idea,” while a more constructive comment might be “I see your point, but I have a different perspective.”
#7 Use humor and lightheartedness
Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood and make the conversation more enjoyable. Share jokes, funny stories, or humorous observations, but be mindful of the other person’s sense of humor and avoid making jokes that might be considered insensitive or offensive.
Humor is a powerful tool for breaking the ice and keeping the conversation going when things are stressful. Making a pun or a humorous statement about a common experience is one way to inject humor into a conversation.
#8 Make connections and find common ground
One of the keys to keeping a conversation going is finding common ground with the other person. Look for areas of shared interests, experiences, or opinions, and use these as opportunities to engage in deeper conversation.
If you and your date share a passion for hiking, you may strike up a conversation about your favorite trails and each other’s experiences. Establishing some points of agreement helps people feel more comfortable talking to one another.
#9 Stay present and avoid distractions
To keep a conversation going, it’s important to stay focused and present in the moment. Avoid checking your phone or getting sidetracked by other distractions.
The other person may feel disrespected, and the conversation may become awkward as a result. Instead, give your whole attention to the other person, looking them in the eye as you listen.
#10 Keep the conversation balanced
A conversation is more likely to continue if both parties feel heard and have an opportunity to contribute. Avoid dominating the conversation by talking too much or interrupting the other person. Instead, take turns speaking and allow the other person to share their thoughts and opinions.
Pay attention to the other person’s nonverbal indicators, such as body language, to determine whether or not they are engaged in the conversation. Asking the other person, a question and giving them time to answer it without interrupting or talking over them is one way to maintain parity in a conversation.
What words can I use to keep the conversation going?
Use these words and phrases that can help keep a conversation going:
- “Tell me more about that”
- “What do you mean by that?”
- “Can you elaborate on that?”
- “I’d love to hear more about…”
- “How did you get into that?”
- “What made you decide to…?”
- “What’s your experience with…?”
- “What do you think about…?”
- “Have you heard about…?”
- “What’s your opinion on…?”
- “That’s interesting, can you tell me more?”
- “What was the most challenging part?”
- “What was the most rewarding part?”
- “How did you overcome that?”
- “Can you give me an example?”
- “What’s your favorite part?”
- “That sounds fascinating, can you tell me more?”
- “What inspired you to…?”
- “What are your future plans?”
- “What lessons have you learned?”
Why is it important to keep the conversation going?
Keeping a conversation going is important for several reasons:
- Relating to another person and developing a bond with them is facilitated by talking to them.
- In order to get fresh insights and understanding from the other person, it is important to keep the conversation going and to listen to their views and opinions.
- Whether they are personal or professional, connections can be strengthened by consistent, open, and continuing communication.
- Conversational practice is a great way to hone your communication abilities including active listening, idea expression, and problem solving.
- Keeping a conversation going might lead to new possibilities for friendship, partnership, or collaboration.
- Trust can grow through mutually beneficial conversations in which each person is heard and appreciated.
Tips for building rapport by a conversation
- Make an effort to learn more: Interact with the other person by asking questions and paying close attention to what they have to say. Demonstrate that you care about what they have to say by actively listening to them.
- Look for a middle ground: Try to find some common ground, such as a shared hobby, experience, or perspective, and use that as a springboard for a more in-depth discussion.
- Use open-ended questions: Encourage the other person to share more by asking open-ended questions, such as “What made you decide to…?” or “What’s your experience with…?”
- Pay attention to the other person’s tone of voice, body language, and the words they choose to employ, and try to mimic those aspects in your own communication. By doing so, you can begin to connect with the other person and build trust.
- Act empathetically by putting yourself in the other person’s position and trying to see things from their point of view.
- Tell a story from your own life: Telling a story from your own life can help you connect with others and create a more personal and intimate interaction.
- Don’t bring up sensitive subjects: Stay away from anything that could potentially spark an argument or raise tension in the room.
- Just pay attention: Listen attentively and actively, without interrupting the other person, and focus your complete attention on the topic at hand.
- Respect others by not monopolizing the discourse or interrupting them. Make room for the other person to talk about what’s on their mind.
Using these guidelines, you may set the stage for a dialogue that leads to deeper bonds.
