9 Ways To Start A Conversation With People (Article)

Public speaking is frequently rated the number one thing people are afraid of from the average Joe to the CEO.

Now, speaking in front of an audience may be tough, but many people frequently find simply beginning a conversation one-on-one just as intimidating. Maybe it's the CEO at your company, a new colleague, the guy from the fifth floor, the girl from accounting, or a stranger in the street. Whomever you desire to converse with, there's most certainly a way to strike up a conversation. The best part of it all is that it gets easier with practice.

 Try these conversation starters to talk to absolutely anybody: 

• Skip the small talk. "What's up with this weather?" and "How 'bout them [insert local sports team]?" are as bad as cheesy pick-up lines when it comes to starting a conversation. Avoid tired topics. Every situation is unique, so you should be able to find a unique conversation starter. 
• Ask for their opinion. Everyone has one! For someone you don't know well, start with light subjects like the food, the music, the atmosphere, etc. "Do you like your Margaritas with salt or without? Do you watch horror movies? Do you like this song?" It's probably best to stay away from really sticky subjects like politics unless you already know the person very well. 
• Ask for their advice or recommendations. This works very well when commenting on someone's outfit or accessories, as in "What a great tie! Where did you get it?" or on the food, as in, "Everything looks good. What are you having?" 
• Ask them a question — that's easy to answer. This is great when you know or find out that a person has expertise in a particular field. If you're talking to your company's IT guy, for example, you could ask him whether he's the guy who installs hardware or software. But avoid asking anyone to explain something super complex or involved; if that's where the conversation leads, great, but asking a really complicated question up front can feel demanding. 
• Comment on the environment. No matter where you are, there are things to comment on: the music, the food, the lights, the guests, and so on. Even if you are stuck in an elevator with someone, you can comment on the music, the speed, the crowdedness, etc. 
• Ask for an update. If you know someone a little or know them by reputation, ask for an update on something you know they've been doing, for example, "Oh, Mary mentioned you were taking swing dance classes. How's that going?"

 Read the last 3 tips @ Business Insider