Three Techniques for Keeping a Conversation Alive

Have you ever had a conversation at a networking event where the conversation died after the initial exchange of "Hi, how are yous?" We all have.  Here are three ways to keep a conversation alive.

#1 - When asked a yes/no question, respond in a way that keeps the conversation going. 

Instead of saying, "yes, or no," to "Did you have a hard time finding this location?" say, "it was really easy for me to find since I used to live three blocks from here." 

That keeps the conversation going and gives the other person something to respond to.  "Really? I used to live near here also."

#2 - Go to events prepared with responses to these inevitable questions:
"How are you?" 
"How's life/business/work?"
"What's been going on?" 

It may be easy to give superficial, one-word answers such as "Fine," "Good," "Nothing much," but those answers won't do much to advance the conversation because they don't give the questioner
anything to build on. 

Instead, have something interesting to say that will keep the conversation going. 

"My wife and I just got back from a wonderful trip to the Grand Canyon." 

 "Our business is expanding so much that it's providing real challenges in terms of staffing." 

 "I've been doing a lot of hiking this summer."

#3 - Phrase your own questions in a way that can't be answered with just one word. 

Instead of "Did you enjoy the presenter?", ask "How did you find the presenter's topic?"  If you get a short reply, follow up with "What did you find most interesting about the presentation?"

These techniques work at events, as well as with people you see regularly - colleagues, neighbors, friends.  Keeping a conversation alive will get you beyond the superficial and into the depths of what's really important to you personally and professionally.
Keeping a conversation alive is easy!  Try it this week.