1. Build up your list of words for conversation. They can be through reading, listening or writing.  Pay attention to new and existing words used in different ways, and learn to use them correctly.  This is done every now and then in your everyday life, before actual conversation.  More often than not, people are lost with the right words then the thoughts.  They lack the ability to express their words in a more vivid manner.  They lack the ability to join, break, make similarities or differences, or interlink their sentences (thoughts) together.  And this can be a problem when you want to express or influence your partner in continuing the conversation.
2. Start with common topics such as the weather, family, job, company, neighbourhood that he is living in, financial market, children, education, hobbies, interests and the recently released movie.  You see, it can be anything!  You may find that these topics are boring! However, not only these topics allow you to understand your partner better, it can also spawn off many more topics for your conversation than you have thought off initially!  Talking about personal stuff can also build trust and open up your partner.  In the event that you run out of topic in a conversation, look back on the list here!  We are sure that you still can continue with the conversation with these everyday topics. J
3. Watch out for break points in the conversation or sentences. Use these break points as junctions for you to inject your sentences or express your thoughts.  Not only can you reciprocate with your partner, by agreeing or disagreeing with a simple nod, you get a chance of swaying the direction of the conversation.  How?  These break points are good for you to switch topic smartly and graciously.  You can use, “By the way, I recently…”, “Anyway, have you watch…” which are some examples to sway the conversation to another direction.  However, do find the correct break points.  By injecting at the wrong time, or commonly known as interrupting, it illustrates your impatience, insensitiveness, lack of interest and courtesy.
4. Finally, watch out for keywords that your partner is using.  These keywords are used by your partner for a certain reason.  Keywords can also be used for you to find avenues to spawn another topic or question.  Two things you should do on keywords: (1) acknowledge it and (2) keep track of it.  By acknowledging, you affirm your understanding of your partners concerns.  This is important as humans “want to be heard”.  By keeping tracking of the keyword, you have a new avenue to spawn a new topic to continue with the conversation.  Example of acknowledgment: “I’m reluctant…” can be responded with “I see that you may not be comfortable with…, however, would it be possible to tell me more about your actual concern?  I like to address it with my capabilities…” Example of tracking keywords: “I love watching TV series” may open a possibility of a topic on movies (through swaying) where you can respond in “What about movies? Do you watch movies too?”

These are just some tricks that can be used for you to keep the conversation going and avoid being in the moment of silence leaving everyone feeling a little uneasy. Share with us if you have other tricks too! J

1. Be open about yourself – The first thing that you should ever do when you want people to talk is to be open about yourself.  Being open about yourself allows people to be comfortable with you.  How?  You give them trust by sharing information about yourself first.  In this way, people respond with theirs.  If you do not start somewhere, then it will be difficult to maintain the conversation for long.
2. Avoid talking too much of yourself – Being open is the first step that you should take too build trust in a conversation.  However, avoid the loophole of talking too much of yourself.  This becomes self-centeredness and attempting to put the focal point of discussion around you.  A right touch (amount) of self information that portrait openness is good.  Too much of it will irritate and bored your partner.  They will only view you as being self-indulging and living in your own world.
3. Be genuine curious and interested about your other partner but – Be genuine interested in finding out more about your partner.  By being curious about your partner, you tend to come out with questions that can relate to your partner.  When your partner finds that you are really interested in them (and after building trust between you and him), he will more likely share more information with you.
4. Give the right balance amount of attention to everyone in a conversation –In a group conversation, usually, there will be one or two “alphas” that lead the conversation.  And usually you are one of them as you are taking the lead to get people talking.  Be it any conversation; give rights to everybody for them to voice their opinion.  If they lack the initiative to speak, ask for their opinion or consensus instead.  Example, “Mary, do you agree with the Joe’s comment about banker’s salary?”  In this way, the introvert Mary will not feel left out in the conversation and you assisted to be brought into the conversation.
5. Bring similarities of topic in a conversation – Another tip in group conversation where there are individuals that lack initiative in voicing their opinion; Assist to bridge similar experiences of different individuals together.  Example, “Joe loves rock climbing.  He does that every weekend!  Hey, Mary, you are a rock climber too right?”  In this way, you bring two experiences (topic) together and a common topic both Joe and Mary can follow through.

Use these conversational tips to get people talking!  Are there other tips that you used to get people talking in a conversation or to break the silence?