 | How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less |
Average customer review:
(6 customer reviews)
Product Description
Whenever you talk to someone, you have less than ten seconds to capture their attention and another twenty to hold it to you. This window, or opening to getting to know someone is incredibly vital for every salesman, marketing exec, or manager out there who has ever had an important phone call or meeting. But, it is equally as important for the scores of individuals who feel nervous or uncomfortable talking to strangers a figure estimated by many psychological studies to be upwards of 70% of individuals. Being able to have a quick and comfortable conversation can be helpful in almost every aspect of your life, in your career, your family, and your love life. This book was written for those in the vast majority who feel nervous or unhinged the second they step into an unfamiliar conversation. In 30 seconds or less, with this book, you will be able to start and hold a conversation with nearly anyone. You will learn how to start making small talk and what is so important about being able to hold a conversation to start with. From the basic tenets of how you feel about yourself to how you assume other people see you, you will learn what conversation entails and what you can expect in one when you let down your guard and simply start talking. You will learn how to start a conversation and what people do to keep a conversation going. You will learn some basic concepts of what people are interested in talking about and how to avoid those awkward pauses through preparation. Social interaction and discussion has been discussed with leaders in business, education, and psychology and their insights have been included to help even the shyest of individuals understand what they need to know to effectively start and hold conversations with anyone regardless of their current situation. Learn how to carry the clout in a conversation and which crimes and misdemeanors you can avoid to keep from feeling embarrassed. Learn how to gracefully exit a casual conversation and finally learn how to meet new people and find conversations to start by attending or holding networking events, holiday parties, or attending the much dreaded singles scene. For anyone who has ever felt shy and uncomfortable, this book is a necessary tool for understanding and initiating conversation.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #167275 in eBooks
- Published on: 2010-01-25
- Released on: 2010-01-25
- Format: Kindle eBook
- Number of items: 1
Review
As our knowledge of human interaction continues to expand, we are realising more and more about how different elements of our behaviour influence others, and how important these factors are in maintaining our quality of life. My own research into how the sound of the voice influences others perceptions of your personality has revealed how just one element of communication, your voice quality, can impact on what people think of you. As a speech language pathologist, voice specialist, academic and researcher, I am impressed by the depth and scope of this book in considering the large number of elements that contribute to successful conversation. This is a great resource not only for those wanting to impress and shine in corporate or romantic encounters. It is also a wonderful resource for people from different cultures who lack confidence or feel unsure about the rules of interaction in a westernised culture. It encompasses much of the current information and common understanding of conversational etiquette in the twenty-first century. This book is a must read for all those who wish to empower themselves in their lives by connecting with others. --Cate Madill, PhD, BAppSc (Hons), BA(Hons), CPSP Voice Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist Cate Madill Voice and Speech
As a speech language pathologist who has been in the field for ten years, I am pleased to write a foreword to How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less. The art of conversation has been a strong interest of mine since I began my studies as a speech pathologist. In my second year of graduate school, I very quickly discovered how truly challenging it is to be an effective communicator. Learning about nonverbal communication and how individuals utilize language to influence others or to convey a certain message has fascinated me during my entire career. Participating in a conversation has been one of the problem areas I have seen and worked with in many children and adults. We have addressed areas such as greetings, initiation, and termination of a conversation, as well as non-verbal communication skills. As most know, first impressions are extremely important and Chris Gottschalk s How to Start and Make a Conversation shows readers the importance of interpreting body language, using that information to make a great first impression, adjusting one s own body language, and choosing appropriate topics to discuss. Gottschalk thoroughly explains why we, as humans, engage in communication. Abraham Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs and various sociological theories are expressed in an organized and concise manner. The theories and personality types described will help the reader understand unique needs for each individual type, and it will also help readers define themselves. How to Start and Make a Conversation provides detailed case studies of professionals and individuals who describe real-world accounts of struggles and successes in communication. The cases outline practical tips, including joining a conversation, overcoming common conversation barriers, and initiating conversation based on similar interests. Gottschalk provides strategies for unique situations that are challenging for many people, including speaking with someone who uses English as a second language. Gottschalk also includes an important chapter on Internet etiquette ( Netiquette ) and how to use information from online to help face-to-face communication. Social Web sites and online communication have become prevalent, and knowing how to properly act online and use this new information will benefit those hoping to enhance conversation and business networking skills. As a speech language pathologist, I found the information in this book to be extremely helpful. I believe it will be a great tool to help enhance anyone s personal and professional conversation skills! --Deanna Anderson, M.Ed., CCC/SLP
About the Author
M.Ed., CCC/SLP Speech Language Pathologist
Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful.What a big help!
By Shannon Devereaux Sanford
Growing up painfully shy I understand how intimidating starting a conversation can be. Any sort of public speaking, even to a small number of people, was torture for me, and I am not alone. In a poll discussed in this book, people choose public speaking as their number one fear while dying was number six. Wow! People would rather die than speak in public. Well, I can pretty much guarantee you that after reading this book that fear will have vanished. In this book you will come to understand that once you are armed with knowledge and insight into why speaking is so fearful, and also why it is so important, it will no longer be something to dread. Starting a conversation will be a welcome challenge. This book is about more than just starting a conversation; it is about understanding communication. It is also reassuring and insightful. Mr. Gottschalk explains the psychological need for communicating stating that, "Communication with other people is vital for mental, as well as physical health." He never makes the reader feel at fault for being shy; instead he provides incisive information and support that is needed to get over the limitations that keep many of us from carrying on a conversation. If you thought that with all the communication we now do via computer and electronic devices, that speaking is less important, think again. Face-to-face communication is still the most important way to communicate. And so much of this communication is non-verbal. It is communicated in body language and Mr. Gottschalk takes the time in this book to explain Body Language and Specifics of Body Language. What interesting and perceptive chapters they are!
To speak with confidence you will need to know Why Conversation Skills Are Important, the Barriers to Communication (including how to identify personality types), How to Start up a Conversation and Keep it Going, How to Leave a Conversation Gracefully and How to Exit a Difficult Conversation. He also explains in depth the difference between Conversations in the Workplace, Conversations and Friendships, Conversations Online and Romantic Conversations - and yes; some of us do cross the line. Once you read this book you will understand how to communicate effectively in all types of situations. I loved this book and for anyone who has trouble starting a conversation - or just wants to know more about the art of communication - this book is for you. I learned so much and felt so much more confident after reading this I just couldn't wait to go out and talk! Thanks Mr. Gottschalk. I think I have finally overcome my shyness.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.Come out of your shell!
By Heath Gordon
Conversation is a skill that, in this modern era, many of have lost. It can sometimes be easier to send e-mails or make friends on the Internet via Facebook or MySpace. However, when we spend more time doing this, we forget simple conversation skills. This can impact both our personal and professional lives. Gottschalk, citing scientific studies, tells us why these skills are important, and then teaches you how you can develop your skills so you can become an expert conversationalist.
There is more to conversation than being able to talk. Gottschalk shows both the verbal and nonverbal cues that are necessary to making and beginning conversation. We all know how hard it is to go up to someone at a party. Gottschalk teaches us to analyze the crowd to figure out which people would be the most receptive at a party. Then he goes on to teach you not only how to initiate that conversation, but to keep it interesting, and, if everything goes well, to turn that one conversation into a lasting friendship.
Conversation is important in personal development, but it is crucial to being successful in the business world. You need to be able to make conversation if you want to convince your boss you deserve a promotion or if you want to network at the next convention you attend.
What I liked about this book is how it breaks down every aspect of conversation. He introduces each topic, tells you how its important, and then shows you how you can incorporate it into every new potential conversation you run into. Not only that, but he gives examples of conversations showcasing these skills. If you use a new skill every time you strike it up with someone, then you will be an expert conversationalist in no time.
Interspersed through all these examples are interviews with people, who, for one reason or another, at one time were not good at conversing. However, they discuss how each new skill took their interpersonal skills to another level, often leading to great developments in their personal and professional life.
If you are looking for a book to teach you the lost skill conversation step-by-step, then I would definitely recommend "How To Start and Make a Conversation".
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.Good for refreshing your skills
By June Coan
"How to Start and Make a Conversation" is a great book for those who may lack self confidence or want to freshen up on their talking skills. The book gives details on how to start a conversation, hold the conversation, and how to get out of a bad conversation. It also delves into how body language plays a factor in communication, as well as what countries may consider body language differently than we do.
The book shows examples and uses case studies to demonstrate specific situations. For example, the book tells you how to differentiate between being nervous to just being someone who overpowers the conversation. The Myer-Briggs test shows that there are sixteen personality types, and even if two people are introverted, there are other qualities that within the test that can make them incompatible or personalities can conflict.
This book not only shows you how to start a conversation, but breaks it down to normal social settings, workplace, dating, and conferences for example. Each situation is different, plus you may be dealing with multiple people in one situation, but just one or two people in the next situation. It tells you how to digress from a conversation with a person that is boring without being rude, or how your body language can tell someone to back off. "How to Start and Make a Conversation" takes you through a journey that can improve your social speaking skills and make you feel confident in any situation by the time you are done reading it.
http://astore.amazon.com/amazon-book-books-20/detail/B003921Z6O
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