5 Tips On How to Break The Ice and Get Started With Conversations

When you're at a networking event or meeting, it can be nerve-wracking to approach an important person, especially if you've never spoken to them before. Maybe they want to share something with you, but you're unsure how to start the conversation.?

I will share five tips for breaking the ice and starting conversations. These tips can be game-changers for your career and life, so keep reading!

Tip #1: Prepare In Advance?

If you know that an important event is coming up, take the time to prepare ahead. Research the person you want to talk to and think about the two or three key points you want to discuss.?

Practice introducing yourself, leaving a mark with them, and following up. You should prepare well in advance for all these things you want to tell them because you already know the event is about to happen and the person is about to come.?

Also, work on your elevator pitch—something short and impactful that you can deliver in about 30 seconds. Being well-prepared will make you feel more confident and ready to engage when the moment comes.

Tip #2: Research the Person

Before the event, gather as much information as you can about the person or leader you want to speak to. You should know about the leader. In the last all-hands meeting, in the previous ‘town hall’ meeting, what was he saying? What are the themes he generally speaks about? What are the topics he is currently covering? What are the things he is talking about?

Knowing these details can give you a great starting point for your conversation. The conversation flows much easier when you start talking about something they’re passionate about.

Tip #3: Find Common Interests

If you can learn about the person's hobbies or interests, use that as a conversation starter. Talking about something they enjoy can make the conversation feel more personal and relaxed.?

If you know about their hobbies, leaders generally have a lot of information about the organisation. So, if you know about their hobbies, you can start a very good starting point to anchor your conversation. Then, the discussion gets into a very personalised way of communication, and after that, you become very easy.?

Your point is to be in front of you, so try hard. Find out what hobbies and interests this person has, and talk about those hobbies and interests to anchor your conversation to a more personalised space.

Tip #4: Broaden Your Knowledge

One reason conversations might not take off is that we lack enough information to keep them going. To avoid this, make it a habit to read, learn, and explore new topics. The more you know, the more you have to talk about.?

Don't make it as if you are forfeiting yourself into it, but make it a habit to learn new things, know about new things, and know more about various things to start an interesting conversation. You will notice that as you widen your knowledge base, the interest to talk will be automatically generated, and you will see how easily you are conversational in your style and get initiated into conversations. So you will yourself see that.

Tip #5: Push Yourself to Start the Conversation

Remember, no one will socialise for you. It's up to you to take the first step. Once you’ve prepared and researched, push yourself to initiate the conversation. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move—take responsibility and start talking. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. After a few successful attempts, breaking the ice will feel much more natural.

One more thing I will tell you: if you have pushed two or three times and you have those conversations with these leaders or people that you want to talk to three or four times, it becomes very easy after that.?

It gets very easy for you, and naturally, you come, and you will not be able to see the ice breaking. You will see that you can see the inserts, and you will be able to start those small conversations and get started with your conversations and dialogues with the people you want.

Final Thoughts: Keep Practicing

Starting conversations can be intimidating at first, but with practice, it gets easier. The more you push yourself to engage with people, the more comfortable you'll become. Soon, you’ll find that starting conversations and connecting with others is no longer a challenge but something you do with ease.

I hope you found these tips helpful! If you enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more practical advice. If there’s a specific topic you’d like me to cover, let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and until next time!