The below list is a brief sneak peak into what The Networking Note Cards System has to offer. The System takes every step of a conversation and breaks it down for you to easily manipulate it to fit your needs in a conversation.

Below is a synopsis of the Small Talk chapter.

"Here take my talk bubble, I want you to have it."

If possible, before beginning small talk, try and get an introduction from someone you know who knows many of the people at the social gathering you will be attending otherwise known as a host. This makes all of your following steps of your conversation seem to flow a little bit smoother and while taking the edge off of any awkwardness.

Good things to say to your host or friend: “So who here is interesting? You know I’m interested in OR looking for…, do you happen to know anyone here who you think I should talk to who shares these interests?”

A few things to remember when entering into small talk:

1) Once the ice is broken it’s time to exude one of the most attractive traits known in society. Confidence. Confidence will scale you up the corporate and social ladders faster than any other cited characteristic.

Show off confidence whether you think you have it or not by doing and saying this: “Hi, I’m (your name) Nice to meet you.” Extend your hand first to shake theirs.

2) They will more often than not say the typical response “Hi, I’m (Name to remember), nice to meet you as well.” Your goal will be to use their name at least two or three times while you’re talking to them. Repeat it back to them right after they tell you their name. This is so you actually remember it. “So (Name to remember), that’s a really nice perfume you are wearing.”

Dropping a comment about something they are wearing or how they smell (be positive) is usually a good retort to them telling you their name. 

3. Maintain that eye contact. There is nothing worse than when I get into a conversation with someone and I see their eyes darting around me like they are a frog eyeing up their next meal, or worse, when they completely shift their head so they can’t even fake like they are listening to me. 

Much of what I read online about eye contact involves maintaining only when the other person is talking to you. This is important and a must. The secret is to hold the eye contact when you speak. This is difficult because many of us don’t do it.  

4. After dropping a compliment about something they are wearing or about their pleasant smell, listen to what they say about it and find key words they use to talk about it and elaborate on them.  (This is otherwise known as Conversation Slinging and is covered in much greater detail in The Networking Note Cards System)

They say: “Thanks, my cousin got me these earrings.” Keyword: Cousin. You say: “Ah, they have some good taste. How big is your family?” And you’re into another small talk conversation about their family.

They say: “Thanks but I’m not wearing any cologne.” Keyword: Cologne. You say: “Hmm. Must have been the guy next to you. You know what kind of cologne smells very good? Curve. What kind of cologne do you wear?” This is a process called Conversation Slinging.

So If you can: show confidence by smiling and shaking their hand first, remembering their name, maintaining eye contact when you speak, and Conversation Slinging you will be an excellent small talker.