The fear of small talk is a common objection for those who shy away from networking. But ice-breakers can be yours for the asking.
One of the most important aspects of networking is the small talk that occurs at networking functions. These ice-breaking conversations are important because they are the first opportunities to identify and begin to grow connections with other people, connections that may lead to business referrals in both the short and long term.
The fear of small talk is a common objection of those who shy away from networking. Many people simply dread the thought of having to carry on conversations with people they don’t know. It’s easy to label these people as shy, but only a small minority of people are too shy to enjoy talking with others. Most people aren’t afraid to talk, they are just intimidated by the task of finding something to talk about.
For this reason, it’s important for business owners to stay on top of pop culture and current events. The latest issues and stories in the news are great ways to break the ice and help you find common ground with a person you may never have met before and with whom you may not have much in common.
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