I used to suck at holding a conversation, but I seem to be doing pretty well now. Here are some things I learned that helped me improve and I am open to hear your opinions. 1. Talk less about yourself and your opinions, focus more on them and what they say. Try not giving an opinion unless needed or asked for. You do however want to be responsive about what they are saying, ask questions about things they say and make them talk more about it. 2. avoid anything controversial unless they themselves bring it up. 3. make eye contact and show confidence. 4. stay true to your beliefs without rambling or saying more than needed. 5. If the conversation gets quite, make small talk about life, family, them, anything really.
I learned that people like talking about themselves a lot so it is very important to let them do that I feel.
That's a way to do it yup, another way is to be comfortable with silence. Not everybody can do it and it shows confidence, the rare kind.
That is true. If I feel like I am done talking I will just be silent. This creates a tension leading them to want to talk to you more in order to break the silence.