Striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know can be easy enough. You may start off with a compliment like, “Oh, I love your sweater!” or you could comment on the weather. If you’re at an event (like The PPAI Expo that kicks off today), you might ask the other person where they traveled from or what they thought of the speaker.

But how do you keep the dialogue going? That can be the tricky part. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share some tips from Tristen Taylor, a contributor to the HubSpot blog, on ways you can keep the conversation going when you’re chatting with someone new.

1. Look for common ground. It’s never a good idea to jump into the sale when you first meet someone. Instead, start a conversation with a point of relatability. Taylor says this might be sports, movies, local attractions, or hobbies. Remember to keep small talk light by avoiding any intrusive or personal questions.

2. Ask open-ended questions. Doing so can lead to productive conversations, Taylor says. Try to limit your “yes” or “no” questions to keep the conversation going. As you’re chatting, you could say things like, “Tell me more about …” or “What was your reason for …”

3. Sprinkle in compliments. When you can hold a conversation with complimentary language throughout, the person on the receiving end will be much more inclined to hear more from you, Taylor says. Try saying something like, “Meeting interesting people like you is one of my favorite parts of the job” or “It’s great you’ve done so much research. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”

4. Listen attentively. This seems like common sense, but listening well is important to keep the dialogue going. Taylor says every person you meet has unique problems, circumstances and needs, and hearing them out allows you to understand and capitalize on those factors.

5. Use the right body language. When you want to continue the conversation with someone, face the person and maintain a healthy amount of eye contact. Don’t keep checking your phone or glancing around the room. Give them the attention you would want in return so they know their words are valued, Taylor says.

6. Learn to talk through an objection to a solution. When speaking to a potential customer, Taylor says you can often tell when they have reservations about your product or service. It's your responsibility to let them know their options.

Meeting new people can lead to new opportunities. When you’re chatting with potential clients, vendors or suppliers, consider the points above to move past awkward pauses and have the most productive conversations.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Tristen Taylor is a contributor to the HubSpot blog.