The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- And Leave a Positive Impression!

In this guide to social success, now revised for the modern era, communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk in any situation. Small talk is more than just chitchat; it’s a valuable tool to help you climb the corporate ladder, widen your business and social circles, and boost your self-confidence. With practical advice and simple conversation ＂cheat sheets,＂ this book offers easy-to-learn techniques that will allow you to feel comfortable in any type of social situation--from a video meeting to a first date to a cocktail party where you don’t know a soul. Debra Fine will show you how to learn to connect with others regardless of the occasion, event, or situation, come across as composed and self-assured when entertaining, avoid awkward silences and ＂foot in mouth＂ disease, convey warmth and enthusiasm so that other people feel good about being near you, and make a positive, lasting impression from the minute you say hello.

Bestselling author, keynote speaker and communication expert Debra Fine began her career as an engineer, an occupation that allowed her to maintain her natural shyness and avoid situations that required social and personal interactions. Fine is the author of the bestselling book The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills--and Leave a Positive Impression and The Fine Art of the Big Talk How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work, both translated and published in 20+ countries around the world, as well as Beyond Texting: The Fine Art of Face-To-Face Communication for Teenagers. Fine is a 20+ year member of the National Speakers Association presenting her programs to hundreds of audiences around the world that include Cisco Systems, Google, University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business, Texas Association of School Boards, Credit Suisse, Spectra Energy, General Electric, COMERICA Banks, Alaska Forum on the Environment, Johns Manville, and Proctor and Gamble. Her recent media appearances include The Today Show, The Early Show, NPR Morning Edition, Fox Business News and CNN. Fine is a regular contributor to Huffington Post.