You have an important phone call to make, but you're not sure what to say. There is a way to prepare yourself so that everything goes smoothly and the other person is happy to have received your call. Read the tips below.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: What To Do
Step 1. Make a plan
Think about the questions to ask your interlocutor before calling him. To begin with, ask some questions about contingent aspects to break the ice, for example "How was your day?". Worst case scenario, you can talk about the weather, but don't let the conversation get stuck on that point.
Step 2. Push yourself to common ground
Before calling someone for the first time, find a topic that arouses interest in both of you. Consider how you met or why you called him. For example, "How long have you been using the dating site?" or "Well, I see you like motorcycles, right?".
Step 3. Ask open questions
Keep the conversation going and entertain the other person with questions like "What is your favorite thing about your new job?" or "What area of the city would you prefer to live in?".
Step 4. Listen dynamically
- Use some "ah, yes!" or "perfect!" when you listen.
- Repeat what the interlocutor says from time to time, so that he knows that you are listening carefully.
Step 5. Take turns
During the conversation, try to offer some personal information about yourself. In this way, you will relax the interlocutor, allowing him to open up in turn.
Step 6. Be patient
Give the other person time to answer your questions. He will be able to give you honest answers if he senses that you are interested in what he is saying and that you are not rushing him to respond.
Step 7. Plan for some silence
Usually, after about twenty minutes of conversation, awkward silences arise. Think ahead of what you will be able to say when they occur, so that you don't feel uncomfortable.
Step 8. Use a positive approach
Consider how the other person may feel while you speak. How he feels once the conversation is over will determine whether he still intends to talk to you, returning a call from him.
Step 9. End the call
When it is time to close, be sure to tell the interlocutor that you enjoyed talking with him and that you will wait to hear from him again in the near future. It is necessary to tell him that you appreciate the time he has given you, so don't neglect to be expansive on this point.
Part 2 of 2: Things to Avoid
Step 1. Avoid talking about yourself for too long
It is good to also give the other person a way to express themselves. Conversation should be a give and take.
Step 2. Avoid chewing on the phone
Take chewing gum or anything else out of your mouth. Using your mouth to do things that do not concern the conversation will give the interlocutor the impression that you are disinterested and that you prefer to devote yourself to something else.
Step 3. Avoid being critical
If you criticize those on the other side, you risk raising a barrier between you. Nobody turns to someone else for criticism, so act constructively. If you don't have anything nice to say, just don't talk or resort to some "Sure, I see!"
Step 4. Avoid offering unsolicited advice
Do not try to solve the other person's problems and difficulties. Just give her room to let off steam, unless she asks for your opinion.
Step 5. Avoid using explicit language or making sexual innuendo
Swearing and sex must be kept completely out of the telephone conversation, until the other party introduces such arguments. It is best to maintain clean communication from the very beginning. Let the interlocutor decide the tenor of the conversation.
