Effortless Small Talk: Learn How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere...Even If You're Painfully Shy

A quick read covering all the salient points:- Why "small" talk isn't really so small,- Why it's truly important for living well and for succeding with any creative project, cause-based initiative or money-making enterprise.- Specific, practical steps you can take to overcome many of the obstacles that can hold you back.Includes short, but actionable steps to take for the top 8 things that make small talk work:1. Getting your anxiety and fear under control.2. Recognizing who may be willing to talk.3. Starting a conversation4. Keeping it going.5. Ending it smoothly.6. Making a great first impression, including your physical appearance.7. How to be approachable but avoid looking like a creep.8. Following up with the relationships you'd like to continue.One, unsolicited, tip from me about physical appearance:In my experience, it's usually better to "dress up" in relationship to the "dress code" of those you are engaging. It's important to guage carefully how far "up." In every day business, for example, if you are meeting with people whose dress code is business casual, try wearing an average style suit or sports jacket and tie. On the other hand, avoid wearing a tuxedo to a pool party, unless you're trying to get thrown in the pool (a metaphor for drawing a lot of negative attention to yourself). By dressing slightly more formally than those with whom you are meeting or networking, you demonstrate a certain degree of respect that seems to be appreciated by many people.

Maybe I was expecting too much for the price, but this book was very basic...lots of common sense stuff. Does not elaborate on any one topic with much detail. When I was finished, I felt like I had heard a pep talk from a close friend. That being said, this will be a good book for my ten year old daughter to read.Although I was not impressed with the content, I will say that the author definitely presented the material in a very understandable way and had a pleasant tone throughout the book.

I give this 4.5 stars. It's simple information, but it's information I needed someone to tell me.The biggest thing I got out of this book was a change of perspective. I was someone who DREADED small talk, I thought it was pointless. Plus, all it seemed to do was make me uncomfortable. It was a pretty big part of my social anxiety. However, Andy mentions how small talk is necessary in order to build a base for a conversation so you can then go deeper. That made so much sense to me. Along with his other useful tips, I feel much more comfortable and open when I'm around people.I appreciated the quick and easy read. Thanks, Andy!

Probably better than a free blog - but only marginally. The book is all of 40 pages - with about 15 of them being why you should read the book. There are some useful tips, and it need not be said that this is a very very quick read. It will help if you are interested in the subject, but you can do much better at the price point.

This book explains how to start conversations (I am not ready for that yet), but it also explains how to be more open for people to want to start a conversation with you! Plus topics and ways to keep a conversation going and most importantly how to end a conversation with out awkwardness. Looking forward to using the techniques at a function I have to attend next week.

A slender, focused book filled with practical suggestions and useful questions. Although designed primarily for folks who feel shy or sometimes awkward in social situations, this book seems very useful for international students and English language learners wanting to feel more comfortable in the United States.Although I'm a big fan of the book and have recommended it to several friends and university students, the title and subtitle seem somewhat inaccurate and make some overly bold claims. Many of the exercises are simply impossible for a shy, let alone "painfully shy" person, to actually use. Somehow I suspect the author is a natural extrovert and seems to underestimate the emotional barriers to starting conversations and/or engaging in savvy small talk. The book does, however, provide many helpful tips and savvy suggestions. Many readers appreciate the short stories and checklists. I just wish the book had a different, less flamboyant title.

I bought this thinking I was going to get a book. This is more like a pamphlet. It ended up being around roughly 28 pages long. Although some of what the author wrote was good, I feel like I very much overpayed for this information. For ten bucks, I should have gotten a lot more info or insight than what I got. Wished I would have spent my ten bucks on an actual book, rather than this. Oh well I guess

I have a hard time seeing books through as they can have hundreds of pages and long chapters to commit to. This book is great - it’s broken down into easy to read sections and offers good information and strategies to try on your own to improve your small talk skills.

This should be listed as a pamphlet. I read the "book" in just over an hour. I was hoping for much more co tent. Not impressed.

Easy to read and understand, practical, to the point, not filled with unimportant sentences. I will practice the advices every day.

This book is common sense with a few interesting techniques as well.