Master conversationalists know when to speak and when to remain silent. They understand that people have a limited amount of knowledge about a topic, but they never add random facts that they don't have time to research. They apply the Three Book Rule, which states that if you read three books on a subject, you'll have more knowledge than 99% of the population.
Practice: Practice your conversational skills with others. Remember that half of effective communication is listening. So make an effort to focus on listening and speaking clearly. It will go a long way toward improving your relationships. And remember, practicing makes perfect! Once you've mastered the art of conversational skills, you'll be better equipped to engage others in conversations with confidence.
Talk about what interests you. No one wants to hear about your boring personal story, so learn about something people care about. Try learning about recent best sellers or new technologies. Also try to be an expert on the current state of the world. This way, you'll have more topics to talk about than if you only knew the basics about the topic.
Remember that people enjoy talking with people who make them feel good. People will smile when they are talking to you, listen to what you have to say, and plan for future events with you. As you practice your conversation skills, you'll find that people want to talk with you.
Be aware of your tone and body language. If you're nervous and slack, you'll come across as unfriendly or self-absorbed. While your intention may be the right one, the person you're talking to may feel differently. Avoid rushing into personal subjects without building trust.
If you're constantly dominating the conversation, it may be due to nervousness or over-involvement. Try replaying conversations in your head to see if you have an ability to pause and let the other person have their say. Look for points where the other person says something to which you agree or disagree. If you notice that you're ignoring their point of view, you should pause and offer an alternative point of view.