35 Conversation Starters to Deepen Your Network

By Scott Hepburn | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

The #1 challenge for social networking newbies isn’t creating a profile. It’s not learning the mechanics of Twitter. It’s relating to people.

The power of social networking comes from conversing with people, not following them. But getting to know someone can be daunting (even to me!). We humans have a hard time being human.

Here are 35 questions to help you spur conversation, deepen connections, and grow your network:

  1. How is business?
  2. What interesting projects are you working on?
  3. Are there any challenges you’re seeking solutions to?
  4. What blogs do you read?
  5. Who’s the most helpful person you’ve met via social networking?
  6. Is there anybody in my network you’d like to meet?
  7. What are your goals for the next few months?
  8. What do you enjoy most about what you do?
  9. Can you recommend any resources on ____________?
  10. Are you planning to attend any events where we might meet in person?
  11. Did you read that article/post by _____________? What did you think?
  12. Which social networking tools have been most valuable to you?
  13. What do you think is the biggest change your business faces in the coming years?
  14. What did you hope to accomplish this year that you didn’t get around to?
  15. Who do you look to for wisdom?
  16. Would you mind introducing me to _____________?
  17. How are things going with that project you’re working on?
  18. I’m friends with _____________ … would you like me to introduce you?
  19. Have you considered teaching others how to do what you do?
  20. Would you be interested in having me write a guest post on your blog, or vice versa?
  21. Do you have specific goals for your use of social media?
  22. Where’s the best place to get BBQ in this town?!
  23. Do others in your company use social networking and social media, too?
  24. What’s the toughest part of your business?
  25. What questions are YOU seeking answers to?
  26. How has your business changed over the past year?
  27. How is technology changing the way you do business?
  28. Is there something you want to learn more about?
  29. Can I help you with anything?
  30. How do you define success?
  31. What’s the biggest missing piece for you right now?
  32. What was the most important thing you did this year?
  33. What gets you fired up?
  34. What ticks you off?
  35. Wanna grab a beer?

Did you notice how none of those questions said “Would you like to buy something from me?”

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically each day to your feed reader.

Tags:
Topics: Social Media
  • You may be a social media expert, which I am not, but most of these 35 questions are an interrogation, not a conversation starter.
    Question nos. 16 and 22 are cool. People always like to be asked to help - it makes them feel good.
  • Every individual will have their own unique response to these questions. The trick, of course, is to not come across aggressive, as you say. I hope folks will see these questions as idea-generators...and not try to ask all 35!
blog comments powered by Disqus