There is a difference between a phone call and a text message. A phone call usually implies that the other person is physically present on the other end. This makes it more difficult to keep the conversation interesting. If you want to have a good phone conversation, you have to put some effort into it. Below are some helpful tips to make the most out of your next phone conversation.
Have An Outline In Mind
If you want to have a successful phone conversation, you need to have an outline in mind. This will help keep the conversation organized and interesting. For example, if you are having a discussion about politics with a friend, you can use this outline to keep the conversation going:
- The purpose of the conversation is to learn more about politics.
- Step A: We will begin by discussing your views on the 2016 presidential election.
- Step B: After we have reviewed your views on the election, we will move on to discuss the economy and jobs.
This is just a simple example. You can use an outline like this for almost any type of phone conversation to make it more interesting and engaging.
Practice Before The Conversation
If you want to have a good phone conversation, you need to practice. This means that before the actual phone conversation takes place, you should set aside some time to discuss the topic on the phone. This will allow you to refine your thoughts and ideas, and will make the conversation more interesting. In the example below, the speaker is practicing before the call:
If you want to improve your performance on the phone, you need to focus on your speaking style as well as the content you are imparting. There are numerous books available that teach you how to speak and engage with a caller on the phone. You can also get help from a professional phone trainer, who can help you find the right tone and speaking patterns for your industry.
Be Selective Of The Calls You Make
After you have refined your speaking habits, you can start making better decisions about which calls to make. You should only call your friends and family when you want to have a good discussion. Professional contacts, clients, and business contacts are also good candidates for phone calls. However, there are certain subjects that you should avoid. These include religious discussions, political discussions, and controversial topics. This will help keep your conversation civil and on-topic. In the example below, the speaker is trying to decide whether or not to call a friend:
If you want to have a successful phone conversation, be selective of the calls you make. Refine your topics of conversation and learn how to keep them on-topic. This will help make the conversation more interesting and educational for both of you.
Anticipate Events That Might Happen
If you want to make the conversation more interesting, you can try to anticipate events that might happen. This might sound like a stretch, but you can do this by asking open-ended questions. Questions like “What do you think will happen in the next few months?” or “What impact do you think the election of Trump is going to have on your life?” These types of questions give the person you are talking with the opportunity to connect the dots and see the threads that run throughout your conversation. These are all parts of a well-done phone conversation, and we have covered some tricks to make the most out of your next phone call.