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How can I get more improved on my communication skills #fyp #foryoupage?
I know how to communicate but trying to get better. What other communication skills or conversation starters should I start with saying. And how can I improvise.
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11 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
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Paul’s Answer
Hi Julius:
In answering this particular question I always emphasize that improving communication skills requires dedicated, deliberate practice across both verbal and written formats. Keeping this in mind, I suggest utilizing some core communications fundamentals, on the following verbal and written strategies:
1. Speak Professionally Through Rehearsal
• Read Poetry Aloud: When I initially had problems speaking in public, I practiced reading intricate poetry like Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" out loud. Stumbling initially is normal, but repeating the process builds verbal fluency. Actor James Earl Jones once stated that using this technique, is how he learned to communicate effectively, and if you listen to audio tapes of his readings, it becomes obvious.
• Rehearse and Repeat: Public speaking and communications skills are similar to acting, and it is a well known fact that Hollywood professionals achieve polished results on screen only because they rehearse lines many times over. Constant repetition helps you master articulate vocalization and communication skills.
• Lead with Humanity: In the era of AI, I can state that human enthusiasm, industriousness, and genuine vocal expression are vital to inspiring and motivating people in ways technology cannot replicate.
2. Strengthen Written Communication
• Commit to "Just Writing": I emphasize that there are no shortcuts to becoming a good writer. Strong writing is highly valuable for professional business communication, but it can only be achieved through continuous practice and discipline.
• Be an Avid Reader: All great writers are dedicated readers. Reading exposes you to a diverse range of formatting, styles, and editing layouts.
• Self-Edit with Fresh Eyes: I always recommend reviewing your own work thoroughly for both content substance and mechanical accuracy like grammar and punctuation. I also suggest stepping away from your text for at least a day to act as your own "fresh set of eyes".
• Utilize an Outside Editor: Consider the importance of sharing early drafts with a trusted editor. Even skilled communicators benefit from outside perspectives to catch blind spots.
3. Connect as a Presenter or Educator
• Prioritize Empathy and Approachability: When communicating to an audience or acting as a lecturer, I advise shifting focus towards creating an inclusive, passionate, and welcoming environment.
• Hold Attention with Content Mastery: Effective communication relies heavily on knowing your material completely, which allows you to seamlessly adapt your delivery methods to keep your audience engaged.
I hope some of these suggestions have been helpful for you. Best of luck in achieving your future goals.
In answering this particular question I always emphasize that improving communication skills requires dedicated, deliberate practice across both verbal and written formats. Keeping this in mind, I suggest utilizing some core communications fundamentals, on the following verbal and written strategies:
1. Speak Professionally Through Rehearsal
• Read Poetry Aloud: When I initially had problems speaking in public, I practiced reading intricate poetry like Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" out loud. Stumbling initially is normal, but repeating the process builds verbal fluency. Actor James Earl Jones once stated that using this technique, is how he learned to communicate effectively, and if you listen to audio tapes of his readings, it becomes obvious.
• Rehearse and Repeat: Public speaking and communications skills are similar to acting, and it is a well known fact that Hollywood professionals achieve polished results on screen only because they rehearse lines many times over. Constant repetition helps you master articulate vocalization and communication skills.
• Lead with Humanity: In the era of AI, I can state that human enthusiasm, industriousness, and genuine vocal expression are vital to inspiring and motivating people in ways technology cannot replicate.
2. Strengthen Written Communication
• Commit to "Just Writing": I emphasize that there are no shortcuts to becoming a good writer. Strong writing is highly valuable for professional business communication, but it can only be achieved through continuous practice and discipline.
• Be an Avid Reader: All great writers are dedicated readers. Reading exposes you to a diverse range of formatting, styles, and editing layouts.
• Self-Edit with Fresh Eyes: I always recommend reviewing your own work thoroughly for both content substance and mechanical accuracy like grammar and punctuation. I also suggest stepping away from your text for at least a day to act as your own "fresh set of eyes".
• Utilize an Outside Editor: Consider the importance of sharing early drafts with a trusted editor. Even skilled communicators benefit from outside perspectives to catch blind spots.
3. Connect as a Presenter or Educator
• Prioritize Empathy and Approachability: When communicating to an audience or acting as a lecturer, I advise shifting focus towards creating an inclusive, passionate, and welcoming environment.
• Hold Attention with Content Mastery: Effective communication relies heavily on knowing your material completely, which allows you to seamlessly adapt your delivery methods to keep your audience engaged.
I hope some of these suggestions have been helpful for you. Best of luck in achieving your future goals.
Updated
Marzia’s Answer
Hey Julius!
Wanting to level up your communication skills is awesome. Great communicators are made through practice! Here is a super short game plan:
1. Better Conversation Starters- I personally love an observant compliment (don’t stalk then ofcourse but be observant so you’re compliments can be genuine!) An example would be,
"Hey, love your [shirt / shoes / sticker]—where’d you get it?"
or, given appropriate situation, "Quick question: what’s your favorite song or show right now?"
A more casual one
"How’s your day going? Anything fun planned for the weekend?"
2. How to Improvise on the Spot
Pass the Ball: Always end your answer with a question back to them so the conversation keeps moving!
Listen for Keyword Hooks: Pick one word they said and ask about it. (If they say "practice was crazy," ask "Oh cool, what position do you play?")
*** Some tips:
•Nod and smile: Showing you're listening is half the battle.Sometimes to get comfortable in a conversation people simply also just appreciate someone who is listening to them- a good ear can also help you know what questions to follow up with so the conversation can keep naturally flowing!
• Match their energy: Vibe with how fast or chill they are talking.
Touched on this already but same as listening matters! Don’t at all fear quiet moments or feel the need to fill the silence : Brief pauses are totally normal—just stay relaxed if you start over thinking take a deep breath to ground yourself and get yourself back to present listening! It’ll help you avoid questions too that can cut a conversation short and instead encourage ones that last! You got this!
Keep practicing with friends and classmates. You'll be a pro in no time!
Wanting to level up your communication skills is awesome. Great communicators are made through practice! Here is a super short game plan:
1. Better Conversation Starters- I personally love an observant compliment (don’t stalk then ofcourse but be observant so you’re compliments can be genuine!) An example would be,
"Hey, love your [shirt / shoes / sticker]—where’d you get it?"
or, given appropriate situation, "Quick question: what’s your favorite song or show right now?"
A more casual one
"How’s your day going? Anything fun planned for the weekend?"
2. How to Improvise on the Spot
Pass the Ball: Always end your answer with a question back to them so the conversation keeps moving!
Listen for Keyword Hooks: Pick one word they said and ask about it. (If they say "practice was crazy," ask "Oh cool, what position do you play?")
*** Some tips:
•Nod and smile: Showing you're listening is half the battle.Sometimes to get comfortable in a conversation people simply also just appreciate someone who is listening to them- a good ear can also help you know what questions to follow up with so the conversation can keep naturally flowing!
• Match their energy: Vibe with how fast or chill they are talking.
Touched on this already but same as listening matters! Don’t at all fear quiet moments or feel the need to fill the silence : Brief pauses are totally normal—just stay relaxed if you start over thinking take a deep breath to ground yourself and get yourself back to present listening! It’ll help you avoid questions too that can cut a conversation short and instead encourage ones that last! You got this!
Keep practicing with friends and classmates. You'll be a pro in no time!
Updated
Lorna’s Answer
Talking to other people and having outside feedback is ideal, but another good way to practice your speaking is to record yourself talking and play it back to see for yourself what you actually sound like. Do this repeatedly, especially with questions that you expect to be asked often like the famed 'elevator pitch' of yourself. It is a great way to practice and refine your answers with immediate feedback that can be done alone anytime, similar to dancers practicing in front of a mirror.
Another thing that is good to keep in mind is how you communicate the same information can and sometimes should change based on who you are talking to. The time you have to talk, the background knowledge of the other person/people, and/or what they actually need to know can all change how you answer a question or communicate something. For example, an 'elevator pitch' is meant to be a very short but informative introduction of yourself that you could feasibly give during a short elevator ride with someone. This is a short set timeframe so the length of the answer is the same, but depending on who the other person is your 'pitch' would probably change. Like a new coworker vs. a neighbor. The first would probably focus more on your job and what your specific job responsibilities are, and the other might indeed include what you do for work as a general job title but is just as likely to veer towards hobbies, pets, family etc. Likewise, the same person would give a very different 'pitch' if they were a guest speaker with an hour-long slot, because there is more time. These examples are all based on communicating who you are, but they are done in different contexts to different people which leads to different information being prioritized.
Another thing that is good to keep in mind is how you communicate the same information can and sometimes should change based on who you are talking to. The time you have to talk, the background knowledge of the other person/people, and/or what they actually need to know can all change how you answer a question or communicate something. For example, an 'elevator pitch' is meant to be a very short but informative introduction of yourself that you could feasibly give during a short elevator ride with someone. This is a short set timeframe so the length of the answer is the same, but depending on who the other person is your 'pitch' would probably change. Like a new coworker vs. a neighbor. The first would probably focus more on your job and what your specific job responsibilities are, and the other might indeed include what you do for work as a general job title but is just as likely to veer towards hobbies, pets, family etc. Likewise, the same person would give a very different 'pitch' if they were a guest speaker with an hour-long slot, because there is more time. These examples are all based on communicating who you are, but they are done in different contexts to different people which leads to different information being prioritized.
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Honestly, communication is one of those things that gets better with practice. The more you talk to different people, work with others, and put yourself in new situations, the more comfortable and confident you'll become.
One thing I've learned is that good communication isn't about talking the most. It's about listening well, understanding what the other person is saying, and being able to explain your own thoughts clearly.
If you want to improve in a more structured way, try reading more, writing more, and paying attention to people who communicate really well. Notice how they explain ideas, handle disagreements, and keep conversations moving naturally.
It can also help to take opportunities to speak up in meetings, group projects, clubs, or any situation where you're sharing ideas with others. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but that's usually where the growth happens.
Don't worry too much about being perfect. Everyone has awkward conversations and moments where they don't express themselves the way they wanted to. That's normal.
In my experience, the best communicators aren't the loudest people in the room. They're usually the people who listen, stay curious, and make others feel heard. The rest tends to come with time and practice.
One thing I've learned is that good communication isn't about talking the most. It's about listening well, understanding what the other person is saying, and being able to explain your own thoughts clearly.
If you want to improve in a more structured way, try reading more, writing more, and paying attention to people who communicate really well. Notice how they explain ideas, handle disagreements, and keep conversations moving naturally.
It can also help to take opportunities to speak up in meetings, group projects, clubs, or any situation where you're sharing ideas with others. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but that's usually where the growth happens.
Don't worry too much about being perfect. Everyone has awkward conversations and moments where they don't express themselves the way they wanted to. That's normal.
In my experience, the best communicators aren't the loudest people in the room. They're usually the people who listen, stay curious, and make others feel heard. The rest tends to come with time and practice.
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Julius! The good news is that communication is a skill, which means it can improve a lot with practice. One thing that can help is shifting your focus from trying to think of the “perfect” thing to say to becoming genuinely curious about the other person.
A simple way to start conversations is to use what is already around you. You can ask about something you both have in common, such as a class, an event, work, music, sports, or something happening around you. Questions like “How did you get interested in that?” or “What do you like most about it?” usually give the other person more room to respond than questions that can be answered with just yes or no.
Another important skill is active listening. Instead of using the time while someone is talking to prepare your next sentence, really listen to what they say and use part of their answer to continue the conversation. For example, if someone tells you they started playing basketball last year, you already have several things you could naturally ask about. This makes conversations feel less like an interview and more spontaneous.
If you want to become better at improvising, practice in small, low-pressure situations. Talk to classmates, ask someone a question before class, make brief conversation with people you regularly see, or challenge yourself to start one new conversation. You may have some awkward moments, and that’s completely normal. You learn communication by communicating.
Also remember that being a good communicator doesn’t mean being the person who talks the most. Being able to listen, show interest, ask thoughtful questions, notice how the other person responds, and give them space to speak are communication skills too. With practice, you’ll start thinking less about what you’re “supposed” to say and conversations will become much more natural. Good luck!
A simple way to start conversations is to use what is already around you. You can ask about something you both have in common, such as a class, an event, work, music, sports, or something happening around you. Questions like “How did you get interested in that?” or “What do you like most about it?” usually give the other person more room to respond than questions that can be answered with just yes or no.
Another important skill is active listening. Instead of using the time while someone is talking to prepare your next sentence, really listen to what they say and use part of their answer to continue the conversation. For example, if someone tells you they started playing basketball last year, you already have several things you could naturally ask about. This makes conversations feel less like an interview and more spontaneous.
If you want to become better at improvising, practice in small, low-pressure situations. Talk to classmates, ask someone a question before class, make brief conversation with people you regularly see, or challenge yourself to start one new conversation. You may have some awkward moments, and that’s completely normal. You learn communication by communicating.
Also remember that being a good communicator doesn’t mean being the person who talks the most. Being able to listen, show interest, ask thoughtful questions, notice how the other person responds, and give them space to speak are communication skills too. With practice, you’ll start thinking less about what you’re “supposed” to say and conversations will become much more natural. Good luck!
Updated
Ankita’s Answer
I think one of the most practical ways to improve communication is to focus less on finding the “perfect” thing to say and more on being genuinely curious about the other person.
A few things that have helped me:
Ask open-ended questions instead of questions that end with a simple yes or no. For example, “What have you been working on lately?” or “What got you interested in that?”
Practice active listening. Instead of thinking about your next response while someone is speaking, listen for details you can use to naturally continue the conversation.
Ask follow-up questions based on what they just said. This makes the conversation feel more genuine rather than like a list of prepared questions.
Share your own experiences too. Good communication should feel like an exchange, not an interview.
Pay attention to tone, body language, eye contact, and speaking pace. Sometimes how we communicate matters just as much as the words we use.
Most importantly, practice regularly. Even small conversations with colleagues, friends, or new people help build confidence and make improvising easier over time.
A simple approach I try to remember is: Ask → Listen → Relate → Follow up.
The goal isn’t to become someone who always knows the right thing to say—it’s to become someone who can listen, adapt, and make the other person feel comfortable contributing to the conversation.
A few things that have helped me:
Ask open-ended questions instead of questions that end with a simple yes or no. For example, “What have you been working on lately?” or “What got you interested in that?”
Practice active listening. Instead of thinking about your next response while someone is speaking, listen for details you can use to naturally continue the conversation.
Ask follow-up questions based on what they just said. This makes the conversation feel more genuine rather than like a list of prepared questions.
Share your own experiences too. Good communication should feel like an exchange, not an interview.
Pay attention to tone, body language, eye contact, and speaking pace. Sometimes how we communicate matters just as much as the words we use.
Most importantly, practice regularly. Even small conversations with colleagues, friends, or new people help build confidence and make improvising easier over time.
A simple approach I try to remember is: Ask → Listen → Relate → Follow up.
The goal isn’t to become someone who always knows the right thing to say—it’s to become someone who can listen, adapt, and make the other person feel comfortable contributing to the conversation.
Updated
Becca’s Answer
Great question! The fact that you’re already thinking about how to improve your communication skills is great. Communication is something you can continue to develop throughout your entire career and life.
One of the best ways to improve is to practice having conversations with different types of people. Don’t worry so much about having the “perfect” thing to say. Focus on being genuinely interested in the other person. Also, practicing listening is helpful. Active listening is such a key piece of communication as well so you understand how to respond. Asking follow up questions based on what the person is sharing with you.
Also, any opportunity you can take to be able to communicate; presentations, interviews, or discussions would be helpful for you. Keep growing your confidence!
One of the best ways to improve is to practice having conversations with different types of people. Don’t worry so much about having the “perfect” thing to say. Focus on being genuinely interested in the other person. Also, practicing listening is helpful. Active listening is such a key piece of communication as well so you understand how to respond. Asking follow up questions based on what the person is sharing with you.
Also, any opportunity you can take to be able to communicate; presentations, interviews, or discussions would be helpful for you. Keep growing your confidence!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for uoyr question. Communication is important in all careers. I am glad to know you would like to improve it.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Attend Communication on both verbal and written communication to learn different skills
2. For written skills, read famous novels and news online. Write some short articles from time to.time ro seek teachers comments.
3. For verbal skills, do some story telling to children . Foe public speaking, prepare the scripts and practice in front of mirror. Record it and identify areas to improve.
Practice makes perfect !
Hope this helps! Goos luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Attend Communication on both verbal and written communication to learn different skills
2. For written skills, read famous novels and news online. Write some short articles from time to.time ro seek teachers comments.
3. For verbal skills, do some story telling to children . Foe public speaking, prepare the scripts and practice in front of mirror. Record it and identify areas to improve.
Practice makes perfect !
Hope this helps! Goos luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Hetal’s Answer
Hey Julius! Super cool that ur trying to level up ur comms.
For easy starters, try open ended questions like "What got u into that?" and build off whatever they just said. It makes improvising way easier.
If u want structured practice, checking out a Soft Skill Development Program is a great move to build confidence fast. Lmk if u wanna chat more about it!
For easy starters, try open ended questions like "What got u into that?" and build off whatever they just said. It makes improvising way easier.
If u want structured practice, checking out a Soft Skill Development Program is a great move to build confidence fast. Lmk if u wanna chat more about it!
Cristina Selma Oltra
product support engineer CERTINIA
13
Answers
Updated
Cristina’s Answer
Hi Julius
It’s really great that you want to improve your communication skills. To get better, practice is key. Try engaging in conversations with friends or joining groups where you can discuss various topics.
Improvisation can come from being present in the moment. Listen actively to what others are saying, and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts or experiences that relate to the topic. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. Good luck, and enjoy the journey of improving your skills :)
It’s really great that you want to improve your communication skills. To get better, practice is key. Try engaging in conversations with friends or joining groups where you can discuss various topics.
Improvisation can come from being present in the moment. Listen actively to what others are saying, and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts or experiences that relate to the topic. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. Good luck, and enjoy the journey of improving your skills :)
Updated
Howard’s Answer
Most locations around the USA have a speaker's club called Toastmasters International. Through group support and encouragement, members get to practice different styles of communication which help you grow professionally. I was an active member for many years and presented in many professional engineering events around the USA with much success. I credit Toastmasters with my ability to communicate complex ideas to large groups.
Find a Toastmasters club near you.
Howard recommends the following next steps: