9 Questions to Get People Talking and Draw Them Out

2. How did you like your hotel?

You can also ask, “Would you return?”

The person in front of you just told you about latest vacation. You may (or may not) have been there yourself.

When you talk about a destination (How was Paris?) the response might be a generalization. When you get into specifics like hotels, then they go into detail.

You pick up useful information about what matters to them.

(Image: Nate Hovee/Adobe Stock)

3. How did you start your business?

This is a great question to ask a business owner. They usually love relating their “origin story.”

They grew the business, got it through difficult times, saw opportunities and got it to where it is today.

This might lead into how they are bringing the next generation into the picture.

(Image: Shutterstock)

4. What else are you involved in?

You have met someone at a community organization event.

Obviously they support the organization — they are present at this event. Is this their one and only community interest, their major involvement?

Probably not. It’s a question that lets you know what other causes are important to them.

(Photo: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg)

5. Which is your favorite?

You are attending an event involving art. It might be an exhibition opening at the local museum or a local gallery showcasing one artist.

Everyone is walking around looking at the art and whispering among themselves.

You engage someone in conversation and ask which work they like the best.

Their answer often includes an explanation why they made that choice.

(Photo: Mike Fuentes/Bloomberg News)

6. How did you choose that profession?

Have you ever noticed the course of study people pursue in college is often unrelated to their field of employment?

Life takes people in different directions. They see an opportunity and act on it. You get to learn the circumstances that got them where they are today.

(Image: Shutterstock)

7. How did you meet your partner?

This is a social question, usually asked after you have known the couple for a bit, but not that long. Did they connect through online dating?

Were they setup on a blind date?

Were they childhood sweethearts?

It's often a tender story; sometimes a very long story.

(Image: Shutterstock)

8. Tell me more.

This is a polite way of saying “Keep going.”

You asked a question, maybe it was about how they started their business or got into their chosen profession.

They are comfortable talking, so you want them to keep going.

This expression communicates you are interested.

(Image: Adobe Stock)

9. Why?

This is a great expression. They made a decision about something. They have a position or opinion they really believe in. They might have said: “I'm moving to Florida.”

You wonder how they reached that conclusion?

This draws out their reasoning.

(Image: Adobe Stock)