How to Talk to Anyone

Overcome Shyness, Social Anxiety and Low Self-Confidence & Be Able to Chat to Anyone!

By: Jennifer Alison

Narrated by: Rachel Austin

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Have the ability to talk to anyone with confidence. Always know what to say.

Overcome shyness and gain excellent communication skills fast with easy practical steps.

Updated for 2020, Jennifer Alisons' How to Talk to Anyone is a much-praised international best seller, thanks to its practical and easy-to-implement advice. You do not need to become a doctor and learn endless and often useless medical jargon to become a great conversationalist or know to deal with difficult situations in your life. You just need good solid advice you can implement into your daily life immediately and with ease.

Here's a preview of what you'll learn when you buy this book:

• Overcome conversational obstacles fast
• The secret trick that makes conversation so much easier!
• Quickly overcome difficult thoughts, feelings, and bad habits
• Do not let social anxiety hold your back
• What people want from a conversation and how to deliver it
• The top 15 skills required to be a great conversationalist
• Dealing with specific difficult circumstances
• Get over shyness fast, day-by-day
• Real-life situations and how to solve them
• Instant confidence tips
• And much more.
  

Critic Reviews

“The essential guide to conversation skills, especially for those who usually struggle in social situations.” (London Weekend Magazine, February 2020)

“A book that is sure to help countless people gain the conversation knowledge they have always desired.” (Ellen Rosaland, author)

“....which is why we recommend this book every year.” (NY Knowledge, September 2019)

©2016 Jennifer Alison (P)2016 Jennifer Alison

Incredibly helpful

If you could sum up How to Talk to Anyone in three words, what would they be?

Very helpful book, full of very good practical advice - the best part is the advice actually felt realistic, it felt like things i could actually do in my own life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Talk to Anyone?

Narration was very good. Loud, clear and engaging voice.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

I guess the thing to remember is the things you will learn from this book will take time to seep in (although i found positive changes immediately!) as you cant expect to change a life-time of habits overnight, but stick with it, it does work. I am walking testament of that!

Any additional comments?

Dealing with social anxiety / anxiety / self-esteem / shyness issues is not easy but it can be beaten. This is a fantastic book that will give you a lot of the tools you need to progress in life.

Different, but in the best possible way

What did you love best about How to Talk to Anyone?

It was different from the other books i have read about this sort of thing...which was a good thing!

What did you learn from How to Talk to Anyone that you would use in your daily life?

So much about small talk, how to impress people in an HONEST way and not being manipulative or fake.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic. Helpful. Great. An awesome book I have already recommended to many people.

Recommend!

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book, very impressed with just how much I learned from this. I had feared it would be the same content as i have read before, but a lot of it was unique and the stuff i had read before we told in a very unique and different way. Excellent book and one I have gained a lot from, so i have no hesitation in recommending it!

A Fantastic Book on Communication Skils

Any additional comments?

As a person who loves talking, and not just talking to my friends but public speaking, I visit a lot of seminars on communication. It is always good to polish your skills and maybe get to know some more useful tricks!
However, with the time limited now, I started to opt for the books. Believe me; there are a number of books who just go around the topic without giving you anything necessary! But if you've been looking for a great book to help you overcome your communication barriers or just wanted to refresh your knowledge, search no further, as Jennifer Alison's How to Talk to Anyone is your go-to book!
Usually, I go for paperbacks, but this time I opted for a narrated version, and I'm sure I didn't make a mistake. It's fantastic context wise and narrated wise. I had this impression that I was attending the talk. And that was good! I had time to assess what I do without hitting a pause button.
But let me talk more about the book itself. It is a fantastic blend of theory and practice. It's divided into 3 parts, and I advise not to skip any, even if you think that you know that theory. Jennifer supplies real life scenarios that made me wonder how I was acting in similar situations. I actually got to know that putting my phone on the table while talking to a person is rude.
Anyway, the book is great for it doesn't tell you what kind of person you should become, rather it encourages you to think about what type of conversationalist you want to see yourself be! And that is a powerful idea, as even all the best of us can sometimes struggle and would like to change the way we want to communicate.
Are you shy by nature, or you just get lost with people, this book is for you as it gives you those tips and tricks that will help you overcome your barriers! But be realistic, with just reading the book you won't become the next perfect orator; practice that's what will make you good, and this book has just so many good exercises that will keep you motivated and enthusiastic to become the better you!

Valuable and effective information & advice

If you could sum up How to Talk to Anyone in three words, what would they be?

informative, valuable, effective

Any additional comments?

Low self-confidence and not being able to talk to people, especially to strangers, is a big problem for an individual who is experiencing this problem. But fortunately, we can eliminate these unpleasant feelings. This very useful and helpful self-help guide, with all the information and valuable advice will definitely help anyone who is facing low self-confidence, shyness, social anxiety and the like. I recommend it!

Overcoming conversational anxiety's achievable!

This book is great for people who replay conversations in their head for hours and days, or worry about a conversation in advance excessively. I have joked before that it would be easier to write an email or text about some things - this book explores why, and seeks to help a person evaluate their communication habits and make positive changes.

Book is divided into 3 parts: Part 1 was Overcoming conversational obstacles fast. I think part two was Breaking bad habits forever. Part 3 was Simple techniques to improve your conversational prowess. At the end of the second part, especially good food for thought to me was the list of 10 needs of others that can be met by our conversations. That has molded my conversation style just this week while I was listening to the book.

While I don't agree wholly with everything the author said - for example, that we often do our best work in groups - it was good food for thought to dwell on why that might be true; we usually thrive on feedback and positive interactions. As the author also pointed out, thinking about others and positive interactions you can initiate with them is valuable to relationships.

Most chapters give concrete examples, specific examples of action points / takeaways, and even offers specific things you might ask or say to others in certain situations. A few parts (chapter 10) may seem vague at points for someone actually having an issue with being inappropriate. "Don't be rude," well I wouldn't be, if I knew I was. But the author does give enough specifics to help someone think about their conversation patterns when interruptions are discussed, as well as other habits.

This book covers negative self talk, how to listen to others well, relationships and dating, body language, job interviews, speaking techniques, conflicts, and more. The narration is done in a straightforward way - this isn't an at the edge of your seat piece, but self-help isn't meant to be. Overall, considering its type, I gave this book a 5 for accomplishing what it claims to - giving clear advice about overcoming personal conversational obstacles!

No doubt why this is a best seller

Where does How to Talk to Anyone rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is best motivational and personality development audiobook I've listened to far.

What did you learn from How to Talk to Anyone that you would use in your daily life?

The easy to learn techniques, tips & tricks to deal with different situations are the things I learnt from this book and I am implementing them in my daily life.

Any additional comments?

I was a kind of person who suffered from massive social anxiety and low confidence. I was treated as socially awkward and didn't have a courage to talk to people. Thankfully, I came across this book and it has really helped in overcoming my shyness and made me an amicable person. The things mentioned in this book are easy to learn and easier to implement. I don't feel hesitated around people and can lead a conversation. Thank you Jennifer Alison for writing this book and Rachel Austin for narrating it.

I Couldn’t Ask for Anything Better than This Book

Would you listen to How to Talk to Anyone again? Why?

The way the narrator tells the situation of how the social togetherness makes certain people uncomfortable and how to overcome it is definitely hard. The author of this book realizes the struggle of the shy people and really puts the solutions in the spotlight. All the sickening aspects of the social anxiety have been highlighted and how to get through them is what makes me want to read it all over again and get a new solution every time to avoid shyness.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Every person in this world is different and has got a different personality. Nobody is comparable and nobody’s useless. The part where the narrator describes the comfort zone and the terror zone was the best part of the entire book.

What does Rachel Austin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

With that subtle and diplomatic tone of voice, Rachel pretty much aced this. The communication skills were incredible and chances are someone else might not have done it more splendidly like Rachel did.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My personality is almost strong but some part of me did break a little as I was once an introvert person.

EXCELLENT WRITE-UP, A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE.

Would you listen to How to Talk to Anyone again? Why?

Yes, I will definitely listen to How to Talk to Anyone again. Growing up, I usually would put my head down, not been able to talk to anyone due to shyness. As an adult it wasn't so easy to overcome, it still reflected in me. not until I found this book. It has changed me forever! It helped me build so much confidence in me, lift my head up and be able to talk to anyone. Therefore, I'd listen to it again and again.

What other book might you compare How to Talk to Anyone to and why?

How to Talk to Anyone could be compared to Panic Attacks & Anxiety: Fast Proven Treatment to Cure Panic Attacks and Anxiety by same author Jennifer Alison because Panic attacks and anxiety can be debilitating conditions that nearly always gets worse if not treated and this book brings you a simple, no-nonsense guide to curing your panic attacks and anxiety fast and without fuss. Actionable steps you can do immediately to once and for all rid yourself of panicked feelings and anxiety! and How to Talk to Anyone is basically talking about similar thing; be bold and avoid panic attacks.

What about Rachel Austin’s performance did you like?

Rachel Austin was crisp and her pronunciations are very clear and that I liked so much.
After examining the causes of social awkwardness, and the harm it can cause - people don't advance at work, avoid parties, etc, the rest of the book provides exercises and tips in
how to overcome social anxiety and learn how to communicate with others. To some people it comes naturally, but it is a learned skill, as I was hoping and as this book made clear to me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Initially, I didn't intend listening to the book all at one sitting but unconsciously it kept me glued to my sit and I didn't get up till it was over. Up until now each time at start listening I stayed glued to it till I'm done.

Any additional comments?

Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to Dr. Jennifer Alison for publishing this life changing book. How to Talk to Anyone is an enjoyable and lengthy but concise book, its tackling of issues among shy people like myself is excellent and unrivaled. I will tell my friends about this, so they don't miss out on one of the best audio books on Audible.
Thumbs up to Jennifer and Rachel for a job well done. The content of this book has given me the courage to associate with people It has been of extreme help to so many due to the fact that shyness has been a major problem for so many. This reminds me of a friend who used to say; everyone is shy but you just have to come out of your shell and do what you have to do. This book I highly recommend for everyone because at some point in your life, though you consider yourself as not been shy you'd be confronted with a situation that test your boldness,this book is what you need to overcome such times. Therefore, is a must read for everyone.

Amazing Conversation Skills!

Would you consider the audio edition of How to Talk to Anyone to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version of this book, as i prefer audio books more. i enjoyed this book in audio edition. it was very helpful and audio is always better as i can listen to it while doing my other work.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There is no single character of the book. I loved how the writer has mentioned and discussed how an introvert person feels while having a conversation with other people. it is an inspiring book.

What does Rachel Austin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

everything in the book is clearly told. Rachel's voice is very calm and not in a hurry to finish the book. it helps the person to understand the concept of the book and understand our own problems easily. each technique to come over our shyness and other conversation problems are all brought in the light and talked about in detail.

What did you learn from How to Talk to Anyone that you would use in your daily life?

it is an amazing book that helped me in learning how to talk to other people without any reservations or shyness. the techniques mentioned by the writer has helped me in conveying my opinions and ideas to other people. and as the conversation is a part of our life. it has also helped me in my daily life.

Any additional comments?

i will recommend this book to all the people who had low confidence or couldn't talk to others openly. it is very helpful and Jennifer Alison has obviously written this book after a lot of research. Good Work!