Tips for Social Success - #3
Keep it Short:

Telling long stories about people and topics others may not know or care about will bore and tire them. It's better to get right to the point.

Be sure to make eye contact, include some questions for your listener in your conversation, and watch for signs of your listener losing interest:

• If your listener isn't making eye-contact with you, this could mean you've lost them already.
• Does your listener want to ask questions? Keep them on track by saying you'll get to their question is just a second.
• Is your listener relaxed? That's great!
• If your listener changes the subject, it may be he/she is unable to keep interested in what you have to say, and it's definately time to GET TO THE POINT!.
• Has your listener tried to change the subject? Not good! It may be that your listener is not practiced at being a good listener, but that isn't your concern right now.
• Is your listener smiling, or crossing her arms and shifting her weight from one leg to the other? Look for little signs that you're losing his/her interest by watching body language.

It's just make sense, and is definately good practice to remember to KEEP IT SHORT!