For some young entrepreneurs, talking to strangers might feel intimidating. However, learning to communicate with people you don’t know is a vital skill to develop in entrepreneurship. Here are some strategies to get more comfortable:

• First, understand why you feel awkward reaching out to new people. Look inward to see if you’ve been conditioned to see strangers as dangerous and question your self-limiting beliefs.
• Keep your broader “why” in mind. Understand why you need to talk to a customer, client, or mentor. If you want to speak with a customer, remind yourself that speaking with them will help you gain insights about how the target group perceives your idea and how that can help you get better at your job.
• Do some pre-work. Look them up online or find mutual connections who can introduce you to new people. Becoming familiar with them will help you feel at ease when you meet them in-person.
• Prepare a script. You don’t have to rote-learn the script but use it as a guide to help you navigate the conversation more comfortably.
• Learn to regulate your emotions. If you notice difficult feelings show up in your body, use breathing or mindfulness techniques to calm yourself down.