Having suffered this, I will comment based on what I've done that I feel works. - Join social groups. I went on Meetup, local college sites, did Google search

Having suffered this, I will comment based on what I've done that I feel works. - Join social groups. I went on Meetup, local college sites, did Google searches for things I was interested in by area, went to logical hangouts for that stuff (gaming shops, hobby shops, maker hangouts, ect...) If you are diligent, you will soon find yourself with more to do than you have time for. - Rarely say no. If you are hesitant or nervous about a social situation, particularly one w/ new people, ignore that and participate. You will meet people much more slowly if you only accept social situations where you're comfortable. - Smile. Many people have what I would describe as a non-approachable resting face (worried, mean, nervous, ect..). Folks who might talk decide not to because they expect you will respond poorly. People also interpret smiling as confidence. They will be more likely to smile back at you (oddly, this seems to make me more happy myself) As a corollary to the above, also try to project openness (open arms, calm/interested sitting posture, ect..). - Say "hello", "what's up", ect... to everybody and pay attention to the answer. The most wonderful thing most people can talk about is themselves. Let them, and then Ask Questions. Conversations are like ping-pong, they cannot survive unless people serve and then return serves - Learn people's names and then use their name when you talk to them. The most wonderful thing they can hear is their own name. - Work offhand compliments into your speech. True for female or male. Nice hairstyle, excellent choice of clothes, ect.. Only things where they've made a choice or developed a skill that then worked out well in your estimate (ie, not natural features). Effectively complimenting their judgement while showing you're interested in them - Look people in the eye. It is extremely difficult to establish a connection or communicate interest without looking people in the eye. People who don't are viewed as shifty or evasive. You're not staring, but when you say something, look the person you're saying it to in the eyes. - Get in shape. Aerobic exercise gets you out, looking healthy, and is another form of social contact. It also keeps weight low, which affects features like facial fat and general desirability. For Anaerobic exercise, women are biologically programmed to find certain physical features interesting, develop them. Good self image also helps build self confidence - Find good rolemodels. If you want to be charismatic, find people who are charismatic. Its much easier to develop effective habits with good examples - Grind charisma and confidence. All things require practice. You should try to talk to people at every opportunity. Also pay attention to effective things people do. (Perhaps a co-worker who grabs everyone's attention at a meeting or a friend who effortlessly strikes up a conversation with a stranger) Note and then practice those techniques.