I would like to pass along some of the attitudes and ideas that I learned from a local pro that really helped me.
Talk to everyone, start a conversation with someone new every day. Lead the conversation into positive subjects and ask personal questions.
Just consider it an experiment in human nature (yours, and theirs) and have fun with it. That's the essence of pickup - just having fun playing with the other kids in the sandbox. Some will be excited to play, some will be cautious and take a bit to warm up and share their toys, some will be grouchy because they need a diaper change or a bottle. Whatever. Don't sweat it. Just work on being YOUR BEST SELF and the rest will fall into place as it should.
Warming someone up can take some time and can be a little awkward but just hang in there keep talking and giving rapport.
This is what I think of when building rapport or warming someone up in general:
The glass represents the person you are talking to.
The water is rapport; conversations they have had with other people and you throughout the day.
When you’re warming someone up all you’re doing is filling that glass.
Once it is full and overflowing they can’t help but give something back.
Some people’s glass will already be full and all you have to do is say hi or ask them a question and will immediately start talking… others will take a bit of effort on your part.
In addition to continuing to work on opening up conversations, and keeping a log of them. It’s really rewarding to be able to go back a year later and see how much you’ve grown.
And above all have FUN!!!