How does one become a better conversationalist?

Found a beautiful post on Quora...

For the short term:

1. Ask others open ended questions about themselves
2. Listen to what they say with genuine interest.
3. Ask more questions about what you've heard
4. Express some genuine positive and/or supportive remarks about what they've told you.
5. Relate your own similar experiences and still maintain self control in not talking just about yourself.
6. Invite others who might be present to participate in an ongoing conversation.

For the long term:

1. Read lots of books on lots of different subjects.Explore diverse subjects that interest you and have an open perspective on the world, life and people.
2. Learn a good joke or two that are appropriate for all occasions. Use them sparingly.
3. Take an improvisation class,
4. People watch for at least an hour at a time.
5. Take a chance and practice by going somewhere public (a coffee house perhaps or other social setting) make polite short term conversations with people about your surroundings or perhaps pay a sincere and non predatory compliment to someone. Ask about a book you see someone reading.
6. Learn to be yourself, have fun in the moment and don't overstay, overstep or dominate a conversation. Explore other people's ideas.
7. Understand that people have different perspectives and opinions. Always preface your opinions with "It is just my opinion but.." validate other's opinion with "hmm..that is an interesting perspective... I will have to think about that."