Guys, how do you keep up good conversations with Ladies?

How do you steer the conversation to areas where she talks more and the connection between you two grows.
And what are the awkward conversation killers that you avoid when you're doing so?

What are your turn offs that make you give up on even trying to have a conversation with a girl (because you know it will be a futile exercise).

A lot of people give advice on how to approach the girl but there is little advice on the art of conversation.