We are interested in others when they are interested in us.

Interest is largely reciprocal, and most people are drawn towards whoever seems genuinely curious about them. That is less flattering than it sounds, because it means much of what passes for liking someone is a response to being noticed by them. It also means the fastest way to be found interesting is to stop trying to be.

In your next conversation, ask a second question about whatever the other person said rather than moving to your own version of it. Follow the thing they seem to care about rather than the thing you know most about. People remember being asked far longer than they remember being impressed.