I've always had horrific issues talking to women and more so initiating conversation with those of the attractive variety. What I've found to help is almost treat them (meetings/dates) like job interviews.
At first you're sitting there, shitting yourself, terrified at what the person opposite you thinks of you... But why? Fuck them, they don't know you, they're just other people with their own flaws. Yeah you may stammer and stutter at the first job interview, it might go tragically wrong but you now have that experience. So you have a second interview, you find that maybe the next one you don't stammer so much you can talk a little more freely, but you don't get the job; it wasn't the right job for you then. Now for your third interview you use the same methods as your last interview, you can talk to them and interact on a level that you couldn't before, but it's a shit job, you can tell straight away it will be soul destroying, but that's ok, you have another interview in a couple of days...
Now you've experience sitting and chatting to the last few guys, and this job is much better, it's in your field, you have skills that they are interested in and the interviewer is a sound chap/chapette who is easy to chat to and get on with. Magic, you click and land yourself an excellent job that you're happy with.
Had you gone to this interview straight away, would you still have landed it? Would they have taken you as a stammering and shy mess? The previous experience of being in a similar situation will build your confidence untill blagging an interviewer becomes second nature and you can land a shit hot job that you love.
Try get yourself out there, just talking to people will build your confidence and will give you more experience in the art of conversation

Go on dates with different people; who knows what will happen, even if you don't meet perspective lover right out, you will get the experience in talking to people and may even make some more friends; and them new friends might have friends who are more suited to your personality. It's all experience and making connections. Who knows where it will lead... As for the people who decide that they don't want to know you because you don't have "the chemistry" after a 20-30 min convo... Fuck them; they don't know you and they're the ones turning down the opportunity for a new friend if not a lover. Who are they do decide that a half hour interaction is enough to define you as a whole person. Are they worth giving your time to? It's their loss.
Get yourself out to more interviews. Good luck dude
