Well, that's how you learn: you try and figure out what works and what doesn't and change it when it doesn't. Think a bit like a scientist and go, "if I say this this way, they do this" or "ok, that didn't work. Does this work better?". People will tell you what they liked or didn't like, one on one. They'll deflect or they'll look away. Don't ignore these signs. Watch people who are socializing well and see/hear what they do and compare it with what you do.
Just becuase you're skills are weak doesn't mean you can't find people to talk to, just means that you'll have to keep finding new ones to try to strike up a conversation with. At first you may only have a conversation with 1 out of 10 people, but later you may be hitting 9 out of 10 (I think there's maybe twenty people in the world who can do 10 out of 10).
You've said you're not in a place where you can work on those skills? Why not? Join a class or something and strike up a conversation before the class or after it with people. Just say, "Hi, I'm x. What's your name?" Assume that you two share at least one interest, whatever the class is about. If all else fails, you can ask them about their interest, like "how do you like this class?" or "how long have you been interested in x?"
I disagree with the above advice. I find that being interested makes you the most interesting.
Good luck!
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