I find meeting people gets easier if you develop confidence by knowing what to say.
Sounds kinda silly but you kinda have to roleplay dialogues and scenarios in your mind with the small talk, facial expressions, mannerisms etc. for situations that you forsee in the near future. This way, when it happens, you already know what to say and do.
One example it where someone here said a smile goes a long way. This is sssoooo true, but it's best if you rehearse the situations where you would like to smile in the near future that way when it arises you will act!
Another good example is to hold and or repeat a stare or a glance. Not to the point where you look like a perve, but to the point where YOU are staring or repeating a prolonged glance perhaps followed with a smile or a giggle longer than what the typical person in your town or city does. I find each city or town has a slightly different default when it comes to eye contact.
For example, when I Travelled to Rio De Janiero many many years ago, if i glanced at a girl for say 5 seconds followed with a slight smile, that girl would approach me shortly there after. If she was with a guy, she would slip away to meet me. Once, this girl slipped away from her man and slipped her telephone number into my hand. This place was heaven for meeting girls. Not sure how it is now.
Humour, is another great aphrodisiac. Women love a good sense of humour. Everyone loves to have a good time and laugh. This is another good area to rehearse in. Learning to tell jokes, is a great way to break the ice, learn conversation, get noticed, develop confidence with people. it's all about confidence thru practice and application.