often i'll find a girl that i've either approached or who has approached me will be enthusiastic at first, but after a while (even after a short introduction) will drift off to other people, other sets, her friends, etc...

i don't really have a problem with confidence or approaching... it's just having conversation and keeping interest going that i find difficult sometimes, there are few people that i can hold a good conversation with. but i want to be able to keep that rapport going with anyone, at the drop of a hat, just roll with it, so that my target has a reason to keep talking to me, rather than anyone else, particularly in a club setting where she could choose to be talking to anyone.

any hints and tips?

i understand there's a lot of stuff that could come under the umbrella of this topic and there's no one easy fix.

obviously i understand that directly asking her to stay or following her is a big no-no and will make me look like a wimp...

Try and just fill it up a little bit with fluff talk but not too much, try and memorise some stories or something you can tell that will actually create conversation and interest and DHV Also ESP games or little routines like the cube. Also try and be the one to leave when the conversations flowing and try and find them again later, leave them wanting more.