You are not alone. I can facilitate a meeting, and give a presentation yet have a lot of difficulty with the small talk or chit chat. Structure makes it easier.
I have discovered a few ways to make it easier I would like to share with you.
We focus on ourselves, and our lives, and what is important to us. So when you are in a social situation it is pretty easy to get people to start talking about themselves, for example what are you doing over the holidays? I am looking into a vacation. have you gone anywhere interesting lately, that's a nice necklace, where did you get it?
The more people you talk to, the more you will get comfortable, and make friends.
I know it sounds simple, but it has really worked for me. I am bipolar and have social issues, this is one of the things I do to help with that.