6 secrets to introducing yourself with impact

This article was originally written and published by Speak First

Most of us will have experienced the crushing disappointment that comes from not really being remembered. You mumble your name and where you work to the person joining the conversation and they smile politely. All too often in introductions, we tell people our occupation, job title and/or industry area. None of these encourage conversation. Almost all of us don’t want to stumble at the first step and create an awkward beginning, instead, we want to be memorable, impactful and interesting. So how can you achieve that?

1. Prepare a brief ‘elevator pitch’ introduction

An elevator pitch says all the important information in just a few seconds. The idea is when you suddenly bump into someone in the elevator, passing in a hallway or even at a busy event, you can impress them before they reach their floor. Practice introducing yourself, what you do and why you’re good to know in a maximum of 30 seconds.

2. Prepare more than one introduction

Have a range of introductions to suit the time you have available. One may be less than ten seconds, another around twenty to thirty seconds, or as long as it needs to be.

3. Make it memorable, interesting and clear

It must clearly communicate some of your key messages. Avoid the cement approach. Saying ‘I’m an auditor’ to a non-auditor is likely to lead to a dead weight response of ‘Oh, interesting…’ If you give too much technical detail about your role and department you’re in danger of fogging their brain and they’ll lose the real point of what you’re saying. Conversely, being too vague with ‘I work in professional services’ doesn’t help you either. You’ve missed an opportunity to differentiate yourself.

4. Share a benefit

People are mostly likely to actively remember people who can be useful to them, either now or in the future. So, when introducing yourself professionally, try to include a benefit. For example, ‘I’m John Smith from X Company and I’m just winding up a project with a client where we’ve saved $500,000 in tax benefits by helping them interpret the new tax changes.’

5. Make it compelling by:

The best introductions are delivered in an upbeat way, which expresses enthusiasm for what you do, creates a positive image of you succeeding in an area you want to be known for, and encourages people to want to know more about you and your actions.

When you’ve rehearsed your introduction first, it’s easier to speak confidently about who you are and the value you bring, as well as to focus your attention on others.

6. Ensure your key message is clear

Say it clearly and let them know the benefits they’ll get from it. Increase your clarity by emphasizing words, repeating your message or signposting its importance, for example, ‘I’d like to leave you with…’ or ‘the one thing to remember is…’ Using relevant and colorful examples can also help.

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