Introductions are like cake frosting. It’s the first thing people taste. And when it’s good (and digestible), people want more!
How about you – when it comes to introducing yourself, what do you say?
Do you strut like Mick Jagger singing: allow me to introduce myself, I’m a (man) of wealth and taste?!
Or do you shy away?
For many of us what seems like a simple, almost innocent activity, is actually a significant challenge. Significant because how we introduce ourselves is an opening to conversation, connection, a relationship, a referral, a job … or … a door closing.
You meet someone at an event and in a few quick seconds you have to decide what you’re going to say about yourself. What goes on in your head and your nervous system is something like this: yikes, how I will make a good impression? what is impressive and interesting about me? what should I say about myself? should I be honest? should I brag? should I drop names and sound prestigious? should I be clever? who am I anyway?? oh, and what do I want to ask this person for? who is s/he?!
You have many choices to make and perhaps a minute of airtime. You know all too much about yourself both good and not-so-good; as a result, you may get flummoxed, or find your inner critic has taken over!
Let me help you quiet those critical voices so you can get people interested in learning more about you.
Remember to be genuine.
Drop the notion that you are”selling” yourself.
You are not selling. You are giving others information and a glimpse of who you are. You are making a human connection and warming up a conversation. It’s a two-way street so relate don’t lecture!
Be sure to remember that you ARE interesting. Speak about what you find genuinely interesting – and think about what’s interesting and relevant to the other person in the context of the conversation.
Stop thinking of it as a pitch. You have good and great things to offer. Trust in that goodness. And stop worrying about time. You can say a lot in a hot minute. Take your time, speak slowly and make sure people can digest what you say.
Practice speaking about yourself. Out loud. In front of friendly listeners.
Listen to other people when they’re talking about themselves. Notice what lands when you listen and captures your interest or attention. Notice what bores you or turns you off.
Breathe, breathe, breathe; smile softly; make eye contact. Stay in your body.
Don’t memorize lots of details. You will likely forget them. Stay focused on perhaps three key things you want to emphasize. The idea is to entice and interest, right?
Lastly, consider becoming a student of introductions, opening lines and pitches. You see them all the time. Get to know what grabs your attention and start playing with words and phrases and approaches that you enjoy. Just as great butter cream frosting takes skill, attention and quality materials, great introductions are a creative act.