***The 2 Things You Must Do When Introducing Yourself

By Nancy Daniels The Official Guide to Public Speaking
The official guide to Public Speaking

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One of the worst things we do as a people is our personal introduction. How many times have you attended a business lunch, a networking breakfast, or a chamber event in which everyone in attendance must stand and introduce himself/herself and you hear the same thing from each and every individual?

They say their name, their profession, and the name of their business; and, with each statement, the pitch of the voice rises at the end so that it sounds like a question. It goes something like this:

Hello, my name is Bill Jones? (The pitch of the word Jones is higher than the word hello.)
I am an IT specialist? (The pitch of the word specialist is higher than the word I.)
I work for Diamedics? (The pitch of the word Diamedics is higher than the word I.)

The first problem with Bill’s introduction is that it is boring and sound just like the individual before him and the one to follow. There is no hook, nothing that makes Bill Jones stand out from anyone else.

The second problem is that each statement sounds like a question; therefore, Bill does not sound confident, assured or memorable. Is he or is he not Bill Jones?

If the above example sounds like you, then there are two things you can do to stand out from the crowd the next time you are introducing yourself.

1. Practice your intro by recording yourself. Listen to your voice at the end of each statement. Is your pitch rising as if you were asking a question? You may find this difficult to hear at first. Listen hard and concentrate on your message. In normal conversation, were you to introduce yourself to another person, the chances are good that you would say it in a conversational style. So, too, should you treat your intro at the business lunch, meeting, or event in the same manner.

2. Use a hook in your introduction. Say something that makes you different from the rest, so that after 25 people have said their names and their businesses, everyone remembers you above all others. Maybe you can begin your introduction with a question or by offering a sales tip before stating your name. There are many ways to grab their attention without saying: Hello, my name is…

When I introduce myself, I sometimes ask the group if they like hearing themselves on their answering machine. Immediately I have their attention because everyone hates their voice on their voicemail. Then I tell them that I am The Voice Lady.

The personal introduction says volumes about you. What is yours saying? Why not speak and have the group remember you above all others? Make your introduction memorable and watch the business to follow.