Make your self-introduction memorable
I’m sure you feel the pain and discomfort around this whole self-introduction activity. I’m sure you know that feeling of subtle disappointment with yourself once you’ve delivered that introduction. I know you feel it is customary, wasteful and a mandatory task whenever you have to meet someone new at work or otherwise.
I used to have the same feelings, not because I wanted to but because everyone around me felt so and made this entire activity look so frivolous. As the frivolity continued, I became totally ignorant towards my own introduction and eventually myself. I would invariably focus on the bigger stuff like who I’m going to meet, how successful they are, context of the meeting, what I can get out of the meeting. This went on for years and I remember walking out of each meeting feeling dissatisfied, mediocre, and empty. I knew others were more important for me and they sensed that as well, until I started my own business and realised the importance of self-image. In a couple of years, one thing became absolutely clear to me, ‘The way you introduce yourself talks a lot about how you treat yourself’. My professional and social life began to improve considerably, and believe me my self-introduction had a huge role to play in that.
So here are my top five techniques to create a memorable self-introduction:
- Consider it to be your narrative
Whether you pitch to investors or potential clients, remember it is your own story so you cannot talk about it as if you’re reading a script. It has to be told with compassion and happiness as if you are having a conversation with the other person. Obviously people are eventually interested in your core offering (product or service), but a true sign of engagement is when you make the other person feel involved, and it is only upon you to do that.
- It should be an elevator’s pitch
It is true that leaders convey their message in the least amount of time. For that to happen, your pitch or introduction should be quite precise yet holistic. Ideally, an elevator’s pitch incorporates your work profile/your core offering, it also highlights how you do it differently than others and what makes you unique. It is a must to highlight all this because it truly increases your recall value. You must also highlight at least one personal information. A truly impactful pitch does not exceed 90 seconds. Of course exceptions are always there.
- Do not shy from being childlike
Everyone has a childlike impulse that makes them do happy and unusual things. Even for your startup, business or profession, I’m sure there were some childlike traits in you that brought you onto this journey, and please do not stress on looking all mature and serious. In this endeavor, most of us end up looking quite up tight and robotic. So let your real instinct emerge, especially when you introduce yourself. You will create magic.
- Share a personal struggle
Most people love to hear real stories, and no real story is complete without struggles. Sharing a personal struggle to make your startup work is the best and the most authentic way to present yourself. This actually goes on to reflect your high self-esteem. Be so comfortable in your skin that you embrace vulnerability with grace. Go ahead and mention a challenge and you will be considered a hero.
- Talk about a personal passion
You must be thinking first a personal struggle then passion, where is all this going. Well we’re not discussing just introductions but memorable introductions. And for an introduction to be memorable, you must have something more to yourself than just your profession. There are personal interests that connect you to life. Do not shy away from mentioning those. You will be truly respected for having a passion beyond work. It makes you incredibly charismatic and admirable.
So hopefully with these techniques, your next introduction will be your star performance!
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory)