What Are You Saying About You?

How many times have you been asked to introduce yourself in a group setting? Does that simple request bring on a full blown panic attack?

First come the butterflies in your stomach followed by extremely sweaty palms. You try to concentrate on what is being said, but you become distracted by your own thoughts. Finally, when it's your turn to speak, the sweat pouring from your body is hardly limited to your palms alone. And when all is said and done, you barely remember a word that you've said, much less what the others in the room had to say, which of course, was the sole purpose of the exercise. 

The self-introduction isn't the easiest thing to pull off, but it certainly doesn't have to be agonizing. Like any speech, if you plan and practice your introduction, you'll always be prepared. Once you've got it in your pocket, you can pull it out at dinner parties, business meetings, job interviews or any special event. And the more you recite it, practice it, and refine it, the better it will become.

Crafting your own introduction can be a powerful exercise in self-awareness and self-expression. Like any presentation that you give, it should have an opening, a body and a closing. A self-introduction doesn't have to be elaborate or especially clever. You can make it humorous. Or not. You can share your likes and dislikes. Or not. You can share your hopes and dreams, or mention your hobbies. But whatever you say, make it memorable and interesting. Your introduction should be a good first impression demonstrating your competency and abilities to your audience.

So, let's give it a try.

• Most people start with their title. "I'm a writer with a flare for wordsmithing and editing."
• Next, talk about who you work for and what exactly you do for them. "I work with the faculty at Ty Boyd channeling their ideas and stories into a business and marketing language."
• And finally, why. This is where you can get personal and give your audience a glimpse into your motivation, what you want to add to your organization or to the world in general. "For me, it's all about helping my clients find their voice. The truth is, writing puts me in a zen state. It's my way of escaping. And it allows me to push my limits and experience things I otherwise would not have been exposed to. Writing is my passion, and lucky for me, I've managed to turn it into a career, which is important in sustaining my expensive hobbies and occasional luxuries."

In Practice

During our Sell With a Story course, you can learn how to craft a story that entertains, simplifies, inspires and compels an audience into action.

What are you saying about you? If you know you have a situation coming up that will call for a self-introduction, start preparing and practicing ahead of time. Practicing out loud will help refine and hone your message. And if you need help, give us a call at 1.800.336.2693. We'd be happy to help you make a good first impression.