Self-Introduction That Sells

How many times, when attending a meeting or even a small group session, have you been asked for your name or introduce yourself to the rest of the group? Do you suddenly become tongue-tied, irritated or sometimes offended? How well do you listen to each individual’s self-introduction? Do they all begin to sound boringly the same? Have you ever laid your eyes on the person introducing his or her self?  Does someone remember what anyone else said or who anybody is? The answer is dozens of times, “Yes, No, No and No again.”

What a wasted opportunity to sell yourself, your company, product or services!  Much like an “Elevator Pitch,” introductions should help people learn and remember who we are, what we do, and what we can do for them – Boom, Boom, Boom and they’ve got it. The purpose of an “elevator Pitch” or self-introduction is to get your listeners sufficiently interested in you, your company, your products, or your services so they would request for your business card, engage your services, or inspire a referral to someone else who might be in need of your services. You don’t need to reel them in; you just need to get them on the hook.  You don’t need to sound like a solution in search of a problem, but tell how your unique solution fills a need.  If you aren’t solving a problem or filling a need, you’re in for a tough sell.

Following is a unique and effective way to make sure your self-introduction does just that.  With a little practice plus self-confidence, you’ll be ready to sell yourself to any group or individual when the opportunity presents itself.

Step 1.  Stand up and start out with an enthusiastic greeting.  “Hello,” or “Good Morning,” or “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening,” as the case may be.

Step 2.  Say something to get the group’s attention or the person that you are talking to. Generate interest or curiosity about your work or your company.   Do this before you tell them what you do and who you work for or represent.

Step 3. Now, tell them exactly what you do, the benefit of what you can do for them, or what your services and products are – preferably in one short sentence.

Step 4.  State your company’s name. This step can be switched with step 3, but don’t leave it out.

Step 5.  State your own name.  It comes near the last, but don’t forget to say it.  You may want to include your title but be careful on how you say it because it may appear that you’re bragging it.

Step 6.  End by expressing genuine interest in the group, the meeting or the occasion.