How to be memorable with your Introduction

When you need to introduce yourself you need to describe concisely and persuasively with passion and excitement what it is that you do otherwise no-one is going to notice or remember you or the contents of your introduction. Your name is vital information to them if they are ever going to contact you again, so you need to make sure they remember it. Take a moment now and consider for yourself how many or how few people have made an impression on you and how many of their names you can remember shortly after you are introduced to them standing in a group of people. The person with the most dynamic and enthusiastic introduction increases his or her chances of being memorable. This person needs to be you.

 You can create and carry enthusiasm using facial expressions and by using your tone of voice. The easiest way to pull this off is to smile warmly at your contacts as you speak your name. This warmth will gain their attention and now you can tell them how you help others to lead better lives through the work that you do. Tell them how they would benefit but leave them wanting more information. You can then follow up on this by explaining the various roles that you play in your social life, your clubs and committees as well as the roles played in your business life. You might mention any interesting positions you currently hold especially as regards to projects that you may be involved in and how in this project, you or your company have created positive outcomes and benefits for customers. If you haven’t already taken up your allocated 30 seconds, you could include your personal interests, passions, sports activities and hobbies as part of this introduction. Aside from creating an impression, your introduction is supposed to stimulate conversation, so if there was some interesting achievement from your past, or some exciting future event that might stimulate conversation then include it. People want to know how you can help them. So always talk more about the benefits that working with you brings to the people that you choose to serve. This should all take place in around 30 – 45 seconds. The rule is this: Always give them just enough in your introduction so that they are compelled to ask you for more information. Contacts will ask you to elaborate on areas that they find interesting, so make sure you keep them interested and that you stick to giving them information that prompts further questions. If the information is not interesting enough it is best to leave it out especially if the time limit of 30-45 seconds is likely to be exceeded because of it. If you are going to write out your introduction it will be approximately 100 to 150 words in length. Here’s the attention grabbing part of my personal prepared introduction:

“Hi, I’m Gavin Bramley. I help people to achieve financial success by showing them how to leverage their time by meeting people who can help them to further their careers. I teach them how to leverage their wealth by using other people’s time and other people’s money. I’ve helped employees to regain their passion for their work by empowering them with this financial know how and I’ve even helped their employers by diminishing the employees dependence on their salaries. I am currently CEO of Unique Wealth, enjoy a round of golf,  blah, blah, blah…..”

Do you see? My introduction is not all about me; it’s all about my new contact. If they have any interest in what I do I want them asking me for more information and specifically telling me what part of what I’ve said has most appealed to them. That is how I know what they are interested in and how I can help them. Does it make sense? Yes! Believe me it makes Rands too; so spend a little time practising your introduction and how you can best deliver it to maximise its effect.