On December 13th, 1996 the Movie Jerry Maguire was released. In that movie was the famous line ”You had me at Hello” (spoken by Renee Zellweger’s Character). In honor of You Had Me at Hello Day… I thought it would be fun to write about The Art of the Introduction (that’s the self-introduction).How well do you capture your audience attention when you introduce yourself? When you are at a networking event do you know how to “pack a punch” into a few words?
Introducing ones self is an art that can be learned. All you have to do is apply a few simple techniques to your own business/organization and you could be on your way to having a memorable and repeatable introduction.
Here’s what I mean by repeatable. When you get up at an event and consistently share the same introduction, it not only flows from you, but something interesting begins to happen. People around you who have heard it a few times, will even start to repeat it. And if you want to test this out, say part of your introduction and pause… see if anyone says it for you.
I have had this happen on more than one occasion with my retail florist introduction. When my store was in Miramar, I would say “I am Heidi Richards Mooney, Chief Goddess of Eden Florist in Lovely Downtown Miramar.” It would get a chuckle not only because of the fun title I gave myself, also because there really isn’t a “downtown” in our city. When people would introduce me at meetings they would often say that for me. So it worked because it became an anchor for my business. Now I say the following: “ ”I am Heidi Richards Mooney, Chief Goddess of Eden Florist & Gift Baskets. When YOU have something to say, let our Flowers Second that Emotion.” This too gets a similar reaction because the tagline reminds the audience faintly of some song they heard years ago. I did this on purpose… and you can too.
Here are a few other ideas you can implement into your introduction, especially if you are like me and want to “mix it up” a bit:
Use Poetry
If you have a butt,
Big or small
I have a chair
That will fit them all.
Hi, I’m Barbara Brad and I sell chairs and other office furniture.
Use the Day
Your calendar can be your best friend. If you were introducing yourself to a group today you could share that today is “You had me at Hello Day” and tell the reason why… then lead into your introduction. Just make sure it is either relevant to the audience or relevant to what you do professionally.
Use Humor/riddle
Here’s what my dear departed friend Sid Weigner used to say: “What says everything it hears to others around? It’s not an animal or part of the human race – it will immediately repeat after you; but only if it’s tail is in place – My name is Sid Weigner and the answer to the riddle is Microphone. I specialize in helping speakers and trainers become proficient with technology tools such as microphones, digital recorders and others.”
Play on Words … If your last name was Bell, you might use the phrase “clear as a bell…”
Share a Startling Fact about your industry or a related topic to lead into your introduction.
“Did you know that 13 billion dozes of Prozak and other related tranquilizers, barbiturates and amphetamines are prescribed yearly by doctors in the United States, alone? Hi, I’m Brooke Peterson, your life coach and I work with people to reduce their sress and get high on life instead of drugs.”
Use a Creative Job Title ~ such as the example above I used as “Chief Goddess”
Use Props. A friend of mine dresses in a poodle skirt with a shirt that has her company name on it. She sells advertising specialties and it works for her.
Make a Promise/guarantee
“Want to stamp out boring, dull meetings and conventions?” My name is Patricia Fripp and I guarantee to keep your audiences awake!
Use Something Unique to You
My name is Connie Gordon and I hold the world record for teaching the most people to paint, 16 million! Some of my students have included Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Roslyn, David Letterman and Arnold Swartzeneger. I have even taught the blind and I can teach you….
Use a Famous Quotation Relevant to Your Niche
Derek Bok said “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Hi, I’m Jim Keenan, I’m the author of “Ignorance is Risk, What Wall Street Doesn’t Want You to Know” and I show business owners how to make wise investments.
Share a Benefit of Doing Business With You
My name s Gina Carroll and I help people present themselves attractively on paper, designing brochures, newsletters and press releases.
Other ways to introduce yourself include:
Issue a Challenge
Use a Short Story
Comment on the Environment/News
Ask a “Thought-provoking” Question…“What if? Did you know?”
Self-introductions can be a challenge. And they can also be fun. Make a game out of it. Test a few out. find out which ones get the best response from your audience and then … go for it!
If you have a really interesting or different way of introducing yourself, please share it in the comments section. I would love to use it in my next edition of Quirky Marketing Calendar which is due out December 20th! The 2011 Edition has more than 100 new ideas you can use to market your business. Stay tuned!
While you are thinking about ways to promote your business, check out Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ How to Use Zany and Non-traditional Holidays to Promote Your Business 365 Days a Yearfor More GREAT Marketing Ideas.
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