First published on Rocks Digital
By Debbie Mrazek

Improve Your IntroductionHow are your Jerry Maguire skills? Would you have those you meet at “Hello”?

Introducing yourself in a manner that will leave an impression with the person you are speaking with can be somewhat difficult. You may need to improve your introduction and the way in which you deliver it.You may have used your standard introduction, but for some reason it didn’t work as well as it had in the past.

When you introduce yourself at a networking event or meeting, your primary goal is to get the attention and interest of those around you and ensure that they remember who you are and what your business does long after the event has ended. This may be somewhat easier said than done, but with some practice you can master the art of introducing yourself. One important thing to keep in mind is that it is a networking event – meaning everyone is there for the same purpose – to meet others and that includes YOU!

Eye Contact is Key
If you’re attending a meeting or event and everyone is sitting in chairs or at a table, when the time comes to introduce yourself, make eye contact with each person and smile. People love to for you to really see them and connect – if even for just a moment. Research has shown that the best way to develop a rapport with someone is through eye contact. They will be more attentive to the words you are speaking. This is also a great way to demonstrate that you are confident in who you are and what you’re there to accomplish.

Become the Host
Another effective way to stand out and be remembered when you are seated at a table and no one seems to be initiating conversation, is to act as though you are the host. Would you ever host a dinner at your home and not make sure everyone at your dining table had met one another? Of course not! So, take that attitude about the table you are seated at and begin to introduce yourself to each person at the table and ask them to tell about themselves while gesturing to others at the table that you want them to hear what the person has to say as well. People are so grateful, especially first time visitors, when they have been made to feel included and welcomed. A great benefit to this is not only that you will know who all is at your table but it engages much more meaningful conversation with one another.

One final thing you must remember and apply – always give the person you are speaking with your full attention, this will make them feel important and that you are actually interested in what they have to say.

Have you improved your introduction? How? Let’s discuss below.