Networking events have been around forever, and yet, people still haven’t really mastered how to properly introduce themselves. How many networking events have you been to where you feel like there was no benefit to showing up? You either gravitate towards the same people because you don’t know what to say to new faces or you feel that telling people what you do doesn’t garner the right reaction you’re looking for.
“Hi, I’m Maya Elious. I’m a web and graphic designer.”
What do you think of when you hear “web and graphic design”? The title leaves things into so much interpretation. While my job title seems so obvious, everyone has their own understanding of what a web and graphic designer is or does. When I used to introduce myself as a web and graphic designer I used to get questions like:
“Oh, so can you create apps?”
“Oh, so do you design t-shirts?”
“Oh, do you make mixtape covers?” (This is generally when I know one of us is at the wrong networking event.)
Introducing yourself by your job title can stop conversations before they even start. Or even worse, they can initiate the wrong assumptions.
[Tweet ” The best way to introduce yourself is by the value you bring to your clients.”]
What is the end result and benefit [for your clients] of what you do? A more effective introduction would be:
“Hi, my name is Maya. Maya Elious. I help entrepreneurs strengthen their brand identity so they can reach their ideal target market.”
Result = Strengthened brand identity. Benefit = Reaching ideal target market.
Now this can open the conversation up to questions like:
“What exactly is brand identity? How is it different from branding?”
or
“I have a friend in need of assistance rebranding his non-profit. Would you mind if I passed along your information?”
I am very clear about who I work with and the results + benefits I offer.
Let’s say you’re a health & wellness coach. Before having a chance to actually network with some health and wellness coaches, I had no idea what they did.
“Hi, how are you? My name is Brittany. I’m a health and wellness coach at _____.”
Now, me, being ignorant to what a health and wellness coach does would just smile nicely and nod my head then keep it moving.
If Brittany would’ve said, “Hi. My name is Brittany. I help young men and women develop healthier lifestyles so they can have more energy.”
Result = Healthier life. Benefit = more energy.
Hmmm. Well it would be nice if someone could coach me out of drinking tequila and pizza every weekend. I really don’t have the willpower to do it by myself and I know it effects my productivity. Sign me up.
Here are some examples on good introductions.
Copywriter. “Hi. My name is _____. I write compelling web and email copy to help drive sales for my clients.”
Financial advisor. “My name is George, and I help people identify the truths about where they want to be financially so they can .” (My client – who is a financial advisor – shared his introductory elevator pitch with me. This is a portion of it.)
Inspirational blogger. “My name is _____. I motivate people to live purposeful and intentional lives through my inspirational blog.”
How you introduce yourself could make all the difference at the next networking event you attend. What is the benefit and value that you offer to your clients? Connect with and network with other entrepreneurs in my free FB community!
Great tips! I tend to be shy at networking events but after reading, I feel like I have a new strategy. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear that, Ashleé! Would love to hear your new introduction!
“Hi! My name is Chinelo Okona, and I inspire women to love their bodies and put their best foot forward by designing women’s sportswear & evening wear.”
Great Read! I never thought of this approach to an introduction. I’ll keep polishing up my elevator speech. Thanks!
I love this, Chinelo!! Thanks so much for sharing! I hope to see and hear more from your sportswear brand soon 🙂
“Hi! My name is Kristen, I inspire young career driven women to take advantage of the opportunities their city offers and encourage them to experience the world.”
I so loved this post because I was just drafting up a post about how to network better at networking events. I’m going to have to throw in what I learned from you! Question, if I did multiple things, and something separate in my 9-5 for now, should I mention all of that or just keep the opening intro brief with my main project?
Love it, Kristen! Thanks for sharing! Great question. Think of your intro like a resume. Resumes are meant to be brief (no longer than one page) AND you may have more than one resume for different job descriptions. So have a couple different intros prepared instead of having one long intro. 🙂 I’ll look out for your networking post!
Thank you so much for this post. It’s going to be so helpful for me! It’s something I need to work on because I’m shy when it comes to networking; I often feel like a child in a room full of grown ups!
I’d love to hear your take on what to say when representing a company and not just yourself. Do you describe what the company does for clients or what you do for the company?
Hi, Kelly!
Either option is fine, but I’d like to think that the value you offer to your clients aligns with the goals and values of the company. Let’s say you work at a hair salon that offers hair cut, coloring, braids, etc… and your specific role at the company is the help with color treatment for damaged hair. The overall goal of the company may be to “provide healthy hair solutions”. So when you describe what you do at your company, you could say that you “provide healthy hair solutions by offering color treatment for damaged hair”.
Hope this helps!
Hi Maya!
I stumbled on your website after looking at the finance bar website. GREAT JOB by the way.
I love this blog, pretty helpful tips! As I try to perfect my introduction, I was stuck on exactly what you mentioned, stating my name and profession. In my case, I am a Licensed Massage Therapist. I like to say I encourage the body to heal itself w/o sounding like a “healer” if you know what I mean but even that needs some polishing. This profession can be tricky as people have different thoughts about a massage therapist.
I will definitely read your other posts!
Great post! This is very helpful. I use to think that I didn’t want to say too much, but I know I need to be specific.
This is awesome! I never looked at it in that perspective before. I was invited to a networking even this week and was afraid to show my face because of these very scenario’s.
Help me! I am a cosmetologists. Id like to think I help my clients achieve their ideal image one that reflects their personality and fits into their lifestyle. Thank you. I’m at a loss of how to make this sound good. Ashley
This is SO extremely helpful. I’ll be heading to Vancouver this Saturday and I’ll be doing a lot of networking. As a student, this is super intimidating even though I’m pretty outgoing. Do you have any suggestions as to what to say to stand out as a student? I’m studying event and hospitality management:)
So glad you found this helpful, Courteney! I would just say “I’m currently studying event and hospitality mangement so that I can [whatever your WHY is] within the next [timeframe].”
I will be in Nashville this weekend at a huge networking event for women. I am a preschool director and former teacher. How can I word my introduction so that people don’t just think I run a daycare?
Hey, Cassandra! Can you ask this question in my FB group? Bit.ly/contentclub
The Information provided in this blog will be very useful for the networking people to handle the networking events. Really impressed with the ideas.
Business Networking Events
Sigh. You’re the best. Words can’t describe how much I needed this. Thanks so much. Pinned before commenting.
LOL awww thank you so much! Really happy this was helpful 🙂
This was like an answered prayer. Last month I went to a networking event that I felt stuck and uncomfortable to connect with people. It was so awkward for me to carry a conversation and I left feeling disappointed in myself.
Now I’m ready for the next event and have my opening line planned out. Thank you!
Yaayyy! I’m so glad this was helpful for you, Natalie! xx