INTRODUCTIONS, How to Introduce Yourself, Writing Your Bio

On INTRODUCTIONS –

Every week in these newsletters, we focus on improving our communication skills.  Let’s back up.  What about INTRODUCTIONS?  Well, clichés exist for a reason…

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

“A first impression is a lasting impression!”

“Hi.  I’m Andrea!”

Read on to learn all about INTRODUCTIONS:

• How to introduce yourself in a meeting
• How to introduce yourself in a written bio
• How to introduce two people to each other

HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN A MEETING

There’s a reason why many of our meetings start with round-table (or round-screen!) INTRODUCTIONS. Of course, it helps if everyone knows each other’s names and affiliations.  It also gets everyone warmed-up to participate. This is your chance to make a positive first impression!

image: Unsplash @ wocintechchat

TIPS for How to Introduce Yourself

• Consider the “audience”
  • What is relevant to them?  What’s the one thing you want these people to know about you?
• Consider your objective
  • What’s your goal? Why are you in the meeting?  Use the introduction to help you achieve your goal.
• Keep it brief
  • Especially if it’s a virtual meeting. 
  • Don’t be that guy who takes up too much air time! That’s not a positive impression!

Your SCRIPT for Introducing Yourself

1. Start with a brief positive comment
   • Smile and make eye contact (into the camera if you’re online!)
   • For example, start with, “thank you…” or “I’m happy to be here”… 
2. State your name and title or role
   • Identify yourself! (“My name is Andrea Wojnicki. I’m a communication coach at Talk About Talk.”)
3. Provide a customized comment 
   • For example, highlight what you’re looking forward to in the meeting, or maybe where in the agenda you will be leading the discussion.

? Don’t forget to SMILE! ?

HOW TO WRITE YOUR BIO

Where does your bio show up?  I’m not talking your LinkedIn bio.  I’m talking about the blurb about you that might show up on your company’s website.  Or perhaps you might be asked to provide a written bio if you speak at a conference or do a podcast interview. Often, this bio will be how you make your first impression.  It might also be used by someone who is verbally INTRODUCING you in a meeting or for a podcast interview…

image: Unsplash @austindistel

TIPS for Writing Your Bio

• Customize each bio you write, just as you would customize a resumé.
• Keep a digital “bio” file on your computer or phone with various versions so you can easily swap-out paragraphs to customize and improve your bio!
• Before submitting your bio, clarify the tone (formality) and length (word-count). If possible, check out what others have done.  You don’t want your bio to stand out in terms of formality and length.  You DO want your bio to stand out in terms of its impressive content…

Your SCRIPT for Writing Your Bio

1. Your bio title is your full name and affiliations.
   • Bio – Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, MBA, DBA
2. Start with your name and current role.
   • Andrea is a communication coach at Talk About Talk.
3. Your personal brand.  What makes you unique, including your goals, passions, and/or expertise. 
   • Andrea’s passion and expertise is COMMUNICATION – interpersonal communication and brand communication…
4. Your 2-3 most impressive and relevant achievements.
   • Not a life chronology! Rather the 2-3 most relevant and impressive points that people should know.
5. Something more personal. 
   • Not bragging, yes human. Depending on the context it could be a hobby, your family, etc. 

??‍♂️ Epic! ?‍♀️

HOW TO INTRODUCE TWO PEOPLE

INTRODUCING two people can be an honour!  If you do it right, you can help people expand their network, you can help them establish a positive first impression, and you can even make a positive impression yourself!

Image: Unsplash @ alexisrbrown

TIPS for Making Introductions

• Should you stand up?
  • If you’re online, then NO!
  • Otherwise YES, even if they say it isn’t necessary. This goes for whether it’s formal or informal, and whether you’re doing the introductions or you are being introduced. 
• On names and titles:
  • First name only is fine for casual introductions.
  • Include titles and last names if the introduction is formal, professional, or public.
• State the higher ranking person’s name first. Technically you introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person.  “Higher rank” people are:
  • older (vs. a younger person)
  • the boss (vs. the subordinate)
  • paying customers (vs. employees)
  • guests (vs. a host)

Your SCRIPT for Making Introductions

1. Say the name of the ‘higher-ranking’ person (the boss, the eldest,… )
2. Say “I would like to introduce” or, “please meet” or, “this is,” etc.
3. Say the name of the ‘lower-ranking’ person.
4. Provide context.  At work, context could be titles and responsibilities.  Whether it is professional or personal, the context could also include: 
   • how you know each of them
   • where they are from
   • what they have in common
5. Stand back and let them talk!

?Well done! ?

NETWORKING & INTRODUCTIONS

Have you listened to last week’s ? podcast yet, focused on ONLINE NETWORKING with executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin? Sharon is an incredibly positive person whom I’m grateful to have in my network!

Sharon Mah-Gin and Andrea Wojnicki

Sharon advocates generosity when NETWORKING. As Sharon says, start with an offer, especially in the beginning when it’s really about building relationships with like-minded people.

For example, when you’re NETWORKING you could offer:

• industry insight
• a relevant article, video, or course
• career advice
• moral support 
• an INTRODUCTION to someone! 

That’s it for this week!

Please forward this email to your friends who might appreciate advice on INTRODUCTIONS.  Thank you!