How to introduce yourself is very important because first impressions will greatly affect how other people perceive you. Many people call an introductory speech an elevator speech because in addition to being brief, you also need to be able to introduce yourself and explain your plans or interests as if you were in an ascending elevator. This speech is also known as a "melting down" speech because it can relieve awkwardness and make other people want to get to know you more. Think carefully about every word when writing your introductory speech because what you say can either build or damage your own credibility.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing a Speech Script
Step 1. Prepare the outline of your speech
Begin drafting a speech by writing down the main points. Outline your speech to determine the most important things you want to explain and the order in which they are delivered. You can prepare a speech script according to the following basic structure:
- State your name in the first sentence. You can say it directly, for example "Good Morning/Evening, my name is Dani Mahendra, and I am a student of the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Surabaya."
- If this introduction is work-related, also state your interests and career goals in the same sentence. That way, you can save time while conveying interests that align with your professional career goals. For example, "I'm developing an app that lets people order pizza directly from their Twitter account."
- You may need to mention your educational or professional background if appropriate and relevant. "This is the fifth app I've designed. My second app, which can help people find dog parks near them, has won awards at university."
Step 2. Consider whether you need to describe another hobby or interest
Depending on the situation, you may also need to describe a relevant hobby or other experience. These explanations can be an opportunity to demonstrate your skills in a particular area or influence how others feel, depending on what you're trying to introduce yourself to.
- You can show resilience by telling your dreams or life goals that have supported your success. For example, if you're writing a speech for a fellow student, you may want to include why you studied computers at an early age and why it's important to you now as you develop your career.
- However, if you introduce yourself to a potential client over lunch to discuss business, he or she may not be interested in a story about your hobby. They may just want to know your current activities and your skills.
- Try writing two drafts, one tells your experience/hobby and the other doesn't. After that, read these two drafts to someone who can provide objective feedback before you give your speech.
Step 3. Make the best impression
In order to make a good first impression at work, you need to be able to demonstrate your skills and abilities when giving a speech. In order not to appear arrogant, associate your achievements with the goals and ideals you want to achieve. This way, your audience will understand that your desire to contribute in the future grows because of your past success.
- Emphasize the traits, skills, and experiences that are most relevant to the audience and fit for the purpose of this introductory event. For example, "My background in building applications and my network of professional connections allow me to know very well what today's young professionals are looking for. My apps can offer instant convenience and convenience."
- Try to present yourself as a professional while creating a good and convincing impression.
- If you want to introduce yourself to some coworkers, don't talk about family or other things outside of work that aren't relevant.
Step 4. Position yourself some distance from your peers
Present yourself as you are, but do so in a way that makes what you have to say feels very important and useful. Also mention your role if you hold an important position in a large project. Continue by sharing what you have learned from the experience of completing the project. Also explain your idea of a better way of working if you have to work on the same project again.
- Share your skills and experience while presenting yourself as a future-oriented person with a desire to keep learning and growing. For example, you might say "I spend a fair amount of time attending conventions and app conferences. That way I can learn what my audience wants. I'm grateful to be able to keep up with app design that way."
- Try to relate this explanation to your career goals and self-development.
Part 2 of 4: Revising and Rehearsing the Speech Script
Step 1. Reduce the length of your speech
Some career development advisors suggest that introductory speeches be two or three sentences long, others set a target time of five to seven minutes. If you're having a hard time composing your speech as short as this or you have more time to introduce yourself, try to keep your script as short but informative as possible.
- If you have to give a speech in order to fulfill an assignment, make sure you compose the script according to the rules.
- If the duration of the speech is limited to 3-5 minutes, giving a speech of 7 or 2 minutes is tantamount to violating the rules.
- If you must introduce yourself briefly in an interview, try to finish before the deadline.
Step 2. Use short, easy-to-understand sentences
Remember that you must speak out loud. Your audience probably won't ask you to repeat something that confused them. Deliver your speech in such a way that the audience doesn't have to wonder what you said.
- Avoid long rambling sentences. Use short direct sentences.
- Pay close attention to the sentence structure. By reading your speech aloud, you can find sentences that are too long and need to be rearranged.
Step 3. Start practicing
Before actually introducing yourself, you should practice speaking out loud. Use different intonations and observe the tempo of your speech during your speech. First of all, you can practice on your own while reading. After that, it's a good idea to practice in front of a friend, family member, or coworker and ask for their feedback.
- Practicing in front of other people can give you an idea of whether your audience is interested in hearing your speech.
- Determine the parts that are good and which still need to be improved.
- Ask for as much general and specific advice as possible by asking after your speech.
- In addition to asking, "Are you interested in listening to my speech?", ask also the advantages and disadvantages.
- Try to find out if your message is clear enough by asking your audience to help you practice what they understand from your speech.
Step 4. Memorize the script of your speech
Before introducing yourself, you should memorize well what you are going to say and practice how to say it. Even though it's common in certain situations that reading speeches are common, try memorizing the text of the speech and try to carry it smoothly without forgetting anything. In addition to making the audience more interested in listening, speaking without a script can make a good impression in terms of self-control, knowledge, and confidence.
- If you just stare at the paper during your speech, your audience will have a hard time understanding what you're saying.
- However, you can take a small note with important points just in case. Do not write a complete speech script, just the main points.
- Use this note as a reminder, not as a favor.
Part 3 of 4: Planning a Speech
Step 1. Find out who your audience is
Speeches to introduce yourself in a professional environment and speeches to introduce yourself to friends in casual situations must contain messages and be delivered in different language styles. Ask yourself these questions before you start writing a speech:
- Who is the audience that will listen to you make a speech?
- What is the purpose of introducing yourself?
- What do other people expect from your speech?
Step 2. Choose the things that are relevant
It's okay to give a speech about interesting things, if the time is long enough. However, a successful self-introduction speech is one that is short and to the point. Therefore, convey the things that are most important and relevant to the audience who wants to get to know you. Convey information as short as possible within the time available.
- When giving a speech, you can simply explain one or two important things about yourself. Maybe more, if there is still time.
- So that you don't just go into certain things that are too specific, find out in advance who your audience is and what the purpose of your speech is. For example, if you introduce yourself to potential investors, make it a priority to share your expertise in order to build their trust in you. However, if you introduce yourself in public, such as fellow students on campus, you are welcome to discuss broader matters.
- Remember that you want to fully introduce yourself and present yourself as pleasant and worthy of respect.
- For example, it's best not to talk about your hobby of playing basketball when introducing yourself in a professional setting.
Step 3. Determine the purpose and style of the speech
When preparing your speech, know exactly what your goals and results are. Ask yourself what message you want to convey to your audience. Do you want to introduce yourself in a professional community or to new friends in a relaxed atmosphere?
- By introducing yourself, do you want to convince someone of your opinion or as a boss who wants to inspire/motivate an employee to work hard?
- All of these things will affect what you need to say and how you make your speech.
Part 4 of 4: Delivering a Speech
Step 1. Relax
If you're feeling very anxious before your speech, try a brief relaxation beforehand. Find a quiet place to prepare yourself for a moment. Start by taking deep breaths while focusing on your breath and counting how many seconds you take a deep breath, then exhale slowly.
- You can also visualize to reduce anxiety and give you the confidence to give a speech.
- Imagine how you felt after you finished your speech, met smiling people, and heard applause. After that, channel your confidence into your speech.
Step 2. Use good body language
Even if it doesn't seem important, a slouched posture will give the impression that you lack confidence and are unprofessional, so that the audience is less interested in your appearance. Get used to standing up straight and give the impression that you are strong. You'll feel more comfortable if you puff out your chest a little and lock your abs to keep your back straight, but don't push yourself.
- Don't cross your arms or make a fist.
- Don't keep looking down, at the table, or keep staring at the boss in front of you.
- Make eye contact with the audience in the room so they feel included. Don't focus on a specific person, but don't stare at it aimlessly.
- Make eye contact with the people sitting on the left, then the right. Also look at the people sitting in the back with a look that makes them comfortable.
Step 3. Don't rush
Try to set the tempo of speech when giving a speech, not too slow, not too fast that you slip your tongue or no one understands what you are saying. Try to find a tempo that works best for you to speak comfortably. It's a good idea to speak a little slower so everyone can follow the word for word and understand what you're saying. But don't be so slow that your speech falters.
- Get used to talking at a tempo like you are comfortable in a conversation.
- One of the best ways to find out the best tempo is to practice speaking in front of other people or recording it, then listening again.
Step 4. Joke if you say something wrong
Don't panic if you say something wrong during a speech. Excessive apologies can actually make your mistake seem important and grab the attention of the audience. Instead, if you want to correct the mistake, apologize jokingly, then forget about it. This attitude is a way of showing calm and self-confidence.
- Being humble while joking can show that you are a humble and fun person. If along the way you forget and have to come back again, try saying, “Now, I have to step back a little because someone forgot. If you want to know more about me, this is it!"
- Alternatively, give a short, joking nod if you're confused, then move on. Let's say you just stood in front of an audience, but forgot the first sentence. Try saying, “Good morning/afternoon! Too excited to introduce myself, I forgot where to start. Let me try one more time."
- However, you don't need to overestimate yourself. Immediately continue because at this point, you must be able to convince the audience and make them remember what your strengths and competencies are.
Tips
- Your audience will ignore you if your speech is too long. Introductory speeches should be short and to the point.
- Don't be afraid to make a good impression of yourself as this is an important time to introduce yourself and make a good first impression.
- However, don't be arrogant and brag because the audience will ignore what you say.
