State your name in the very first sentence of your speech. This can be very straightforward: “Good afternoon!/Good morning! My name is Deshawn Smith, and I am a computer programming student at the University of Arkansas. " If the introduction is work-related, mention your interests and your career goals together in the same sentence. This will save on time and convey that your personal interests can serve your professional goals. For example, “I am working on an app that allows people to order pizza from their Twitter account. " You may want to mention your education or professional training background, if it is relevant and appropriate. [2] X Research source “This is the fifth app I’ve designed. My second app, which helped people locate dog parks near them, won an award at my university. "
If you are explaining your passion or goal and how it helped formed your progression up to this point, that can help you tell a compelling story about yourself. For example, if you’re writing a speech for your college speech class, you might want to explain how you got into computers at an early age and why they’re important to you now as you pursue your career goals. If, however, you are introducing yourself to potential clients at a business lunch, they are probably not interested in your hobbies. They will want to know what you are doing right now and what your skills are. Try writing one draft with your experience/hobbies and one without, and run both versions by an objective listener who can give you feedback before your speech. [3] X Research source
Highlight the qualities, skills and experience you have that are most relevant for the audience and occasion. For example, “Because of my background in app writing and my extensive network of professional connections, I have a strong grasp of what today’s young professionals are looking for. My apps offer convenience and immediate gratification. " You are trying to present yourself as a professional while making a strong and lasting impression. If you’re trying to sell yourself to a group of new colleagues, you probably won’t need to tell them about your family life, or anything outside of work that isn’t directly relevant. [4] X Research source
You can simultaneously demonstrate your skills and experience, while presenting yourself as a forward-looking person who is always learning and developing. [5] X Research source For example, you could say, “I spend a lot of time attending app conventions and conferences so I can learn what audiences are looking for. I pride myself on staying on the cutting edge of app design. " Try to tie this into your broader outline of your career goals and personal development.
Make sure that if this is an assignment, you stay within the assigned guidelines. If your speech is supposed to be 3-5 minutes, a 7-minute speech and a 2-minute speech are equally inappropriate. If you are giving a brief introductory speech in an interview, be certain that you don’t go over the recommended time.
Avoid long rambling sentences, and use direct and concise prose as much as possible. Think about your sentence structure carefully. Reading your speech out loud will help you determine when you have overly long sentences that need to be restructured.
Practicing in front of other people will enable you to gauge whether your speech captures the interest of your listeners. Think about which parts of the speech were successful and which parts weren’t. Try to get as much detailed feedback as possible by asking specific as well as general questions after your speech. [9] X Research source As well as saying “how did you like the speech?”, ask specifically what parts were the strongest and weakest. Check that you delivered a clear message by asking your practice audience what they took away from the speech.
If you are staring down at a piece of paper all the time, the audience might struggle to truly engage with what you are saying. You can, however, bring an index card with bullet points, just in case you freeze up. You shouldn’t write your whole speech on the card, just the main points you hope to cover. Think of the card as a point of reference, rather than a backup for your speech. [10] X Research source
Who is the intended audience? What is the purpose of my introduction? What are the expectations others may have?[12] X Research source
Stick to one or two main points you want to convey about yourself. You can always add more if time allows it. Depending on the audience and function of your speech, you shouldn’t allow the focus to become too narrow. For example, if you’re introducing yourself to a crowd of prospective investors, you’d focus on your skills to build their confidence in you. If you’re introducing yourself to a general audience – say, for a speech class in college – you can be a bit more wide-ranging. Remember that you’re introducing yourself in general, and you want to present yourself as an interesting and rounded individual. [13] X Research source That doesn’t mean you should spend time talking about your love of baseball when you are introducing yourself in a professional scenario.
Are you hoping to win someone over to your point of view with this introduction, or to inspire/motivate someone to work hard under your leadership? All of these will affect the things you say in your introduction and the way you say them. [14] X Research source
You can also try some visualization techniques to help ease your nervousness and give you confidence for your speech. Imagine the way you will feel when you have finished delivering your speech and are met with smiling faces and resounding applause. Then channel that confidence into the actual speech you are about to deliver. [16] X Research source
Avoid crossing your arms or clutching your hands. [19] X Research source Don’t stare down at the ground or cling to the table or lecture in front of you. Make eye contact across the room in a measured and controlled way. Avoid lingering on one person, but also avoid darting your eyes back and forth restlessly. Try making eye contact with one person on the left side of the room, then one person on the right side of the room. Shift across the room, but in a controlled way that feels natural and relaxed. [20] X Research source
Aim for a comfortable, conversational pace of dialogue. [21] X Research source Practicing your speech in front of other people, or recording it and listening back are great ways to judge the tempo of your speech.
Self-deprecating humor can help you come across as humble and likable. For example, if you’ve accidentally skipped forward in your speech and have to circle back, you could say something like, “And now I’m going to cycle back and tell you something I forgot before. If you wanted to get to know the “real me,” you’re seeing it now!"[23] X Research source You can also make a quick, humorous nod to your mistake and move on. For example, if you come out and you mess up the very first line, you could say something like, “Wow, excuse me. Here I am so excited to tell you about myself that I’ve mixed up all my words. Let me try that again. " Don’t be too self-deprecating, however. You are still trying to ensure people remember you for your strengths and competencies. Move on quickly.
