What NOT to Do

So here’s how I would introduce myself if I were introducing myself the way most people introduce themselves at networking events and professional associations.

Hi I’m T.J. Walker. I am president of Media Training Worldwide.

I founded the company and started training in 1984 and I provide a whole array of professional training services including public speaking media training crisis communications.

I’ve written numerous books on this subject and I really appreciate being here today and meeting all of you.

That’s how most people introduce themselves and you know what.

It’s awful.

It’s boring.

What’s wrong with the way I introduce myself there.

Well I started off and everything I said is about me and it was boring.

I started out with my name.

Well nobody at this stage of the relationship cares about my name.

They don’t care about your name either.

I gave my title no one really cares about title.

I talked about me me me me.

When I started my firm way back when.

Why in the world do I think anyone would care about that.

It’s boring.

It’s unmemorable.

Now if I gave an introduction just like that nobody would be thinking wow that guy’s awful.

That’s horrible.

That’s boring.

Wow.

He seemed rude.

I don’t think it would generate that sort of reaction the reaction it would generate.

Is it did it did it.

I’m thinking about what I’m going to say next.

I don’t even know if this guy it would it would create a response of nothing.

And that’s our real danger here folks.

Our danger is not breaking out with flop sweat fainting and having to be carted out of the room.

The real danger we have when we’re coming up with our introduction speech is that it’s just so boring.

Nobody remembers it even two seconds later and no one has a reason to come meet you.

So that’s it you don’t want in a moment I’m going to tell you the right way I’m and demonstrate the right way.

But I need you have a firm mental image of what not to do.

Don’t start with your name your rank your title the history of your company and an abstract list of services.

That’s what most people do.

Can tell you how many times I’ve been to a Chamber of Commerce event or other networking event and some lawyer will stand up.

My name is this name my firm is a g them and doing and how about a bar.

We do all the array of services of litigation and civil criminal.

And it sounds exactly like every single lawyer you’ve ever heard talking about a midsize or large firm.

There’s so salute or no differentiation there.

Nothing interesting.

It’s all generic.

Generic is your enemy when you’re introducing yourself.

People don’t remember it.

And let’s clarify your goal again is not to get through the introduction.

Your goal is not to embarrass people or embarrass yourself in the introduction.

Your goal is to help people remember something about you have something to talk about later.

Have a reason to come up to you.

Give you their card and start a conversation.

That is the goal of a self introduction.

So let’s be very clear on that.

So keep in mind what not to do.

I’m going to tell you what to do in just a moment.