Looking to introduce yourself effectively during your next Zoom or Teams meeting? Due to convenience, many business relationships begin virtually, even if they ultimately move to "real life” afterward. How you introduce yourself during video meetings is a critical first impression that can make a difference in others connecting with what you say. It is the first step in building relationships with prospects, clients, investors, hiring managers etc.
A little preparation goes a long way. Here are 5 tips to deliver your best, “Hello.”
Introducing yourself isn’t only important because it’s a first impression. It's your chance to decide what people should know about you. Moreover, you define the takeaway message they'll use to introduce you to others. Don’t underestimate the power you have here!
Above all, avoid selling yourself short with a generic “name, title, company” statement. No one needs your whole life story, but adding some detail can enrich and inform further conversation.
Consider the following introduction variations (and their impact):
It’s ok to default to "name, title, company,” when introductions are expected to be brief. (This is often cued by whoever is leading the meeting.) However, add a little something so you stand out. Look for appropriate opportunities to share more details during the meeting, tailored to the meeting purpose and attendees.
Before meeting people for the first time on video, ask yourself: what relationships am I looking to build here and what do others need to know about me to get the ball rolling? This requires understanding the audience. Different details will be important when introducing yourself to a potential client vs the new team you’re managing vs a hiring committee.
If feeling stuck, another way to identify your core message is by thinking ahead: how do you want to be known after this meeting? How should these new contacts introduce you to others in the future? Paying attention to how others introduce themselves (especially those you respect and admire) is also helpful for discerning what carries impact and what is best left unsaid.
Listen to Point Road Group's CEO and Founder Alyssa Gelbard explain how to strike the right balance between too little and too much information when you introduce yourself during video meetings or in-person.
Practice delivering your introduction in slightly shorter and longer lengths to be prepared for every scenario.
Rehearsing out loud is critical! Hearing yourself is best because we self-edit when practicing in our heads. This will also help you catch and clean up areas where you ramble or stumble over words. Practice until you sound confident and comfortable, not stiff and scripted. Remember: shorter phrasing makes a stronger impact over video.
Also slow down your pace and add a beat of silence between phrases. For fast talkers, this can take some practice, but it is worth it. How you introduce yourself is only as good as how others hear and understand it! Speaking slowly helps ensure no loss of key information, especially when there are connection lags or you are talking with non-native language speakers, such as during international video meetings.
Since Albert Mehrabian’s seminal study on how we communicate emotions, we know that nonverbals and body language significantly influence others’ perceptions of us. This is still relevant during Zoom and Teams meetings. Thanks to the camera and microphone, you transmit many of the same facial, body and vocal cues on-screen as you do in-person – albeit a bit differently – and this impacts the quality of your introduction.
The close-up nature of video meetings amplifies some nonverbal cues, making them more noticeable. Remember to sit up straight and minimize distracting expressions, gestures and tics. Look up, directly into the camera lens, to help viewers feel like you're making eye contact with them. This makes for a more personable delivery when you speak – something highly important when introducing yourself.
Video meetings have been around for a while, but some obvious reminders bear repeating based on recent observations:
Effective networking is all about developing strong relationships, beginning with effective introductions. Listen intently when others have the virtual floor, smiling and nodding to convey attentiveness and engagement. People will be more invested in what you share when the interest is mutual. Eliminate visual distractions beforehand (e.g., turn phones face down and turn off email notifications) as they can easily throw off eye contact and unintentionally imply that you’re not paying attention.
When meeting multiple people at once, jotting down a quick note or two during each person’s introduction can be a helpful way to remind you about key details you want to mention when following up afterward via email or LinkedIn.
How well you introduce yourself during a video meeting can impact a prospect wanting to have a follow-up conversation or a client later referring you to others. What you say in your introduction lays the groundwork for building relationships.
Don’t default to the same old script! Take time to think about your audience and what they should know to kick off the conversation. Be concise and consider the unique nature of video meetings with your delivery. Then, with confidence and clarity, make a great introduction that sparks further connection and drives new relationships forward.
Improving how you introduce yourself is one of the ways Point Road Group helps people strengthen their personal brands to achieve business and professional goals.
Ready to see what we can do for you and your team? Contact us today.
