Stop Making This Networking Mistake When Introducing Yourself

Key communication & networking strategies (self-confidence + productivity in conversation)

• Seek clarity instead of guessing

  • When someone asks a question, don’t assume what they mean.
  • Ask follow-up questions to clarify what they’re looking for so you can respond more precisely.

• Shift from “being interesting” to “being interested”

  • You don’t have to carry the conversation or be the one with the best stories.
  • People often love talking about themselves, so make it easier for others to open up.

• Use a simple, repeatable self-introduction structure

  • Keep it super simple:
    • Your name
    • What you do (organization/role)
    • One interesting “quirk” (light, playful detail)
  • Example:
    • “Hey, my name is Vin… I teach communication skills… I have a business called Stage… I’ve eaten a sandwich before.”

• Be prepared for the most common question

  • In group networking, the first prompt is usually something like:
    • “What do you do?”
    • “Tell us about yourself”
  • Have your basic intro ready so you’re not scrambling.

• Invite playfulness to create rapport

  • Add a small playful element (like the “quirk”) to reduce pressure and increase connection.

• Use the “conversation will come from them” mindset

  • Once you’ve set your intro, people will talk about themselves.
  • Follow up with questions about them and let the conversation flow naturally.

Action prompt (practice)

• Go practice the intro in a group during the next break (trial the simple “name + what you do + quirk” approach).

Presenters / sources

• Vin (speaker/coach)