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About Me Slides: How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

From conference talks to client demos, it’s always essential to include an About Me slide in any presentation you are giving. Introducing yourself early into the presentation helps build a better rapport with the audience.

You can start with several fun facts about me slide to break the ice or go for a more formal professional bio to explain your background and what makes you qualified to talk about the topic at hand. At any rate, your goal is to get the audience on your side by revealing some of your personality. 

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation: 4 Approaches 

It’s a good practice to include self-introduction slides at the beginning of your presentation. If you are looking to answer how to introduce yourself professionally, typically somewhere after the title, opening slide , and the main agenda. However, the presentation structure will be somewhat different depending on whether you are presenting to a new audience or a group of people familiar with (e.g., your team, clients, or business partners). 

Here are four about me slide ideas you can try out, plus an About me template you can use to present yourself in a presentation. 

1. Mention Your Name and Affiliations

Start with the introduction basics. State your name, company, title/position, and several quick facts about who you are and what you do. Even if you present to a familiar audience, a brief recap is always welcome. 

To keep things a bit more engaging, consider adding some lesser-known facts about yourself. For example:

• Your interests 
• Recent accomplishments
• Testimonial/quote from a team member 
• Fun nicknames you got 

The above can be nice ice breakers for less formal team presentations, project updates, or catch-ups with clients. 

Here are several unique About Me examples you can try out:

For a client case study presentation : 

“Hi, I’m Lynda, Chief Customer Success Specialist with Acme Corp. (Also, someone you thought was a chatbot for the first few encounters)

47 NPS | 15% Churn Rate | 40% repeat purchase rate”

For a team after-action review presentation :

Mike, Project Manager at Cool Project

(aka Maximizer)

Personal Project stats:

387 Slack messages answered

56 cups of coffee consumed

Project profit gross margin: $1.2 million 

2. Work On Your Elevator Pitch 

One of the best ways to introduce yourself in a presentation is to share a punchy elevator pitch. This works extra well if you are presenting to a new audience. 

An elevator pitch is a concise statement (1-2 sentences) that summarizes your unique strengths, skills, and abilities and explains how these can benefit your listener. 

It’s nice to have one ready for your presentations and networking in general since it helps you immediately connect with new people and communicate your value. 

Writing a solid elevator pitch may require several attempts and iterations. But the sooner you start — the faster you’ll arrive at the best formula! 

To get your creative juices flowing, here are several elevator pitch ideas you can incorporate in an introduction slide about yourself. 

For professionals: 

“Certified Salesforce Administrator, data visualization specialist, and analytics for top SaaS brands. I help businesses make more sense of their data to drive better outcomes”.

For a mentor :

“Adjunct professor of creative writing at Columbia University, published author, former lifestyle editor at Esquire, the New York Times. I can teach you how to find, shape, pitch, and publish stories for web & print.”

For a student: 

“Third-year Marine Biology student at Denver State Uni. Volunteer at Lake Life Protection NGO, climate change activist, looking to expand my research about water conservation”.

3. Answer Popular Questions or Assumptions 

If you are a frequent presenter , chances are you get asked a lot of the same “About Me questions” after your speeches and during the networking bits. So why not address a roaster of these in your About Me slide? Select 4-5 most common questions and list them as quick FAQs on your slide deck. 

4. Focus on Telling a Story 

Strong introductions are personable. They are meant to offer a sneak-peak into your personality and the passion behind your work. That’s why for less formal presentations, you can (and should!) start with a short personal story. 

Remember: reliability is important to “click” with your audience. 

For instance, neuroscience research of political ads recently found that ads featuring real people performed better than those with genetic stock footage. Among viewers, emotional engagement and memory encoding (recall) increased dramatically when political ads showed relatable people. 

The same holds true for commerce. In 2015, GE launched a viral “What’s the Matter With Owen?” video ad series to attract more young talent to the company. The clips featured a relatable protagonist, struggling to explain what his work at GE entails e.g. that the company isn’t building railroads, but actually does some very innovative pilots. Many engineers related to the promo and work applications to GE shoot up by 800% ! 

As the above examples show, a good relatable story can go a long way. So think about how you can make a PowerPoint presentation about yourself more representative of who you really are as a person. 

How to Give a Presentation About Yourself: 4 Fool-Proof Tips

On other occasions, you may be asked to give a full-length “about me” presentation. Typically, this is the case during a second interview, onboarding , or if you are in attending a training program or workshop where everyone needs to present themselves and their work. 

Obviously, you’ll need more than one good about me slide in this case. So here’s how to prepare a superb presentation about me. 

What to Put in a Presentation About Yourself?

The audience will expect to learn a mix of personal and professional facts about you. Thus, it’s a good idea to include the following information: 

• Your name, contact info, website , social media handles, digital portfolio .
• Short bio or some interesting snippets. 
• Career timeline (if applicable).
• Main achievements (preferably quantifiable).
• Education, special training.
• Digital badging awards , accolades, and other types of recognition.
• Something more personal — an interest, hobby, aspiration. 

The above mix of items will change a bit, depending on whether you are giving an interview presentation about yourself or introduce yourself post-hiring. For example, in some cases a dedicated bio slide may be useful, but other times focusing on main achievements and goals can be better.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at how to organize the above information in a memorable presentation. 

P.S. Grab an about me slide template to make the design process easier! 

1. Create a List of “Facts About Me”

The easiest way to answer the “tell me about yourself” question is by having an array of facts you can easily fetch from your brain. 

When it comes to a full-length about me presentation , it’s best to have a longer list ready. To keep your brainstorming process productive, organize all your ideas in the following buckets: 

• Key skills (soft and hard)
• Educational accolades, training
• Accomplishments and other “bragging rights”
• Personal tidbits (a.k.a. fun facts ) 

Once you have a list, it gets easier to build a series of slides around it. 

2. Think Like Your Audience 

Most likely you’d be asked to make a presentation about yourself by a recruiter. There’s a good reason why many ask this — they want to determine if you are a good “cultural fit” for their organization. 

After all, 33% of people quit within the first 3 months of accepting a new job. Among these:

• 43% of employees quit because their day-to-day role was different than what they were told it would be during the hiring process.
• 32% cite company culture as a factor for leaving within the first three months. 

About me presentations often serve as an extra “filter” helping both parties ensure that they are on the same page expectations- and work style-wise. Thus, when you prepare your slide deck, do some background company research. Then try to align the presentation with it by matching the company tone, communication style, and cultural values. 

3. Include Testimonials and Recommendations

Use the voice of others to back up the claims you are making in your presentation. After all, trumping your own horn is what you are expected to do in such a presentation. But the voices of others can strengthen the claims you are personally making. 

Depending on your role and industry, try to sprinkle some of the following testimonials: 

• LinkedIn recommendations
• Quotes from personal or professional references
• Social media comments 
• Data metrics of your performance
• Funny assessments from your colleagues/friends 

The above not just strengthen your narrative, but also help the audience learn some extras about you and your background. Testimonial slides can be of help for this purpose.

4. Include a Case Study 

One of the best ways to illustrate who you are is to show what you are best in. Remember, an about me presentation often needs to “soft sell” your qualifications, experience, and personality. 

One of the best ways to do that is to showcase how you can feel in a specific need and solve issues the business is facing. 

So if you have the timeframe, use some of the ending slides to deliver a quick case study. You can present: 

• Short retrospective of a past successful project
• Before-after transformations you’ve achieved 
• Spotlight of the main accomplishments within the previous role 
• Main customer results obtained
• Specific solution delivered by you (or the team you’ve worked with) 

Ending your presentation on such a high note will leave the audience positively impressed and wondering what results you could achieve for them.

To Conclude 

It’s easy to feel stumped when you are asked to talk about yourself. Because there are so many things you could mention (but not necessarily should). At the same time, you don’t want to make your introduction sound like a bragging context. So always think from the position of your audience. Do the facts you choose to share benefit them in any way? If yes, place them confidently on your About Me slides! 

1. Personal Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

3. Meet the Team PowerPoint Template Slides

4. Introduce Company Profile PowerPoint Template

5. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

6. Modern Resume Presentation Template

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How to Make a Very Good PowerPoint Presentation About Yourself in 2023 (+ Video)

Learn how to make a presentation about yourself in PowerPoint. Use this handy technique for company presentations, sales pitches, or even school projects.

Creating a presentation about yourself may seem like a daunting task. After all, talking about yourself is a nerve-racking experience for even experienced speakers. But when you take the time to prepare and plan ahead, you can nail it.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to prepare a good presentation about yourself . We’ll cover tips for introducing yourself, preparing your who am I presentation, incorporating your accomplishments, and more.

How to Quickly Make an About Me Presentation With PowerPoint PPT Templates (Video)

Giving an about me presentation can be stressful–especially if that presentation is about yourself. An “about me” presentation is easier with templates. Learn more in this short video:

For even more tips on how to make a presentation about yourself, keep reading the tutorial below.

How to Prepare a Good Presentation About Yourself

With proper preparation and planning, you can easily create a great creative self-introduction PPT presentation. Here’s how:

1. Decide Which Information to Include in the Presentation

The first step in creating an about me presentation is to decide which information you want to include. While this may be a presentation about you, that doesn’t mean you need to include your whole life story. Only choose to include information that’s relevant to the audience.

If you’re giving an about me presentation in a business conference, focus on your skills and education. Explain how they’re relevant to the topic. If you’re giving a who am I presentation in a local community meetup, then it makes more sense to focus on your involvement in the community.

2. Prepare & Design the All About Myself PowerPoint Presentation

Before you create the all about myself PowerPoint presentation, write the contents first. Once you know which information to include, put it in bullet point format to make it easier for your audience to follow.

Once you’ve prepared the content, start designing your about me presentation in PowerPoint. The easiest way to design your presentation is with a premade PowerPoint template.

3. Create Your Introduction

Your introduction will be the first thing your audience will hear. As such, your introduction slide about yourself needs to pique their interest and make you feel relatable. This will build trust with your audience. It’ll also help you keep the audience engaged throughout the who am I presentation. Plus, it’ll make you more memorable long after the presentation is over.

A great way to kick off the introduction to your creative self-introduction PPT is to tie yourself to the topic and then tie the topic to the audience. Start by stating your name and job title and then share a random or a fun fact about you. Then, transition into the main part of your presentation about yourself.

4. Sell Yourself & Talk About Your Accomplishments

One of the hardest parts of your all about myself presentation is selling yourself and talking about your accomplishments. An easy way to do this is to highlight the results you’ve gotten for your clients. Accompany them with testimonials on your about me presentation slides.

You can also share your accomplishments and skills by providing value first. Then, talk about how you got there before transitioning into the actual accomplishment list.

5. Adapt Your About Me Presentation for Different Lengths

Be sure to tweak and adapt your presentation for different lengths. For example, a one-minute presentation about yourself is enough to state your name and job title and share a relevant fact about yourself. A five-minute presentation allows you to include more information, such as your professional achievements or your related work.

It’s a good idea to inquire about the length of time you’ll have available. Plan your presentation for that time slot.

6. Engage the Audience Before the Start

Engage your audience before you start the all about myself PowerPoint presentation. You can do this by:

• telling a story related to the presentation itself
• sharing a statistic from your industry
• mentioning a compelling quote
• asking the audience to introduce themselves

This turns your audience into active participants. They’ll be more likely to stay engaged throughout the about me professional presentation.

7. Give the Self-Introduction Speech

Once you’ve introduced yourself and gotten your audience engaged, it’s time to give the self-introduction speech. During this part, make eye contact with your audience. Keep the about me presentation informative without bragging.

Refer them back to the introduction slide about yourself or the handout for any extra information. This way you can keep your about me professional presentation succinct. Keep some relevant information for later parts of the presentation. Revealing everything at once will make your presentation less interesting.

8. Nail the Conclusion

You’ve hooked your audience with a great introduction slide about yourself, you gave the talk and kept your audience engaged. Now is the time to nail the conclusion. Start by asking your audience if they’ve got any questions and encourage them to start the discussion.

Once you’ve answered their question, let them know what’s the next step and what they should do. Be sure to include this information on the final slide as well as on the handout.

9. Establish a Personal Connection With Your Audience

A personal connection with your audience will make them trust you more and remember you and your all about myself PowerPoint presentation. A few ways to establish a personal connection include:

• sharing a few fun facts about yourself
• asking your audience to share their name
• using humor to break the ice
• maintaining eye contact throughout the presentation

10. Practice With a Friend

To make sure that your who am I presentation goes smoothly, practice it with a friend. Not only will you be able to deliver your presentation without awkward pauses, but your friend or coworker can give you valuable pointers.

Practice your about me professional presentation well in advance to have plenty of time to prepare.

11. Make Them Laugh

We’ve already mentioned using humor to break the ice and to establish a personal connection with your audience. Humor makes you more relatable and can make any topic more interesting. Use humor sparingly and tastefully, otherwise your jokes will miss the mark.

12. Keep Your Audience In Mind

Your about me presentation should be tailored to your audience. For example, if you’re delivering your presentation in a formal setting with a corporate audience, keep the tone professional.

Get familiar with your audience before you start preparing your about me slide template. This knowledge can serve as your guide. It’ll help you decide which information you should include. Plus, you can decide what style and tone of voice to use. Understanding the audience is a must before including humor and cultural references in your all about myself PowerPoint presentation.

13. Show Your Passion

Show your passion. Everyone has a passion for something, whether it’s your job, your hobby or a cause you care about. When you show passion, people see you as more relatable. This helps form that personal connection and establishes trust, especially if they share your passion.

Think about how your passion relates to your professional achievements as well. This can serve as an unusual but more memorable way to deliver your presentation and talk about yourself.

14. Pay Attention to How the Presentation Looks

Sure, the presentation is about you. But that doesn’t mean that how it looks is unimportant. You want to make a good impression. The best way to do that is by using a professionally designed template such as those available from Envato Elements.

So, if you haven’t already done so, switch your information over to a professionally designed about me PowerPoint. You’ll learn more about professionally designed templates in the next section.

How to Make an About Me Presentation With PowerPoint Quickly

Now that you know the basics of what should be included in your about me presentation, let’s go through the steps of actually creating it. The easiest way to start is with a premium template. For this tutorial, I’ll use the Amarish PowerPoint Template .

It’s a modern and clean design with 30 slides and five color variations for a grand total of 150+ slides.

1. Decide on Your Slides

As mentioned earlier, the Amarish template comes with 30 slides, but chances are you won’t need all of them. The first thing you should do is delete unnecessary slides. You can easily delete a slide by right-clicking on it and pressing Delete Slide .

2. Customize the Title Slide

Once you’ve decided on the slides you want to keep, take some time to customize the title slide. You’ll want to include your name and a nice profile photo of you. To customize the text, double-click the title and then enter your name. To add your photo, click on the picture icon and select a photo from your computer. Then, press Insert .

3. Add Your Content

The next step is to add your content to the presentation. Like the title slide, all you’ve got to do is double-click text, press CTRL+A to select all of it, and then enter your text.

As you’re entering the content, you can also customize the fonts used in the presentation about yourself. Simply select a different font from the drop-down menu.

4. Highlight Your Achievements With a Timeline Slide

Make sure to include a timeline slide to highlight your achievements. This is a great way to showcase important dates and milestones in your career.

The Amarish template comes with a stunning timeline slide that’s easy to customize. All you’ve got to do is edit the text and the years to match your milestones. If you wish, you can customize the color used to represent the milestone by selecting the circle and selecting Format Shape . Then, set the Fill option to your preferred color.

5. Customize the Style

The last step is to customize the style of your presentation. The easiest way to do this is to change out the colors used in your presentation about yourself. All you’ve got to do is right-click on a colored shape and select the Format Shape option. Then, choose your preferred color for the Fill color.

Or click on the Design tab and then press the down arrow on the Variants tab and hover over Colors . Choose a different color theme to quickly change colors throughout the presentation.

Best PowerPoint Templates for an About Me Presentation (With Unlimited Use)

A good place to find templates for PowerPoint presentations about yourself is Envato Elements. They’ve got a great offer you can take advantage of today: download as many presentation templates as you want for one low price.

Find PowerPoint Templates

A subscription is great if you need a range of template designs for several about me presentations.

How to Start a Presentation About Yourself (8 Quick Design Tips)

One of the best ways to start a presentation about yourself is to start with a premade presentation template designed for PowerPoint. The benefit of working with an about me PowerPoint template is that you don’t have to start from scratch. This means you’ll be able to create your about me professional presentation much faster.

PowerPoint templates come with various slide designs that you can use to share information. Just customize the design with your text and your choice of colors and fonts.

Once you’ve got a PowerPoint template to use as a starting point, there are a few design tips to keep in mind so you can create a good presentation about yourself:

1. Create a Visual Hierarchy

A visual hierarchy is where you arrange the elements by priority. When you arrange the elements on your about me slide template by importance and relevance, you create a logical structure for the information on your slide.

Creating a visual hierarchy helps your audience understand your main ideas and follow your topic.

2. Use Unique Fonts

On Envato Elements, many about me slide templates come with unique fonts that you can download. Also, Envato Elements has thousands of unique, downloadable fonts.

Use fonts to create a specific mood or meaning. People are used to repeatedly seeing the same default fonts, so using a unique font makes it more memorable.

3. Keep Text Down to a Minimum

Resist the temptation to include all the information on your slides. Not only will this overwhelm your audience, but you also run the risk of your audience getting bored as they’ve read what’s on the slide and are now waiting for you to move on to the next one. Share the main idea on the slide and then elaborate in your speech.

4. Increase the Font Size

Keep in mind that your about me professional presentation will most likely be viewed on a screen or a wall. And not everyone will have a seat that’s front and center. So, you need to increase your font size to at least 28px so even those who are further away can still read what’s on the slide.

5. Mind Your Photos

Crisp, clear images are an important part of a PowerPoint about yourself .

Use high-quality photos. You’ll want to make sure that your photos aren’t blurry and are well-lit so everyone can see the subject of your photo.

6. Ensure There’s Plenty of Contrast

For best practices, make sure there’s enough contrast between your slide background and the text. Black text on white background works well and maintains legibility. This will ensure that everyone can read the contents of your presentation.

7. Be Careful With Colors

When used right, colors can add wonderful accents to your presentation about yourself .

Use colors that reflect your personal brand. But don’t go overboard as too much color will distract your audience. Use color as an accent in headings or to add a border around your page instead of as a full slide background.

8. Reduce Your Use of Bullet Points

Bullet Points have been a staple for a long time in the presentation world. They’re a great way to add visual interest. But now they’ve gone out of style. There are other ways to add visual interest.

When designing your about me slides, try not to use too many bullet points. If you’ve got information but don’t know how to present it without bullet points, know that there are other tools you can use. One of the tools you can use in your about me presentation is icons. They add visual interest to your slide and can look clean and simple. Icons also anchor information while making it quickly digestible.

5 Top PowerPoint Templates From Envato Elements for 2023

If you’re looking to make a great PowerPoint presentation about yourself, an about me PowerPoint template is the best way to get started. Look at some of the best PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements. Use these to make a very good PowerPoint presentation about yourself:

1. Style Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

The Style PowerPoint template has a versatile design that can be used for any type of presentation. It comes with image placeholders for easy editing and 4000 total slides. So, you can include all the relevant information in your presentation.

It was designed in widescreen resolution. The template also comes with two color schemes, subtle animations, and custom icons.

2. Muli Minimalist PowerPoint Template

The Muli template has a minimal yet creative design. It would work well for freelancers in the creative industry and anyone who wants to show off their portfolio. The template was designed in widescreen resolution. It includes 90 unique slides and image placeholders.

3. Karmel Stylish PowerPoint Template

If you’re looking for a stylish PowerPoint template, the Karmel template could be perfect for you. It’s got elegant and modern typography and image placeholders for easy editing. The template includes more than 50 unique slides and was designed in widescreen resolution.

4. Rockstar Bold PowerPoint Template

Try the Rockstar PowerPoint template if you’re looking for a bold and edgy design. The template comes with more than 150 unique slides designed in widescreen resolution. You’ll also find image placeholders, five color variations, and editable graphic elements.

5. Retro PowerPoint Template

The Retro PowerPoint template has a simple but attractive design. It comes with 30 slides in total with image placeholders. The template was designed in widescreen resolution. It’s got plenty of custom elements to make your presentation about yourself even more memorable.

Common PowerPoint Questions Answered (FAQ)

If you’re thinking about using PowerPoint for your presentation, you probably have a lot of questions. Here, we’ve gathered up some of the most common questions people ask about Microsoft PowerPoint to provide you with some answers:

1. Can I Use Microsoft PowerPoint for Free?

The only way to use PowerPoint used to be by buying a subscription to Microsoft Office. You can use Microsoft PowerPoint for free through the online app. Keep in mind that you won’t have all the features as you would with the desktop version. But if all you need is basic functionality, it’ll come in handy.

2. Can I Add Charts to Microsoft PowerPoint?

Adding charts to Microsoft PowerPoint is easy and allows you to present your data in a visually appealing way. We’ve got a detailed tutorial that shows you how to make great charts in PowerPoint.

3. Can I Edit the Layouts Easily?

Premium Microsoft PowerPoint templates come with pre-built slide layouts that make creating a great presentation easy. But you’re not limited to those layouts. Easily manipulate them and edit them to your liking. We’ve got a tutorial that walks you through the process .

4. How Do I Learn PowerPoint Quickly?

PowerPoint is a powerful program with lots of features. This can be somewhat of an obstacle if you need to learn PowerPoint quickly and make a presentation. Getting familiar with the basics is the best way to speed up the process and learn PowerPoint quickly .

5. How Do I Make My Text More Appealing in PowerPoint

Working with text in PowerPoint is pretty straightforward. There are plenty of features hidden in PowerPoint that can help you make your text stand out more. From customizing how your text looks to using shapes to add subtle color backdrops and shadows, there are many ways to highlight text in PowerPoint.

Learn More About Using PowerPoint

Now you know how to make a who am I presentation about yourself. You’ve seen how you can easily create one with the help of a template, it’s time to learn more about using PowerPoint . Knowing how to use PowerPoint will help you design your presentation faster. We’ve got plenty of tutorials to help you along.

From learning how to make a good presentation design even better to using PowerPoint to make a great business presentation , there’s plenty to learn when it comes to PowerPoint:

Don’t Miss Our Free Online Presentation Guide

Do you want to learn even more about presentations? We’ve got the resource for you! We’ll take you through the complete process to get you ready for your next about me presentation in PPT—from start to finish.

Don’t miss our free online presentation guide, The Complete Guide to Making Great Business Presentations . It’s chock full of powerful presentation advice to help you make your next presentation about yourself your best yet.

Get Started on Your PowerPoint Presentation About Yourself Today

Creating a very good and engaging presentation about yourself can be daunting. But once you know what to include and put in place basic design principles along with a premade template, this task becomes easier.

With the tips shared in this tutorial, you’ll create a presentation about yourself that your audience enjoys. The only thing left to do now is to find the perfect PowerPoint template for the task.

Get started with one of our premium PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements. You’ll get access to unlimited templates for one low monthly fee.

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The self presentation theory and how to present your best self

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What does self presentation mean?

What are self presentation goals, individual differences and self presentation.

How can you make the most of the self presentation theory at work?  

We all want others to see us as confident, competent, and likeable — even if we don’t necessarily feel that way all the time. In fact, we make dozens of decisions every day — whether consciously or unconsciously — to get people to see us as we want to be seen. But is this kind of self presentation dishonest? Shouldn’t we just be ourselves?

Success requires interacting with other people. We can’t control the other side of those interactions. But we can think about how the other person might see us and make choices about what we want to convey. 

Self presentation is any behavior or action made with the intention to influence or change how other people see you. Anytime we're trying to get people to think of us a certain way, it's an act of self presentation. Generally speaking, we work to present ourselves as favorably as possible. What that means can vary depending on the situation and the other person.

Although at first glance this may seem disingenuous, we all engage in self-presentation. We want to make sure that we show up in a way that not only makes us look good, but makes us feel good about ourselves.

Early research on self presentation focused on narcissism and sociopathy, and how people might use the impression others have of them to manipulate others for their benefit. However, self presentation and manipulation are distinct. After all, managing the way others see us works for their benefit as well as ours.

Imagine, for example, a friend was complaining to you about   a tough time they were having at work . You may want to show up as a compassionate person. However, it also benefits your friend — they feel heard and able to express what is bothering them when you appear to be present, attentive, and considerate of their feelings. In this case, you’d be conscious of projecting a caring image, even if your mind was elsewhere, because you value the relationship and your friend’s experience.

To some extent, every aspect of our lives depends on successful self-presentation. We want our families to feel that we are worthy of attention and love. We present ourselves as studious and responsible to our teachers. We want to seem fun and interesting at a party, and confident at networking events. Even landing a job depends on you convincing the interviewer that you are the best person for the role.

There are three main reasons why people engage in self presentation:

Tangible or social benefits:

In order to achieve the results we want, it often requires that we behave a certain way. In other words, certain behaviors are desirable in certain situations. Matching our behavior to the circumstances can help us connect to others,   develop a sense of belonging , and attune to the needs and feelings of others.

Example:   Michelle is   a new manager . At her first leadership meeting, someone makes a joke that she doesn’t quite get. When everyone else laughs, she smiles, even though she’s not sure why.

By laughing along with the joke, Michelle is trying to fit in and appear “in the know.” Perhaps more importantly, she avoids feeling (or at least appearing) left out, humorless, or revealing that she didn’t get it — which may hurt her confidence and how she interacts with the group in the future.

To facilitate social interaction:

As mentioned, certain circumstances and roles call for certain behaviors. Imagine a defense attorney. Do you think of them a certain way? Do you have expectations for what they do — or don’t — do? If you saw them frantically searching for their car keys, would you feel confident with them defending your case?

If the answer is no, then you have a good idea of why self presentation is critical to social functioning. We’re surprised when people don’t present themselves in a way that we feel is consistent with the demands of their role. Having an understanding of what is expected of you — whether at home, work, or in relationships — may help you succeed by inspiring confidence in others.

Example:   Christopher has always been called a “know-it-all.” He reads frequently and across a variety of topics, but gets nervous and tends to talk over people. When attending a networking event, he is uncharacteristically quiet. Even though he would love to speak up, he’s afraid of being seen as someone who “dominates” the conversation. 

Identity Construction:

It’s not enough for us to declare who we are or what we want to be — we have to take actions consistent with that identity. In many cases, we also have to get others to buy into this image of ourselves as well. Whether it’s a personality trait or a promotion, it can be said that we’re not who   we   think we are, but who others see.

Example:   Jordan is interested in moving to a client-facing role. However, in their last performance review, their manager commented that Jordan seemed “more comfortable working independently.” 

Declaring themselves a “people person” won’t make Jordan’s manager see them any differently. In order to gain their manager’s confidence, Jordan will have to show up as someone who can comfortably engage with clients and thrive in their new role.

We may also use self presentation to reinforce a desired identity for ourselves. If we want to accomplish something, make a change, or   learn a new skill , making it public is a powerful strategy. There's a reason why people who share their goals are more likely to be successful. The positive pressure can help us stay accountable to our commitments in a way that would be hard to accomplish alone.

Example:   Fatima wants to run a 5K. She’s signed up for a couple before, but her perfectionist tendencies lead her to skip race day because she feels she hasn’t trained enough. However, when her friend asks her to run a 5K with her, she shows up without a second thought.

In Fatima’s case, the positive pressure — along with the desire to serve a more important value (friendship) — makes showing up easy.

Because we spend so much time with other people (and our success largely depends on what they think of us), we all curate our appearance in one way or another. However, we don’t all desire to have people see us in the same way or to achieve the same goals. Our experiences and outcomes may vary based on a variety of factors.

One important factor is our level of self-monitoring when we interact with others. Some people are particularly concerned about creating a good impression, while others are uninterested. This can vary not only in individuals, but by circumstances.   A person may feel very confident at work , but nervous about making a good impression on a first date.

Another factor is self-consciousness — that is, how aware people are of themselves in a given circumstance. People that score high on scales of public self-consciousness are aware of how they come across socially. This tends to make it easier for them to align their behavior with the perception that they want others to have of them.

Finally, it's not enough to simply want other people to see you differently. In order to successfully change how other people perceive you, need to have three main skills: 

1. Perception and empathy

Successful self-presentation depends on being able to correctly perceive   how people are feeling , what's important to them, and which traits you need to project in order to achieve your intended outcomes.

2. Motivation

If we don’t have a compelling reason to change the perception that others have of us, we are not likely to try to change our behavior. Your desire for a particular outcome, whether it's social or material, creates a sense of urgency.

3.  A matching skill set

You’ve got to be able to walk the talk. Your actions will convince others more than anything you say. In other words, you have to provide evidence that you are the person you say you are. You may run into challenges if you're trying to portray yourself as skilled in an area where you actually lack experience.

How can you make the most of the self presentation theory at work?

At its heart, self presentation requires a high-level of self awareness and empathy. In order to make sure that we're showing up as our best in every circumstance — and with each person — we have to be aware of our own motivation as well as what would make the biggest difference to the person in front of us.

Here are 6 strategies to learn to make the most of the self-presentation theory in your career:

1. Get feedback from people around you

Ask a trusted friend or mentor to share what you can improve. Asking for feedback about specific experiences, like a recent project or presentation, will make their suggestions more relevant and easier to implement.

2. Study people who have been successful in your role

Look at how they interact with other people. How do you perceive them? Have they had to cultivate particular skills or ways of interacting with others that may not have come easily to them?

3. Be yourself

Look for areas where you naturally excel and stand out. If you feel comfortable, confident, and happy, you’ll have an easier time projecting that to others. It’s much harder to present yourself as confident when you’re uncomfortable.

4. Be aware that you may mess up

As you work to master new skills and ways of interacting with others,   keep asking for feedback . Talk to your manager, team, or a trusted friend about how you came across. If you sense that you’ve missed the mark, address it candidly. People will understand, and you’ll learn more quickly.

Try saying, “I hope that didn’t come across as _______. I want you to know that…”

5. Work with a coach

Coaches are skilled in interpersonal communication and committed to your success. Roleplay conversations to see how they land, and practice what you’ll say and do in upcoming encounters. Over time, a coach will also begin to know you well enough to notice patterns and suggest areas for improvement.

6. The identity is in the details

Don’t forget about the other aspects of your presentation. Take a moment to visualize yourself being the way that you want to be seen. Are there certain details that would make you feel more like that person? Getting organized, refreshing your wardrobe, rewriting your resume, and even cleaning your home office can all serve as powerful affirmations of your next-level self.

Self presentation is defined as the way we try to control how others see us, but it’s just as much about how we see ourselves. It is a skill to achieve a level of comfort with who we are   and   feel confident to choose how we self-present. Consciously working to make sure others get to see the very best of you is a wonderful way to develop into the person you want to be.

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Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

Impression management: Developing your self-presentation skills

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation: Guide to a Killer Opener

Hrideep barot.

• Body Language & Delivery , Speech Writing

Not sure how to introduce yourself in a presentation? Hang on till the end of this article.

Giving a presentation can be unnerving. And introducing yourself can be nerve-wracking.

But, without a fitting introduction, you would just be hitting the dart in a dark room.

The usual “Good Morning! I’m Neil, and I work as a Designer at…” is boring and doesn’t cut the ice anymore.

So, how to Introduce yourself in a presentation or start with a killer opener?

Introducing yourself in a presentation is pitching yourself to the audience so they stick around for the rest of your talk. Include your background, your unique trait, and who you are while sticking to the context in the first 30-60 seconds of your introduction.

Your introduction should be effective and have an interesting hook. You’ve got to nail your introduction in one shot.

A make or break moment indeed.

But, fret not! We’ve outlined what to say before starting a presentation to help get your next presentation right.

Occasions Where you Might Have to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Here is what to say to start a presentation on some of the occasions where you would have to introduce yourself before the presentation.

Though the principle focus will be about yourself, tweaking your intro to the context and the place is essential.

The self-introduction should be compelling enough to woo your audience to sit for the next couple of minutes.

1.How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Environment

Introducing yourself in your workplace can be rather common. But, it’s during business meetings and conferences where you need to stand out.

Every time you meet senior managers, introducing yourself with your name and job title doesn’t grab eyeballs anymore.

However, taking the first step matters. Here are certain scenarios where you might be called upon to introduce yourself in your workplace.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview Presentation

The “Tell me about yourself” in interviews is intimidating. If you’ve found alibi’s to every presentation in your school and college, it doesn’t work here anymore.

Prepare a short introduction about yourself and be interview-ready. Anytime someone hits you up with that question, you need to be able to answer it with the snap of a finger.

Here is an example of a self-intro during an interview.

“As a skilled designer, with two years of freelance experience, I’ve worked for clients with diverse needs. I’ve also designed brochures, magazines, logo , and packaging materials for my friend’s company. I’m confident that I can leverage my skills and bring in the best for your brand.

How to Introduce Yourself and Your Team in a presentation

Business meetings can be boring. But there are times where you might have to introduce yourself to a new co-worker or a senior leader.

As a team leader yourself, you might have to introduce yourself and your team to present on the performance of the company the previous month.

Presentation introduction ideas if you’re a marketing executive can be,

An increased conversion of 130%, that’s what our marketing team achieved last quarter making our campaign a massive success. The soldiers who made this possible are Ryan, who made sure the User Experience on our website was flawless. Sean who ensured seamless technical functioning, and Abby who is responsible for all the copies on our major assets. I’m John, who heads the marketing team and we want to take you through all the activities we actioned, the metrics we achieved, and the lessons we learned from our recent efforts.

In case you are giving a group presentation , you can check out this video to see how you can introduce different members of your group for seamless transitioning:

How to Introduce Yourself in a Conference Presentation

In a conference presentation, you’re expected to be a little formal. While you can adhere to that school of thought, don’t forget to story tell. That’s what hooks an audience! Here is an example of how to introduce yourself in a business conference:

“Today, I’m going to share a story of how someone with zero marketing skills and training made it to the top by creating massive revenue streams through online campaigns and paid advertising in just 6 months. If you’re passionate about digital marketing, this is for you. Stay tuned till the end for better insights.

If you’re presenting at a business conference, take a look at these 11 tips for presenting at a conference by Brian Campbell.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Pitch Presentation

Now, this is for entrepreneurs who are starting out. If you need investors to fund your start-up, you need to have a solid pitch.

 Let’s say, your product is AI-driven that alerts drivers who doze off while driving.

Talk about the benefits of it in a single sentence and highlight the downsides of dozing off while driving with stats and figures.

Check out this Crucial Public Speaking Tips for Startup Founders written by us that’ll help you nail your pitch.

Also, have a look at this video below. In this, Josh Light introduces himself in just two simple sentences and moves on to talk about his start-up. It is simple yet effective.

How to Introduce Yourself in Client Presentation

If you’re a freelancer, talking to clients can be a daunting task.

Let’s say you’re an engineer turned copywriter. That’s an interesting combo out there, and if you put it out in a way you write your copy, it would benefit you to a whole another level.

“I’m an experienced travel copywriter and I’ve written ad copies, sales pages, newsletters, landing pages for some of the top travel brands. I have over 5 years of expertise in this niche. One of my landing page copy at XYZ converted 50% of eyeballs into leads thus scaling up revenue drastically and I’m here to do the same if you see me fit after this call.”

2 . How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation as a Student

Are you that kid/student who always shied away from giving presentations? Did you always come up with excuses and ended up giving barely one or two presentations your whole school life?

Yes? Well, it’s time to come out of your cocoon as it won’t work out that way in college or at work.

Whether it’s a small project presentation or giving a speech in your English class, here is how you can introduce yourself as a student.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Seminar Presentation

We’ve all been there. Hundreds of projects and assignments, be it school or college.

And that’s where you have to introduce yourself before jumping into your project. No matter how good your project, a solid introduction can put you ahead of the game.

“ As a tech enthusiast myself, I was intrigued by blockchain technology for a long time and today I have my project built using that very technology. I’m so excited to share with you all the working of this model and its benefits. Let’s jump right in.

It’s pretty easy and to-the-point. You need to be self-confident while saying those two lines and try to avoid fillers.

3. How to Introduce Yourself as a Trainer

As a trainer or teacher, your audience may be high-school students, undergrads, or even professionals.

Depending on the setting and the audience, you can craft your intro effectively and be of interest to the listeners.

How to Introduce Yourself to Students

As a teacher in a new school or college, introducing yourself is obligatory.

You can go about it this way if you’re a Moral Science teacher or Counselor:

“Hi everyone! I’m Alexandra. Call me Alex for short. We are going to have loads of fun for the next couple of months as I will be handling your Moral Science classes from today. If you are stuck in a dilemma or facing challenges, you can talk to me personally anytime and I’ll help you find a way out.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Workshop

Workshops are where you learn about a subject.  What if you’re the one who is conducting the workshop or needs to fill in for your friend for a couple of minutes, you need to introduce yourself.

 If you’re an Economics Graduate who is conducting a Calligraphy workshop, your presentation starting words can be something like,

  “Back when I was a kid, I used to scribble down letters I saw on posters and fell in love with the notion of lettering and calligraphy. I wanted to get into design, but I thought it was a fleeting moment and took Economics. Little did I know how much it meant to me. I finally figured what to do in life, and here I’m helping and teaching you to do what you love after years of learning and unlearning.”

How to Introduce Yourself in Training Sessions

Whether you’re a corporate trainer or getting into training students after years of experience, introducing yourself never gets old.

You can emphasize your past experiences in the form of a story or start with how it was when you worked with one of the top clients in the industry.

Below is an example to give you a precise picture.

“How excited are you to get your first gig? I’ve been a freelance writer for over a decade now. And freelancing is one of the best jobs as it gives you financial freedom and lets you work from the comforts of your couch or at your favorite café. So, I’m here to teach you to do the exact same thing and help you find your passion.”

5 . How to Introduce Yourself in a Video Presentation

Virtual presentations are a thing right now. If you’re a camera conscious person, you might have a hard time giving a presentation.

Dressing well and looking at the camera and not the screen can help present better. And always, look into the camera and not the screen when it comes to virtual presentations.

No matter how tensed you are, do not reflect it on your face. Have a bottle of water beside you to buy time and calm your nerves.

Here are two possible situations where you might have to introduce yourself virtually. 

How to Introduce Yourself in Webinars

Webinars are ever-increasing and if your introduction is not crisp and strong enough, building an online presence can be challenging.

Here is how you can introduce yourself in a webinar:

“ Hi, guys and welcome to this long-awaited session. How excited are you all? I know I am! We’re live and will be having John in a while. I’m so thrilled to see hundreds of you all attending this webinar live. It’s going to be a great session. I’m Patrick and the head of Marketing at XYZ. We started this webinar series two months ago and received phenomenal feedback from you all. And that’s why we’re back again with another one. Thank you and welcome again! Hope you find this session valuable.”

How to Introduce Yourself in a Virtual Presentation

Now, this is for freshers whose onboarding is going virtual. Whether it’s training sessions, virtual presentations, or virtual meetings, you are asked to introduce yourself to every manager and executive multiple times in a day.

Hey everyone! I’ve always loved meeting new people and though this is virtual now, just so thrilled to see you all on screen. If you see a new face popping on your screen during meetings and conferences, that’s me, John the new joinee. Can’t wait to meet you all in-person. Excited to jump-start my career here.

You can also check out this video we made to know certain ninja hacks to engage a virtual audience:

Related Article: All You Need To Know About Presenting Remotely

How to Structure an Intro – How to Start and End

• Add a Compelling Hook

You can begin your speech with a fact or a question to pique curiosity of your audience.

• A Brief Overview about Yourself

In those initial few seconds, greet the audience and talk about your strength or any unique trait in a word or two.

You can mention your achievements or contributions before talking about your background.

• A Quick history or Timeline of your Career/Education

In any context, a brief background or history about yourself should be talked about to let your audience know a little more about you.

It helps them gain trust and reliability.

• Smooth transition to the main topic

You shouldn’t abruptly move to the heart of your speech post introduction. There should be a subtle transition to make it effective.

Here is a presentation introduction example,

“Would you believe if I told you that you could reach 15k+ people on LinkedIn in just 30 days? No? Stick around for the next 7 minutes as I’m going to teach you all about it so you can get started as a rookie with zero connections.” Hi everyone! I’m XYZ – a Linked Growth Hacker. I’ve been helping businesses grow and build a strong personal brand for five years now. If you’re wondering how to generate leads on LinkedIn, take note of the pointers I’ll be sharing with you today.”

Magic ingredients to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

You’ve got to nail your introduction no matter where you give the presentation.

You need to learn the art of introducing yourself because that’s the one thing you’ll be asked everywhere when you meet new people.

Introducing yourself is like marketing yourself. A stellar introduction can make a difference.

Here are some surefire ways to stand out in a crowd with your introduction.

With practice, your self-introduction will improve over time if you follow these tips. 

1 . Brevity is Key

We all know this by now. No matter how many years of experience you have or how much you’ve contributed to the team, your introduction should be short yet powerful.

With an impressive introduction about yourself, your audience will be keen on listening to you more. 

2 . Talk about Your Contribution

Instead of starting with your name and your job title, craft a story about the time you have to strive hard to achieve a goal be it personal or professional.

Speak about your contribution subtly without coming off as someone narcissistic. Unfold the little moments and share them with the audience.

Ensure it is related to your speech. Don’t go off course.  

3 . Understand Where You Are

The place where you present matters though it is about you. You need to research about the people, the place and craft an introduction aligning with it.

Keep it relatable. Get the audience to be on track with you. Keep your message clear and introduce it in a way it is memorable. 

4. Be as Real as Possible

Since you are introducing yourself, be as real as possible.

No, you don’t have to be extremely personal, but you can keep it minimal and include a common ground so that the audience can resonate with you.

5. A Smooth Transition is Essential

Transitioning from your intro to the main speech needs to be done right to keep the flow going.

Craft an intro and shift to the main topic without a pause after the introduction.

6. Create a Hook

Creating a hook is essential no matter the setting you’re introducing yourself in.

You need to grab the attention of the audience with your first sentence. You can quickly introduce yourself in a few sentences without taking much time.

Begin with a question or an interesting fact to hook the listeners every time you introduce yourself.

Want some inspiration? Here is a very practical video we have made on different opening lines from some of the most powerful speeches. Hopefully, it will get your creative juices flowing for what your hook should be:

Level up your public speaking in 15 minutes!

Get the exclusive Masterclass video delivered to your inbox to see immediate speaking results.

The Masterclass video is on its way to your inbox.

Concluding Thoughts

Introducing yourself in a presentation can be stressful. You won’t get it right on your first. Nope. Not on your third attempt.

Heck! Not even on your sixth introduction too.

But, here’s the thing.

You need to keep sailing and believe in yourself. That’s what can make you better.

If you want to evolve as an individual, learning how to introduce yourself can immensely contribute to your professional and personal growth.

Push your boundaries and cross your personal threshold. You will get there one day. And introducing yourself will no longer be a daunting task.

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Last Updated: October 4, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 125,654 times.

Introducing yourself in a presentation is more than just saying your name. It’s an opportunity for you to share relevant details about yourself and connect with your audience. It also sets the tone for the rest of the talk. How you introduce yourself will influence how your audience receives the message you want to get across. Make your next introduction flawless by presenting the most engaging information about yourself. Be sure to prepare the introduction in advance and start with an attention-grabbing technique to connect to the audience.

Including Relevant Information in Your Introduction

• If you have an unusual or difficult to pronounce name, you may want to add a small remark to help your audience remember it. For example, you can say “My name is Jacob Misen, like ‘risen’ but with an M.”
• Try to make eye contact with parts of audience during your presentation as well. [1] X Research source

• If you are VP of Marketing at a large company, it can actually be much more effective to say something like “I have more than a decade of experience using Facebook marketing ads to target clients in the dance industry” rather than simply stating your job title.

• You can also specifically refer your audience to the handout or powerpoint for more information. For example, if you want to let them know that you have articles in many international newspapers but you don’t want to list them all out, simply say “I’ve written for a number of internationally recognized news organizations. You can find the full list on the first page of my handout.”

• For example, you could say “when I designed a website for Richard Branson last year …” to inform your audience that you have an impressive resume, without having to list it all for them in your introduction.

• Try concluding your introduction by mentioning a client or project you were working on that directly relates to the topic of your presentation. For example: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with NXP Semiconductors for the past three years. Just last week we encountered a problem with our logistical database...” and then lead into your presentation about a new software that will solve everyone’s logistical hiccups.

Grabbing Your Audience’s Attention Before Your Introduction

• If you don’t have music that can tie to your presentation, you can use a song with the theme of beginning. For example, if you are presenting at a sales meeting, play some soft jazz as participants enter. Then, when it’s time for you to start, play the Black Eyed Peas chorus of “Let’s Get it Started” to get your audience’s attention. You can then open with an energetic “Good morning!” or “Good Afternoon” as the music ends.
• Remember to choose music that’s appropriate to the event. An academic conference may not be the best place for pop music, for example (unless you are presenting research on pop music, of course).

• For example, if you are presenting on the design of a new user-friendly coffee machine, you may start your presentation by referencing Elon Musk: “Any product that needs a manual to work is broken,” and then go on to say “My name is Laurie Higgens, and my coffee machine doesn’t come with a manual.” Speak briefly about your relevant experience and qualifications, and then dive into presenting your design.
• Avoid cliche or overused motivational quotes the audience has probably already heard many times.
• Be sure to correctly cite your quote.

• For example, you might start with “According to Time magazine, Americans filled 4.3 billion prescriptions and doled out $374 billion on medicine in 2014.” Then, introduce yourself and your qualifications in medical research and transition into a presentation about how to prevent doctors from over prescribing medication to their patients.
• Remember to cite the source of your statistics. You will look more professional and reliable, and the audience will be able to follow up on the information if they wish.

• If you are giving a presentation about a new airport security-friendly travel bag, try starting your presentation with “How many of you have ever stood in line at airport security and nearly missed your flight?”
• You can also invite your audience to close their eyes and imagine something as you lead up to your question.
• Don’t be discouraged if your audience doesn’t raise their hands when you ask a question. Sometimes these questions seem more rhetorical to an audience, or maybe they are just shy. You can often see signs that they are still engaging with the question if people are nodding or smiling after you ask it.

• Try telling stories, showing pictures on a powerpoint, or using quotations.
• Being funny not only puts your audience at ease, but it also helps them remember you after the presentation. [10] X Research source

• For example, if you are making a presentation about a pizza delivery app, ask your audience members to tell their name, their favorite pizza topping, and a situation where they’ve had a particularly amazing or awful experience with food delivery.

Preparing Before Your Presentation

• When it’s time to present, it’s probably best to just write down a few notes or key words to remind you of what you want to say so you don’t just read off your note cards.
• Think about your overall intention as a speaker. Are you trying to educate, enlighten, or entertain the audience? Figure out the effect you want to have on the listener so your presentation is impactful.

• If you don’t have a friend to watch your presentation, record yourself on video and play it back later to refine your presentation skills. It can be uncomfortable to watch yourself on video, but it will help you nail your introduction. You can even record your whole presentation. Keep recording and re-recording until you are happy with it. Then you know the audience will be happy too.

• The best resource to learn about the local culture is the locals themselves. If you have a contact where you will be speaking, ask them about customs, dress code, and how humor is usually received. If you don’t know anyone personally, try searching in industry-specific online forums. Find YouTube videos of presentations given in the area that are relevant to your industry.

What Is The Best Way To Start a Presentation?

Expert Q&A

• Don’t spend too much time introducing yourself. Your introduction should be short and to the point so you can get on to your main presentation material. Depending on the length of your presentation, your introduction should be between 20 seconds and 2 minutes long. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/eye_contact_tips_to_make_your_presentations_stronger
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/introduce-yourself-professionally
• ↑ https://www.washington.edu/doit/presentation-tips-0
• ↑ https://www.gvsu.edu/ours/oral-presentation-tips-30.htm
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/27/15-hacks-for-making-your-presentation-more-creative-and-engaging/
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-engage-your-audience-and-keep-them-with-you
• ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/make-em-laugh-ten-tips-using-humor-presentations-judy-romano-mba?trk=portfolio_article-card_title
• ↑ https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislative-staff/legislative-staff-coordinating-committee/tips-for-making-effective-powerpoint-presentations.aspx
• ↑ https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/19102/22119
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjwalker/2011/06/07/should-i-rehearse-and-for-how-long-presentation-training/

About This Article

To introduce yourself at the start of your presentation, all you need to do is state your name and tell the audience any relevant experience or skills you have. For example, say something like, “My name is Jacob Misen, and I have over a decade of experience using Facebook marketing ads in the dance industry.” If you have a broad range of relevant experience, you can bullet point a few examples on your opening slide instead of reading them out. Once you’ve introduced yourself, smoothly transition into your presentation. For instance, you can mention a client or project you’ve recently worked on that relates to the topic of your presentation. For more tips, including how to practice your presentation, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation [with Examples]

In this post, we are going to cover the best way, a very simple three-step process that will help you introduce yourself in a presentation. A summary of the steps is below.

• Start with your name and company (or organization or school).
• Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.
• Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

I will break down each step into a simple-to-follow process. But first… a little background.

First, Identify What Your Audience Wants from Your Presentation

So, before you design your introduction, think about what your audience wants from your presentation. Why do they want to spend their valuable time listening to you? Are going to waste their time? Or, are you going to provide them with something valuable?

For instance, I have expertise in a number of different areas. I’m a public speaking coach, a keynote speaker, a best-selling author, a search engine optimization specialist, and a popular podcaster. However, if I delivered that sentence to any audience, the most likely reaction would be, “So what?” That sentence doesn’t answer any of the above questions. The statement is also really “me-focused” not “audience-focused.”

So, when I start to design my self-introduction, I want to focus just on the area of expertise related to my topic. I’m then going to answer the questions above about that particular topic. Once you have these answers, set them aside for a second. They will be important later.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation in Class.

Instead, you probably want to add in a fun way to start a speech . For example, instead of introducing yourself in your class speech and starting in an awkward way, start with a startling statistic. Or start with a summary of your conclusion. Or, you could start the presentation with an inspirational quote.

Each of these presentation starters will help you lower your nervousness and decrease your awkwardness.

If you are delivering a speech in a speech competition or to an audience who doesn’t know you try this technique. Just introduce yourself by saying your name , the school you represent , and your topic . Make it easy. This way you get to your content more quickly and lower your nervousness.

Typically, after you get the first few sentences out of the way, your nervousness will drop dramatically. Since your name, school, and topic should be very easy to remember, this takes the pressure off you during the most nervous moments.

Obviously, follow the guidelines that your teacher or coach gives you. (The competition may have specific ways they want you to introduce yourself.)

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Presentation — A Step-by-Step Guide.

In a professional setting, when new people walk into a meeting and don’t know what to expect, they will feel uncomfortable. The easiest way to ease some of that tension is to chat with your audience as they come into the room.

By the way, if you are looking for a template for an Elevator Speech , make sure to click this link.

Step #1: Start with your name and company name (or organization).

This one is easy. Just tell your audience your name and the organization that you are representing. If your organization is not a well-known brand name, you might add a short clarifying description. For instance, most people outside of the training industry have never heard of The Leader’s Institute ®. So, my step #1 might sound something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company…

Still short and sweet, but a little more clear to someone who has never heard of my company.

Should you give your job title? Well… Maybe and sometimes. Add your title into the introduction only if your title adds to your credibility.

For example, if you are delivering a financial presentation and you are the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of your company, you might mention that. Your title adds to your credibility. However, if the CFO is delivering a presentation about the value of joining a trade association, the CFO title adds little credibility. So, there is very little value in adding the title.

Step #2: Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.

For instance, if my topic is how to deliver presentations, I have to determine why the audience would care. What problem will they have that I can help them with? For my audiences, the problem that I most often help people with is how to eliminate public speaking fear. Once I have the problem, I add that to my introduction by using the words, “I help people…”

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear.

However, if my topic is How to Close a Higher Percentage of Sales Presentations , I’d likely want to alter my introduction a little. I might say something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people design more persuasive sales presentations.

I have expertise in both areas. However, I focus my introduction on just the expertise that is applicable to this audience. If I gave the first introduction to the second audience, they will likely respond by thinking, well, I don’t really get nervous speaking, so I guess I can tune out of this speech .

So, create a problem statement starting with, “I help people…” Make the statement apply to what your audience really wants.

Step #3: Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

By the way, if you just do steps #1 and #2, your introduction will be better than most that you will hear. However, if you add Step #3, you will gain more respect (and attention) from your audience. Without adding some type of proof that you can solve this problem, you are just giving your opinion that you are an expert. However, if you can prove it, you are also proving that you are an expert.

This is the tricky part. For some reason, most people who get to this part feel like they haven’t accomplished great things, so they diminish the great accomplishments that they do have.

For instance, an easy way to offer proof is with a personal story of how you have solved that problem in the past.

A Few Examples of How to Introduce Yourself Before a Presentation.

For instance, one of my early clients was a young accountant. When I was working with him, he came up with the following introduction, “I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits.” It was a great, audience-focused attention-getter. (No one wants to get audited.) However, as an accountant, it wasn’t like his company was getting a lot of five-star reviews on Yelp! So, he was kind of struggling with his social proof. So, I asked him a series of questions.

Me, “How many clients do you have?”

Gary, “Over 300.”

Me, “How many small business tax returns have you processed?”

Gary, “Well, at least a couple hundred a year for 15 years.”

Me, “So, at least 3000?” He nodded. “How many of your 300 clients have been audited since you have been representing them?”

He looked at me and said, “Well, none.”

So, we just added that piece of proof to his talk of introduction.

I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits. In fact, in my career, I’ve helped clients complete over 3000 tax returns, and not a single one has ever been audited.

Here Is How I Adjust My Introduction Based on What I Want the Audience to Do.

For my proof, I have a number of options. Just like Gary, I have had a lot of clients who have had great successes. In addition, I have published two best-selling books about public speaking. I also have hundreds of thousands of people who listen to my podcast each week. So, I can pick my evidence based on what I want my audience to do.

For instance, if I’m speaking at a convention, and I want the audience to come by my booth to purchase my books, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the things that I’m most know for is being the author of two best-selling books, Fearless Presentations and Mastering Presentations.

However, if I’m leading a webinar, I may want the audience to purchase a seat in one of my classes. In that case, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. For instance, for the last 20 years, I’ve taught public speaking classes to over 20,000 people, and I haven’t had a single person fail to reduce their nervousness significantly in just two days.

If my goal is to get the audience to subscribe to my podcast, my intro might sound like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the ways that I do this is with my weekly podcast called, Fearless Presentations, which has over one million downloads, so far.

Use the Form Below to Organize How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation.

The point is that you want to design your introduction in a way that makes people pause and think, “Really? That sounds pretty good.” You want to avoid introductions that make your audience think, “So what?”

If you have a speech coming up and need a good introduction, complete the form below. We will send you your answers via email!

Can You Replace Your Introduction with a PowerPoint Slide?

Is it okay to make your first slide (or second slide) in your presentation slides an introduction? Sure. A good public speaker will often add an introduction slide with a biography, portrait, and maybe even contact information. I sometimes do this myself.

However, I NEVER read the slide to my audience. I often just have it showing while I deliver the short introduction using the guide above. This is a great way to share more of your work experience without sounding like you are bragging.

For tips about how many powerpoint slides to use in a presentation , click here.

Remember that There Is a Big Difference Between Your Introduction in a Presentation and Your Presentation Starter.

When you introduce yourself in a presentation, you will often just use a single sentence to tell the audience who you are. You only use this intro if the audience doesn’t know who you are. Your presentation starter, though, is quite different. Your presentation starter should be a brief introduction with relevant details about what you will cover in your presentation.

For details, see Great Ways to Start a Presentation . In that post, we show ways to get the attention of the audience. We also give examples of how to use an interesting hook, personal stories, and how to use humor to start a presentation.

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Introducing Me – Best Way to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Tips for giving a better presentation.

Home / Business / How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation (With Tips and Free Templates)

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation (With Tips and Free Templates)

Giving a presentation can be nerve-wracking and introducing yourself can be daunting. But without an engaging introduction, you just be hitting the dart in the darkroom.

One of the most challenging tasks of any presentation is introducing yourself. Knowing how to start a presentation is key for effective speech or discussion. By coming up with newer and innovative techniques, you can capture your audience’s interest & help them focus on what you are going to share.

If you wonder how to introduce yourself at the presentation’s start, you aren’t alone. As we start the presentation, our nervousness diminishes significantly for most of us. So initial self-intro is important.

The usual introduction, “Hello, Everyone! I’m Ashley, working as Digital marketing head at…….” It is a boring start and won’t cut the ice anymore .

So how to introduce yourself or have a killer presentation start?

Don’t fret! We have outlined what you should say before starting a presentation to help you get the next presentation right.

It’s an adage, ” You only get a single chance to make a first impression.” It’s very true. The first impression really counts, especially during a presentation. An introduction is the key building block of a memorable and convincing presentation.

Before introducing yourself in a presentation, it’s crucial to welcome your audience, so they feel valued and interested for the presentation, we have got you set of free welcome PPT templates .

So, if you are looking for a creative way to introduce yourself in a presentation that will set the scene for the rest of the meeting, we have the best tips to help you introduce yourself and create a great first impression online.

• Know Your Audience and Wants from Your Presentation: Knowing your audience is crucial as it helps to figure out what content and message they care about. You won’t be able to successfully pitch an idea to your audience unless you know what makes them tick. So, before a presentation, have answers to questions like, what do they like? Dislikes? What do they need? What proof will they need to make decisions? Once you have an idea regarding all this, you can draft a successful presentation.

• Our marketing team has achieved an increased conversion of 130% within the last quarter, making our campaign a massive success.
• Commands who made this possible are Ryan, who made sure our user experience was flawless.
• Sean, who maintained the technical functioning and Abby, our accounting head, was responsible for all copies of our major assets.
• Introducing Yourself in a Client Presentation: If you are a freelancer, interacting with clients can really be a daunting task. If you are an experienced copywriter, you can present it interestingly. For example:” I am an experienced copywriter; I have written many ad copies, sales pages, landing pages, newsletters. I have over five years of expertise in this niche. One of my landing pages has converted 50% eyeballs into leads, thus drastically skyrocketing sales.

• Hello, I am Jamie and welcome to our long-awaited session. How are you all? I am too excited. We are living here, and Alec will be joining us in a while.
• Hello everyone, I am mike; I’m so thrilled to see hundreds of you attending today’s webinar. It’s going to be a fantastic session.
• State the Purpose of the Presentation: As of now, you have built a connection with your audience. It’s now the time to summarize the aim of your speech. Of course, your audience will already be aware of your topic. You should make sure it’s clear to everyone. A simple one-line statement is enough, but it should give an overview of the presentation idea.

• Ask for Audience Participation: An attentive audience is more likely to be engaged throughout the presentation. The best way to make your audience participate is by asking them questions that require them to raise their hands or stand up to answer the question.

There’s nothing more daunting than having a big presentation the next day and feeling unprepared. Public speaking can be difficult, and not feeling ready makes it even more arduous when you like not ready. So let’s look at the essential steps to make the best presentation.

• Use of Visuals: Visuals are worth including as it makes your presentation more interesting and helps you explain your points more coherently, enabling learning easier for your audience. Moreover, it makes a long-lasting impression on the minds, making the audience remember the information longer. If you are looking for top-notch visuals for your next presentation, then do check out SlideChef’s creative templates gallery .
• Be Excited and Connect with Your Audience: Show your audience you are super-excited about the presentation by being an energetic speaker. It’s hard to be excited same time when you are nervous. Along with maintaining the tone of voice, make sure you use hand gestures and a smiling face throughout.
• Ask Questions Throughout : Attentive audience is always an engaging audience. Try asking your audience questions periodically. Thus, encouraging them to be more attentive listeners and reflect on the content of your presentation.

• Thank your audience : Effective communication goes beyond just conveying information; it’s about building connections and leaving a lasting impression. One simple yet often overlooked way to enhance your presentation is by expressing gratitude to your audience at the conclusion. I recommend using the Free Thank You templates library for amazing thank you slides.

The introduction is very important, in fact, the most important – part of the presentation as it sets the tone for the entire presentation. An introduction is primarily used to capture the audience’s attention, usually within 15 seconds of the presentation. So make those words count and get the audience’s attention.

We all easily get stumped when asked to talk about ourselves because there are a lot of things you could mention. But at the same time, you want to make your introduction to be short and simple & sound like a bragging context. So always think from the perspective of your audience. Whether the facts you want to share benefit them in any way. If yes, confidently add in your introduction slides.

About The Author

Priyanshu Bharat

Priyanshu is a copywriter who loves to tune into what makes people tick. He believes in presenting his ideas with flair and wit, which has made him an expert at standing on stage and charming the pants off of any audience he's faced with. Priyanshu lives for learning as much as he can, so if you ever need help understanding something - just ask!

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• Toastmasters →

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation with 6 Terrific Tips

Presentations can be very nerve-racking experiences!

Even seasoned speakers will get the jitters!

When you’re preparing to give a talk about something, you put a lot of time and energy into crafting what you have to say. Understandably, you want things to go as well as possible.

Maybe you’re going to give a speech about an area of expertise that you have in a particular industry.

Perhaps your presentation will to focus on a personal experience that’s had a significant influence on your life.

Then again, you could be getting ready to give a funny speech that you hope will really entertain listeners .

Whatever your presentation is about, your main goal is for those attending your talk to pay attention. Without that, all your blood, sweat and tears − as the saying goes − is for nought!

Giving a Presentation About Yourself

When you introduce yourself at the start of a presentation, it’s the first opportunity that audience members have to meet you formally. So, you should give them the best impression that you can.

It’s critical, at this point, to establish a strong connection with participants that will encourage them to hear you out.

Audiences are known to judge a speaker quite quickly!

The moment you open your mouth, they’re deciding whether they’re going to like what you have to say or if there’s something else they’re rather spend their evening doing.

If it’s the latter, they’ll look for a chance to make a speedy exit as unobtrusively as possible – like when the lights dim so that you can show your first slide, for example.

Here’s how to woo watchers and keep them in their seats with an effective personal introduction.

Start with the Basics

At a minimum, you must tell those listening who you are and what your presentation is about.

If they’ve signed up for the talk, they should know this already. Nevertheless, you need to show them respect by starting off with these few facts.

You never know, someone could be in the wrong meeting room!

In addition, this is the time to pique participants’ interest by briefly saying why it is that you’re giving this particular speech.

Typically, you’ll do this by offering your credentials or a little of your experience on the subject matter.

Here, you can also include a comment about what you hope listeners will learn from you.

You may have heard this approach referred to as the elevator speech   or elevator pitch .

In this instance, it’s all about giving people the basic information they need in preparation to hear your speech, and doing it concisely in simple language that everyone will understand.

Here’s a sample:

‘Hello. My name is ­­­­­­­­­­­___________. I’m a neuroscientist. I’m here to talk about how the body responds to stress and what we can do to improve our stress responses.”

Construct the Connection

Beyond offering the basics, give some thought to how you’d like audience participants to remember you.

This where you must consider how to make the right connection with listeners.

Sure, you want them to think favourably of you but what are the particulars of that good impression?

Can you imagine what they might tell others about your talk?

Do you want them to go away and Google more information about your speech topic ?

Are you interested in having them follow your story on social media?

This will determine what you tell them in addition to your name, rank and serial number, so to speak, and your subject matter expertise.

Here are a few steps that will help:

1. Predict participant profile

For any presentation, you should know who you’re speaking to.

While you can’t be expected to know anything about audience members as individuals, you should be able to get a general sense of them in terms of their demographic and other characteristics.

Say you’re speaking to members of a local club. Find out ahead of time why these folks are members of the same organization.

Are most of them retired and looking for a social outlet? Is the club focused on providing a service to the immediate community, or doing good works oversees?

Try to develop a loose idea in your mind of what the participants have in common.

2. Think like listeners

As much as possible, try to put yourself in the shoes of the people coming to hear your presentation.

Be very careful not to generalize or assume too much based on what you understand connects them as a group.

Just use what you know as a helpful yard stick to gauge what you can say about yourself that might resonate with them – or with the majority.

Maybe you’re giving a talk about how to achieve financial success, and your audience is all 20 somethings struggling to pay off student debt while juggling a few jobs in the gig economy.

Certainly, you should introduce yourself with regard to your financial expertise. However, you’ll make a stronger impact on them if you can relate to being a starving student once yourself.

They need to get that you know what you’re talking in both respects and what you’re going to tell them will be valuable.

3. Use universal understanding

Regardless of the diversity in your audience and how they may differ from you, there are some day-to-day life events that most of us can connect with.

Use this common appreciation to create empathy in your self introduction .

You might be able to bond early on with participants by mentioning interpersonal relationships, traffic jams, work challenges or inclement weather, for instance.

When you can offer something else about yourself in this way, it will enhance the connection between you and your listeners.

Succinctly explaining your back story, or your personal perspective, as it relates to your topic will grow your credibility.

“Hello. My name is ____________. I’m a family therapist. When I was a child, I had a sibling that suffered from mental health problems and that’s why I became a therapist. I’m here today to tell you how we can strengthen and heal relationships with others.”

Putting it All Together

There are a few terms you may hear that sum up putting these pieces together to introduce yourself.

It’s called the Rhetorical Triangle or the Triangle of Trust. Simply put, it’s about connecting yourself to the message and then connecting your message with the audience.    

It may be easier to remember if you can visualize a triangle with three points – speaker, message, audience.

This demonstrates the importance of speaking from one’s knowledge base, presenting the message logically and appealing to the audience’s emotion.

It reinforces that people are more likely to listen to and connect with you when you appear to know what you’re talking about and have a passion for the subject matter.

You might also like: Preparation: How to write a Speech Outline (with Examples)

6 Ways to Work your Introduction Magic

Once you’ve got a good idea of what you want to say about yourself in your presentation, it’s time to fine tune your plan. Here are several tips to make your personal intro really pop!

1. Communicate clearly

It shouldn’t surprise to you that you need to speak at a reasonable volume and enunciate your words clearly.

A successful speech starts out strong .

Therefore, when you’re telling listeners who you are and a bit about you this is the place to practice communicating properly.

You may feel reluctant to ‘toot your own horn’ but the audience needs to know a little about you and also how to say your name correctly.

So, speak up !

If your name might be a difficult one for some participants to pronounce, take the time to walk them through. Here are two illustrations:

“Hello. My name is Adeolu Akomah. That’s pronounced “ad – e – o – lu – a – kom – ah”.”

“Hello. My name is Ryan Trench. That’s pronounced the same way as in “trench coat”.”

2. Make it natural

As much as possible, put your nervousness aside and try to be yourself.

In other words, show your personality sincerely and don’t try to present an image of someone that you’re not.

We can be forgiven for watching other presenters and thinking that they’re more compelling speakers or have a special charisma.

This may definitely be the case, but how do you think most of them became this way?

It’s because they learned to be comfortable in their own skin when giving speeches.

We each have a unique personality and one key to connecting with an audience is to show that when introducing yourself.

3. Set the tone

Building on the previous point, set the proper tone for your talk.

Will it be a quite formal presentation about a serious subject?

Or, is it going to be an entertaining personal story where you want participants to feel a little laid-back and not restrain their laughter at the right moments?

Try to match the emotion in your voice to the purpose of your presentation.

There’s nothing wrong with speaking in grave thoughtful tones when you want to pull on people’s heart strings with a serious subject matter like childhood cancer.

By the same token, letting a few chuckles escape when you introduce why you’re an expert on skiing mishaps can also stage an appropriate mood.

Setting the tone also means being polite and showing participants that you appreciate their attendance. Acknowledge them with a short welcome or thank them for coming.

4. Bring best body language

Body language is a critical component of giving any speech.

During your personal introduction, your body language can help to build trust or cast doubt on your words.

Strive to appear relaxed and confident

Listeners will then be more apt to believe that you are who you say you are and that you have something to tell them that’s worthy of their time and attention.

5. Watch for TMI

This is a trickly one!

TMI, or too much information, is generally a judgement call based on the aim of your presentation.

So, how much is too much?

Well, you mustn’t offer your whole life story! Just zero in on the relevant details that are necessary to set the stage for your speech.

We’re all complex individuals with varied and interesting backgrounds and life situations. Your audience gets that but they want to know what’s drawn you to speak to them today.

As already touched upon, how to describe yourself as an expert is critical.

It’s okay to be humble but remember that you need people to understand that you know your subject matter so give them enough to go on.

6. Strategize with stereotypes

‘No two ways about it, your audience is bound to stereotype you when they hear a bit of your background.

There are two methods to use this to your advantage.

First, you can capitalise on the typical stereotype and reinforce it with some self-deprecating humour. Maybe you want to play up being a science geek.

Alternatively, you can turn the stereotype on it’s head by introducing yourself as an atypical example of what listeners may be assuming when they hear your background.

Say you’re a grandmother who is giving a talk about saving the environment. If you’ve sailed solo across an ocean, weave that into your introduction as it relates to your passion for ecology.

Whatever you choose, think of what works best to connect with your audience.

Try Out Toastmasters

Here’s another approach to learning the fine points about introducing yourself in a presentation – learn from Toastmasters International .

If you’re not familiar with this organization, essentially, they’re a club where people meet regularly to study and practice public speaking and leadership skills.

Plan to drop in at a meeting as a visitor when someone is giving a talk, or watch online videos of members presenting.

These are two ways to observe how people apply what they learn through Toastmasters to give a great introduction about themselves.

The other choice is to read up on the first speaking project that all Toastmasters members take on.

This is called the Icebreaker   speech . The objective is for presenters to give a short talk about themselves so that other members can get to know them.

Of course, this is definitely a different type of speech !

Having said that, the Icebreaker lesson reinforces that you can choose what exactly you want people to know about you, and its good practice for getting comfortable talking about yourself.

The guidance given is to say something about your life experience, your occupation, what you spend your time doing and/or your family.

People love personal stories so no matter what you choose to tell them about yourself, they’re bound to find it interesting and probably will notice several points of connection they have with you.

What’s more, even if you’re not a member of Toastmasters International , you can access the Icebreaker speech instructions free online.

If you do decide to delve further into Toastmasters, you never know, you might quickly get hooked!

Related: What to Expect at Your First Toastmasters Meeting

Conclusion: Giving about Presentation About Yourself

How you introduce yourself when giving a presentation can make all the difference.

Be mindful that the start of your talk is when you have a captive audience.

And, make sure you use that edge to intrigue them and then make a smooth transition to the content of your speech.

By following a few pointers about the best way to introduce yourself, you’ll leave listeners with an immensely memorable experience!

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Top 10 Templates to Design an Introduction Slide About Yourself (Samples and Examples Included)

Siranjeev Santhanam

Introducing oneself in the workplace is one of the more under-valued and under-emphasized moments in the average professional’s career. Making a good first impression can make a big difference, whether it be dealing with managers, clients, stakeholders, or during interviews with potential employers. It can help you strengthen your professional credibility, broadcast your strengths and gain traction.

Dive deeper into this issue by checking out other blog on must have cover letter templates to use for introductions. Click here and read it now.

In the modern workplace, there are many methods and formats that professionals weaponize to create a good first impression. 

Crafting a cogent and compelling PPT Presentation can be one empowering way to present oneself and get people to place their faith in you. Whether it be during interview sessions, business meetings or during engagements with clients, having a presentation can be a great way to command attention, to assert your own presence and to establish your identity during meetings.

In this blog, we’re going to be taking a look at ten templates that you can use to create an authentic introduction slide, one that you can accommodate within distinct settings, be it in interviews or in personal business conventions. These slides are 100% editable and customizable, giving you the flexibility to work with them and to redesign them exactly the way you see fit. Let’s begin.

Are you seeking similar content-rich templates on employee introduction as well? Click here and read our other blog on this subject now.

Explore our blogs on  Presentation About Myself Templates  and  Self-Introduction Templates   for an extensive collection of PowerPoint designs by SlideTeam, offering a solid framework to introduce yourself in formal settings. Craft engaging and informative presentations effortlessly with 100% editable slides, saving you time and energy.

Template 1 - Ten Minutes Presentation About Myself PowerPoint Bundle

This PPT Set helps showcase your professional journey in a concise manner. This versatile set covers essential aspects, including your work experience, personal profile, education, hobbies, and contact information. With a focus on your career map, SWOT analysis, professional qualifications, achievements, and training, the presentation highlights your unique skill set and experience. The sleek design ensures a dynamic and compelling delivery of your professional story within the allotted time, making it an ideal tool for self-introduction in professional settings. Download now!

Download this template

Template 2 - Introduce Yourself PPT Presentation Slides

Leverage the use of this well-designed PPT Bundle to create and implement an introductory presentation that leaves a lasting impression. Packed with 65 slides, the presentation is complete with a wide range of intricate tools and resources to enhance your professional profile. Legitimize your career in the eyes of the audience with the personal qualifications section and elevate your own corporate credentials with the achievements section. Establish a more personal account of yourself with the about me section. Also present are slides dedicated to your professional experience, your language skills, your hobbies, and more.

Download now

Template 3 - Be able to introduce yourself PPT presentation slides

This template can be a defining feature of your corporate success story, if used properly. It comprises 57 slides, complete with tables, graphs, charts, and a range of slides that can help master the office world. With the aid of the slides in this deck, you’re given the chance to elaborate on your career objectives, establish your own personal set of ethos and your ‘mission’, detail your work experience, education details, achievements, and map out a career path. Get it now and win over more people.

Template 4 – Self-Introduction in Interview for Job PPT Presentation Slides

Strengthen your corporate profile, control your appearance in the office and boost your chances in interviews, all with the aid of this ready-to-use PPT Deck in 39 slides. It is complete with powerful aesthetics, content-rich slides and a host of well-researched information pockets that you can harness to introduce yourself. Some key segments included within in package are about me, career, SWOT analysis, professional qualifications, achievements, training, and more. Get it now and ace your next job interview with ease!

Template 5 - How to introduce yourself PowerPoint Presentation slides

Elevate your own standing in the office and make more people notice you using this PPT Template. The 34-slide deck and is rich with content, allowing you to tailor it your needs and the stakeholder who is to view it. Some highlights incorporated into the slide include a SWOT analysis, sections dedicated to your job experience, sections dedicated to the path to career, and more. Download this template and sharpen your own appeal in the workplace, creating a more engaging corporate personal in the process.

Template 6 - Name position self-introduction template with details

This one-page PPT Template can be your means to creating a more professional and polished self-introduction session. It has been segregated into smaller sections that cover aspects within the corporate experience, each of which can be customized to fit your individual needs. Space for a photograph is also present at the top left corner of the slide, along with space to accommodate other crucial information such as your job description and application requirements.

Template 7 – Self-presentation creative resume template

This PowePoint Theme can be a valuable resource for professionals seeking to make a positive first-impression in the work place, and specifically in job interviews. The high-resolution slide allows you to craft your own personalized resume theme, allowing you to stand out from the crowd and attract more attention. Some key subheadings include education, skills, contact, experience, and more. Get this template and make people notice you in the office.

Template 8 - Formal self-introduction framework for interviews infographic template

Are you searching for a way to present yourself in curated and professional manner during interviews? Then this one-page PPT Layout is the answer. It allows you to illustrate your professional strengths and distinctive qualities in an elegant and concise manner. You can use it to draw attention to your own internal guiding ethos and to underscore your professional strengths, creativity, and personality.

Template 9 - Self-introduction of branding professional with skills

This template offers you a creative and wholesome means of promoting yourself, giving you the tools to facilitate better connections in the workplace and impress people with your profile. The template can be re-tailored to suit the needs of a resume, or be used by its own self within the office, making it adaptable and valuable within the corporate framework. It has been endowed with some pertinent subheadings such as profile, contact, education, skills, work experience, and some space for a personalized image as well.

Template 10 - Detailed self-introduction for managing director profile interview infographic template

Are you struggling to unleash your full potential as you wade through the corporate world? Make a firmer impact on your peers and get more people to invest in you, all with the aid of this vibrant one-page template. It has been designed with the structure of a typical resume template, with the aid of some basic features such as skillset, name, hobbies, etc. It has the added advantage of a more rousing appearance with the use of contrasting white and green colour grading and prominent black font.

Template 11 - Case study self-introduction PPT inspiration

This dashboard could be your solution to getting your dues in the workplace. It is a case study template, designed to be able to add value to any presentation centred around your own professional experience. It has been divided into three major segments, challenge, solution and results, allowing you to outline your own personal challenges and results in a clear and compelling manner.

BE BOLD IS THE BEST INTRO

Introducing oneself in the right manner, with the right etiquette and professionalism, can go a long way in the workplace. The templates featured in this blog make for simple, yet effective instruments of communication, giving you the tools needed to cultivate a distinct appeal for yourself when using them. Download our self introduction ppt templates and deploy them in whichever business settings you deem necessary, adding some boldness to your own presence in the workplace.

Don’t turn away just yet! We’ve got more for you on this subject. Click here now and read our other blog on ten self-introduction templates. 

FAQs on Introduction Slides

How do you introduce yourself in a slide.

Here are some steps to follow when seeking to introduce yourself in a slide within a professional setting:

Step 1 – Establish the relevant information, such as the name and title

Step 2 – Outline a brief summation of your professional history and the work experience. 

Step 3 – Engage with the audience by including some basic personal information such as hobbies, etc. 

Step 4 – Employ strong visuals and incorporate graphs, tables, etc. to add colour to the experience.

How can you do a five-minute presentation about yourself?

To be able to deliver a five-minute presentation on oneself, one would have to be brief, focused and concise. Here are some general tips to follow:

1 – Plan your content and determine what information needs to be included and what needs to be left out.

2 – Practice the presentation, making sure to enact rehearsals if needed to attain a degree of comfort.

3 – Design the slides and structure them in accordance with the presentation plan.

What is the best self-introduction?

There is no definitive answer to this question. However, general guidelines to improve upon and strengthen one’s self-introduction within the professional environment are:

1 – Be brief, concise and make relevant points. 

2 – Underscore your strengths, accomplishments and professional accomplishments. 

3 – Be confident and charismatic when presenting yourself. 

4 – Be authentic; no overselling please.

Related posts:

• Top 10 Self-Introduction Templates with Samples and Examples
• Top 10 Personal Presentation Templates with Examples and Samples
• Proven Best Practices and Templates to Deliver My Presentation (Samples and Examples Inside)
• Top 10 Personal Introduction Slide Templates to Make Yourself Unforgettable

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How to Introduce Yourself For a Presentation | 6 Strategies for a Powerful Opening

Leah Nguyen • 08 April, 2024 • 9 min read

First impressions are everything in public speaking. Whether you’re presenting to a room of 5 people or 500, those first few moments set the stage for how your entire message will be received.

You only get one chance at a proper introduction, so it’s crucial to nail it.

We’ll cover the best tips on how to introduce yourself for a presentation . By the end, you’ll walk onto that stage with your head held high, ready to kick off an attention-grabbing presentation like a pro.

Table of Contents

#1. start the topic with an engaging hook, #2. set context around your topic, #3. keep it brief, #4. do the unexpected, #5. preview next steps, #6. perform mock talks, bottom line, frequently asked questions, tips for audience engagement.

• Stage Fright
• What Are The Facial Expressions?

Start in seconds.

Get free templates for your next interactive presentation. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

How to Introduce Yourself for a Presentation (+Examples)

Learn how to say “hi” in a way that leaves a lasting impact and your audience wanting more. The introduction spotlight is yours—now go grab it!

Pose an open-ended challenge related to your experience. "If you had to navigate X complex issue, how might you approach it? As someone who's dealt with this firsthand…"

Tease an accomplishment or detail about your background. "What many don't know about me is that I once…"

Relate a brief story from your career that shows your expertise. "There was a time early in my career when I…"

Pose a hypothetical and then relate from experience. "What would you do if faced with an upset customer like I was several years ago when…"

Refer to success metrics or positive feedback that proves your authority. "When I last delivered a presentation on this, 98% of attendees said they…"

Mention where you've been published or invited to speak. "…which is why organisations like [names] have asked me to share my insights on this topic."

Pose an open question and commit to answering it. "That leads me to something many of you may be wondering - how did I get so involved in this issue? Let me tell you my story…"

Sparking intrigue around your qualifications rather than just stating them will naturally draw the audience in through fun, engaging anecdotes .

For students:

• "As someone studying [subject] here at [school], I became fascinated with…"
• "For my final project in [class], I dove deeper into researching…"
• "Over the past year working on my undergraduate thesis about [topic], I discovered…"
• "When I took [professor's] class last semester, one issue we discussed really stood out to me…"

For professionals:

• "In my [number] years leading teams at [company], one challenge we continue to face is…"
• "During my tenure as [title] of [organisation], I've seen firsthand how [issue] impacts our work."
• "While consulting with [types of clients] on [topic], one common problem I've observed is…"
• "As the former [role] of [business/department], implementing strategies to address [issue] was a priority for us."
• "From my experience in both [roles] and [field], the key to success lies in understanding…"
• "In advising [client-type] on matters of [area of expertise], a frequent hurdle is navigating…"

Start by stating a problem or question that your presentation will address. "You've all likely experienced the frustration of...and that's what I'm here to discuss - how we can overcome..."

Share your key takeaway as a concise call to action. "When you leave here today, I want you to remember this one thing... because it will change the way you..."

Refer to a current event or industry trend to show relevance. "In light of [what's happening], understanding [topic] has never been more critical for success in..."

Relate your message to what matters most to them. "As [type of people they are], I know your top priority is... So I'll explain exactly how this can help you achieve..."

Tease an intriguing perspective. "While most people look at [issue] this way, I believe the opportunity lies in seeing it from this viewpoint..."

Connect their experience to future insights. "What you've faced so far will make so much more sense after exploring..."

The goal is to grab attention by painting a picture of what value they'll gain to ensure the context won't be missed.

When it comes to pre-show introductions, less is truly more. You've only got 30 seconds to make a blast of an impression before the real fun begins.

That may not sound like much time, but it's all you need to pique curiosity and get your story started off with a bang. Don't waste a single moment with filler - every word is an opportunity to enchant your audience.

Instead of droning on and on, consider surprising them with an intriguing quote or bold challenge related to who you are. Give just enough flavour to leave them craving seconds without spoiling the full meal to come.

Quality over quantity is the magic recipe here. Pack maximum impact into a minimum timeframe without missing a single delicious detail. Your introduction may only last 30 seconds, but it can spark a reaction to last all presentation long.

Forget a traditional "hi everyone...", hook the audience in right away by adding interactive elements to the presentation.

68% of people say that it’s easier to remember the information when the presentation is interactive.

You can start with an icebreaker poll asking everyone how they are feeling, or let them play a quiz to learn about yourself and the topic they're going to hear naturally.

Here's how interactive presentation software like AhaSlides can bring your introduction to a notch:

• AhaSlides has a plethora of slide types for your polling , quiz , Q&A , word cloud or open-ended question demands. Whether you're introducing yourself virtually or in person, the AhaSlides features are your best sidekicks to attract every eye to you!
• The results are shown live on the presenter's screen, grabbing the audience's focus with eye-catching designs.
• You can integrate AhaSlides with your common presentation software such as PowerPoint or interactive Google Slides with AhaSlides .

There are a few ways to show why your topic matters, such as:

Pose a burning question and promise the answer: "We've all asked ourselves at some point - how do you achieve X? Well, by the end of our time together I'll reveal the three essential steps."

Tease valuable takeaways: "When you leave here, I want you walking away with Y and Z tools in your back pocket. Get ready to level up your skills."

Frame it as a journey: "We'll discover a lot of things as we travel from A to B to C. By the end, your perspective will be transformed."

Introduce yourself in style with AhaSlides

Wow your audience with an interactive presentation about yourself. Let them know you better through quizzes, polling and Q&A!

Spark urgency: "We've only got an hour, so we have to move fast. I'll hustle us through sections 1 and 2 then you'll put what you learn into action with task 3."

Preview activities: "After the framework, be ready to roll up your sleeves during our hands-on exercise. Collaboration time starts…"

Promise a payoff: "When I first learned how to do X, it seemed impossible. But by the finish line, you'll say to yourself 'How did I live without this?'"

Keep them wondering: "Each stop delivers more clues until the big reveal awaits you at the end. Who's ready for the solution?"

Let the audience see your flow as an exciting progression beyond an ordinary outline. But don't promise air, bring something tangible to the table.

Presentation perfection requires plenty of playtime before showtime. Run through your intro like you're on stage - no half-speed rehearsing allowed!

Record yourself to get real-time feedback. Watching playback is the only way to spot any awkward pauses or filler phrasing begging for the chopping block.

Read your script to a mirror to eyeball presence and charisma. Does your body language bring it home? Amp up appeals through all your senses for total captivation.

Rehearse off-book until your intro floats to the surface of your mind like breathwork. internalise it so you shine without flashcards as a crutch.

Perform mock talks for family, friends or furry judges. No stage is too small when you're perfecting your part to sparkle.

💡 Know more: How to introduce yourself like a Pro

And there you have it - the secrets to Rocking. Your. Intro. No matter the size of your audience, these tips will have all eyes and ears hooked in a snap.

But remember, practice isn't just for perfection - it's for confidence. Own those 30 seconds like the superstar you are. Believe in yourself and your value, because they'll believe right back.

How do you introduce yourself before a presentation?

Start with the basic information like your name, title/position, and organisation before introducing the topic and outline.

What do you say to introduce yourself in a presentation?

A balanced example introduction may be: "Good morning, my name is [Your Name] and I work as a [Your Role]. Today I'll be talking about [Topic] and by the end, I hope to give you [Objective 1], [Objective 2] and [Objective 3] to help with [Topic Context]. We'll start with [Section 1], then [Section 2] before wrapping up with [Conclusion]. Thank you for being here, let's get started!"

How to introduce yourself in a class presentation as a student?

Key things to cover in a class presentation are name, major, topic, objectives, structure and a call for audience participation/questions.

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to introduce yourself in a presentation

How to introduce yourself in a presentation

A well-executed presentation should captivate your audience and listeners. The first step to gaining their attention is creating an engaging introduction. Learn why presentation introductions are important and how to properly execute one for your presentation.

Why are presentation introductions important?

Presentation delivery impacts your audience’s reception and listening skills. A dull delivery can deter listeners and potentially leave them disinterested. Conversely, an effective delivery can engage your audience, promote active listening, and stimulate substantive discussion.

Presentation introductions also help to establish the outline of your presentation and give the audience an idea of what is to come. Introductions play a crucial role in captivating listeners from the onset and building momentum. They address who you are, why the audience should be invested, state the topic, establish credibility, preview the main points, and establish the cadence and tone of your presentation. Before you dive into the content of your presentation, ensure you establish an effective introduction to captivate your audience.

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How to begin a presentation introduction

To establish rapport with your audience, here are some tips to effectively introduce yourself and your presentation:

Be clear and concise

A succinct introduction makes it easier for your audience to follow. Keep your introduction simple, short, and include only necessary information. State your name and topic clearly so your audience knows you from the beginning. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy anecdotes in your introduction to keep things focused and to the point.

Provide pertinent background information

In addition to your name and topic, highlight anything else that is relevant. You can include your education, work background, qualifications, and other information. Most importantly, ensure the information you disclose is directly relevant to yourself and presentation.

Create a hook or attention getter

Once you’ve established your name and topic, create an engaging hook or attention getter. Your introduction can be funny, clever, or it can captivate your audience. Have fun creating an introduction, but be sure to align your tone and delivery to your audience.

Outline your presentation

Let your audience know what your will be discussing. Establish a roadmap of your presentation: outline your contents, topics, and main points in an easily digestible format. This makes it easier for your audience to follow your presentation and prepare for its contents.

Practice and refine

Once you’ve created a solid introduction, rehearse your introduction until the delivery is organic and smooth. Confidence is key for an optimal delivery. Speak clearly, practice eye contact, and use storytelling to engage your audience.

Be authentic

Above all, be yourself—authenticity helps you build trust and connection with your audience. Carry you character, speech, and personality into your presentation to draw in your audience.

A successful introduction establishes tone, cadence, topic, and showcases your personality. Gain your audience’s attention and effectively deliver your presentation with an effective introduction. For more ways to engage your audience and improve presentation delivery , learn more presentation tips .

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How to do a Presentation About Yourself

‘A presentation about myself’ – I think this is one of the most dreaded speech topics.  Talking about yourself – it’s difficult to know what your audience want to know, and how much you should tell them.

Its all about you 

Unfortunately this also happens to be one of the most common speeches you will be asked to give. Whether you are applying for a new job, or starting a new course/class, quite often the first meeting will involve getting to know each other and this will often mean saying a little bit about yourself. Luckily this often has a short time scale, perhaps five or ten minutes so it isn’t as daunting as it sounds.

Firstly when planning your speech, break it down into three sections – a beginning, a middle and a conclusion. This will not only give your speech some structure but will also help with the writing of it.

To start with

The most important thing to remember with the beginning is that it doesn’t really contain any real information. Greet your audience with a warm welcome, tell them who you are and what you are going to talk about, and tell them why you are going to talk about it. Take a look at Making a Presentation:Part One .

The middle section

This is where you tell them about you, tell them about your hobbies, your hopes, your dreams, your goals. Don’t brag about what you have achieved but be informative about it. If it is relevant then you should definitely include achievements.

If you are at a job interview discuss the reasons for wanting the job, touch on some past experience and tell them why you think you are suitable. Back this up with an anecdote from your past if it is related. Tell them what you pride yourself on. This might be time-keeping, efficiency, people skills, or all of these. Be prepared for questions on this because they may ask for examples of when you have shown these skills.

If you are at school, or starting a new college course then tell them why you chose to go for the course, what interests you about that particular job or career, what experience you have had previously, and where you hope it will take you.

For some pointers, have a look at this article on Making a Presentation: Part Two 

Wrapping it up 

The most important point to remember here is never to add any extra information at this point, this is where you should ask the audience if they have any questions. Do a little preparation for this beforehand so that you are prepared for questions about something that you have not covered. Have a look at this article about preparing for your presentation. Finally, you should thank them for their time and attention. And that’s it, finished.

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i have been asked to do a presentation tomorrow, topic ” WHO AM I” i just dont know where to start, or what exactly to tell, should i just tell whats on my resume?

The position is Sales Manager i have exentensive experieince in Sales and Executive Account management.

Can anyone please give tips..

Yes, First you strat looking at the audience and tell them that you wish give details about you.

Greet and welcome the audience if you have Standard Slide you can use.

Tell about Strength of your point by point

Address they af if you are more interactive and confidence person.

Well I am participating in a tv show about new politicans and i don’t know how to do a presantation of my self.. 🙁 I know what to tell about me but not exactly what the others need to hear from me ..

my skool sed we needed 2 do a presentation about our selves 2 the class but i dnt no how 2 present it or wat 2 do so does any1 hav any ideas???

I have to give presentation in my class on many topics like About yourself, success to me, business attributes, your Hero/ your inspiration, personal attributes, happiest moment ( moments), Efficiency norms, Handling mails- incoming and outgoing, your goal/ Ambition, Agenda, if you born again who would like to be?, Minutes, Your Dreams, Five years from now, Filling, Best Friend, Do you believe in luck/ hard-work/ destiny/ God, about my institute named as stenodac. please help me out i have never faced audience i am confused about these topics i don’t know what to say, how to present.

hey i have to do 5 minutes presentation about my self .i dont know where to start please give me ideas

thax very much for this valuable information.

I want a presentation on myself.which should be at a level of entrance examination.n should b fasinating.

Hi everyone.plsss.tel me exactly the point.i have a presentation Tomorrow im a teller but i dont know how to start presentation thank you

I need a big help on this please. How can I create who I am topic ?

going for an interview tomorrow of being a drill and blast clerk…have no idea on how to present my introduction…the job requires an individual who have knowledge on the use of microsoft suite and should be desirable on business administration …please hep

i have to tell a speech ‘who am i ‘ i don’t know how to start. pls help me i am still a student who goes to school.

by the way this info helped me alot:)

I’m need where to start and habby,weaknesses, strength,activities,

It’s good…………

tomorrow is my presentation on role of computers in education sector.

hi this was great but i want the audiance to knd of help me or choose questions for it, its next week so i have time but my other presentations have been so good i dont want this one to drag behind! plus i know that they dont have a long attention span so it needs to be very intersting! #HELP!!!

hey i need an introduction for a report onpresenting ideas.

i have to do a video presentation for a pageant. any ideas of what to say?

well done. it’s helps me alot

i need to do a self introduction presentation for my placements. the problem i have is it should be just 3 slides with welcome and thank you slide if any. Can anyone help me out with this???

Hi I’m going for a promotion and I’ve been asked to do a 10 min presentation on 5 sections, why you believe the position is right for you, what skills and attributes you believe you will bring to the role, what you believe is essential to be successful in the role, what you think the main challengers will be and anything else that you think will add value to the application. I have a few ideas but not to sure how to start it and set it out. can you help

Tomorrow i will have a presentation about myself.can u show me an example how can i do at the first at the middle and at the end

I am very confused Because tomorrow i present my self in 2 minuts and i don’t know how can i..

Wow this really helped me with my presentation about my life. Thank you So Much!!!!!!!! 😉

I am a new employee and I am asked to do a presentation to introduce myself and my role to the top management. What should I name it?

I need the basic equipment for presentatating myself in my class.

Hey I’m doing a presentation tomorrow for second part of a interview, I have been told it can be anything from hobbies to a object. I don’t know where to start or what to do it on, it’s only 5 minutes in front of one manager. The company is a sale advisor I’m going for, anybody got any pointers or ideas Thanks

Hello Students, Before I start my presentation I would thank My Teacher__________ and you. My name is_________ and I will present for you about __________ And then you can start your presentation.

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8 Effective Ways to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

How to Write a Problem Statement Slide

How to write the perfect titles for your slides, pro tips to create an impactful employee induction presentation, powerful endings: how to conclude a presentation for maximum impact.

Several studies have shown that you only have 7 seconds to make an everlasting impression on your audience in a presentation. It means these few seconds are critical as your audience makes a subconscious decision of whether what you speak is worth listening to or not. 

Presenters generally begin a presentation with their self-introduction, and those 7 seconds cover-up in explaining about them. So, it’s important to make this part of your talk more powerful and captivating.

Self-introduction is not as easy as it seems to be. You would want to highlight your achievements, but at the same time, you won’t want to blow your trumpet. You would not want to share every minute detail about your life, but you won’t want to miss out on telling any important thing about yourself to the audience either. In a nutshell, when you have to introduce yourself, you are in a dilemma – what to say and what not to say.

In this article, we have provided you with some tips and ways to overcome this dilemma and make your self-introduction memorable. Let’s start!

Why is Self-Introduction Important?

A self-introduction is an easy way to start a conversation. You get the opportunity to highlight your skills, educational background, interests, and experience. In short, it gives a brief idea about your personality. Also, this part sets the tone for your entire presentation. Hence it should be compelling enough to woo your listeners.

Creative Ways to Introduce Yourself to the Audience

1. start with your name and background information.

Though this is an age-old way of self-introduction, it’s always in trend and most preferred by global presenters.

State your name, the organization you are representing, the position you hold, and some facts that give a concise idea about your personality.  

For example, you can start in this manner-

“Greetings, I am Stella Harris working for XYZ Company for the past 6 years.”

2. Tell Your Personal Tagline

A tagline is a catchphrase that tells the audience about the value/service you create for the customers. 

Just like big brands create a tagline to increase their product awareness,  you can use this idea to highlight your strength and passion in a single statement. Craft a personal tagline that is catchy, precise, memorable, and customer-oriented.

Here are some tips on how to create a personal tagline for yourself.

• Do a self-assessment and identify your strengths and achievements.
• Assess your skills, values, and passion.

Now brainstorm the above points and jot down the words that best describe you.  Choose the main keyword and phrase a catchy one-liner around that keyword. Don’t forget to keep it short. 

3. A Punchy Elevator Pitch

Sharing your unique strengths, key skills, and abilities all in one go is quite a challenge. An elevator pitch is one of the best ways to connect with a new audience and communicate the value you can create for them. An elevator pitch is a short description of who you are and what you do within a time span of 30 seconds or less. 

While writing an elevator pitch, be sure to keep it goal-oriented and add a hook to reel the audience’s attention in a jiffy.

4. Share a Less-Known Fact About Yourself

Find out what makes you stand out from the crowd. Highlight your unique work experience.

For example, you can share with the audience that “In my job, I have had the opportunity to work with several kinds of people. This allowed me to understand different work styles. And, with time, I have gained amazing leadership and team-building skills. In the past 2 years, I have successfully completed XYZ number of projects.”

5. Tell a Quote that Best Describes You

Quotes are a powerful way of expressing your strongest persona. Using them in your self-introduction can help you connect quickly with a larger audience.

For example, you can begin with any of these quotes and then explain how this quote best reflects your personality.

“You are what you think.”

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” – John C. Maxwell, American author

6. Highlight Your Expertise that is Applicable to the Audience

The skills that you share should be audience-focused. Hence, you need to be very clear about what your audience wants from your presentation beforehand. Share your key credentials that can build a good rapport with your listeners.

7. Share Similarities

Shared interests contribute to the formation of new networks. When you share your interests and similarities with other people in a presentation, it engages the audience till the last minute. Also, it encourages more participation and conversation, which results in the ultimate success of the presentation.

8. Tell a Story

Starting off a presentation with a short personal story takes your audience on a journey that you have traveled. It reveals the passion for your work, the struggles you faced, and how you dealt with the challenges. But before you jumpstart on storytelling, you must know the audience’s pain points. It will evoke empathy and build trust because they will be able to easily relate to your story.

Some Quick Tips 

• Don’t brag while talking about yourself.
• Thoughtfully organize and rehearse your self-introduction.
• Know your audience, their pain points, and interests. Create your self-introduction based on that information.
• Be authentic while sharing any facts about yourself.
• Use a conversational tone while speaking to establish a quick connection with your audience. 

To Conclude

Introducing yourself is itself a nerve-wracking task. And, if you have to give a speech in front of an unfamiliar group, it may break you out in a cold sweat. The whole point of self-introduction is to make your audience familiar with you and make them understand why it is worth it for them to stay and listen. Starting your presentation with a well-prepared, engaging, and powerful self-introduction can help you build a relationship of trust with your listeners from the very first moment. 

For a more impactful self-introduction, you can use pre-designed PowerPoint templates and let your personality shine through creative slides.

Follow the above-mentioned ways outlined in this blog and make a mark while introducing yourself in the next presentation.

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A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself

• Andrea Wojnicki

Think: present, past, future.

Many of us dread the self-introduction, be it in an online meeting or at the boardroom table. Here is a practical framework you can leverage to introduce yourself with confidence in any context, online or in-person: Present, past, and future. You can customize this framework both for yourself as an individual and for the specific context. Perhaps most importantly, when you use this framework, you will be able to focus on others’ introductions, instead of stewing about what you should say about yourself.

You know the scenario. It could be in an online meeting, or perhaps you are seated around a boardroom table. The meeting leader asks everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Suddenly, your brain goes into hyperdrive. What should I say about myself?

• Andrea Wojnicki , MBA, DBA, is an executive communication coach and founder of Talk About Talk, a multi-media learning resource to help executives improve their communication skills.

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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How to make your presentation sound more like a conversation.

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The main difference between strong, confident speakers and speakers who seem nervous in front of the room is in how relaxed and conversational they appear. Here are some basic pointers that will help you create a conversational tone when speaking, regardless of the size of your audience.

1. Avoid using the word, “presentation.” Every time you say, “I’m here to give you a presentation on X,” or, “In this presentation, you’ll see…,” you are emphasizing the formal, structured, sometimes artificial nature of the interaction. No one wants to be “presented” to. Instead, use language that emphasizes a natural, conversational exchange. “We’re here today to talk about X,” or “Today I’ll be sharing some ideas regarding Y.” You can even go so far as to say, “I’m glad we have time together today to discuss Z.” Even if your talk is not going to truly be a dialogue, you can use language that suggests engagement with the audience.

2. If you are using PowerPoint, avoid using the word “slide.” Instead of talking about the medium, talk about the concepts. Swap out, “This slide shows you…,” for, “Here we see….” Instead of saying, “On that slide I showed you a moment ago,” say, “A moment ago we were discussing X. Here’s how that issue will impact Y and Z.” Casual conversations don’t usually involve slide decks. Just because your complicated presentation on tax exposure, supply chain issues, or new health care regulations requires you to use slides, doesn’t mean you have to draw attention to that fact that the setting is formal and structured.

3. For many large-group events, speakers are provided with what’s called a “confidence monitor,” a computer screen that sits on the floor at the speaker’s feet showing the slide that appears on the large screen above the speaker’s head. Avoid using confidence monitors. Our natural inclination when using a confidence monitor is to gesture at the bullet point we’re discussing at the moment. However, we are pointing to a bullet point on the screen at our feet, which the audience can’t see, so it creates a disconnect between us and the audience. Instead, stand to the side of the large screen and gesture at the bullet point you’re talking about so that the audience knows which point you are discussing at the moment.

4. Don’t tell your audience, “I want this to be interactive.” It’s your job to make it interactive. If you are delivering the type of presentation where your audience size allows you to create true engagement with your listeners, create that connecting in stages to “warm up” the audience. Stage One engagement is to ask the audience a question relevant to your topic that you know most of the audience members can respond to affirmatively. “Who here has ever bought a new car?” or, “How many of you have ever waited more than 5 minutes on hold on a customer service line?” Raise your hand as you ask the question to indicate to the audience how to respond. Whoever has raised their hand has now participated in the discussion. They have indicated a willingness to engage. Stage Two engagement is calling on one of the people who raised their hand and asking a specific, perfunctory question. Again, it needs to be a question they can answer easily. If your first questions is, “Who here has bought a new car?” you can then call on someone and ask, “How long ago,” or “What kind of car did you buy most recently?” If your first question was, “Have you ever waited on hold for more than 5 minutes,” you can’t ask, “What company were you calling at the time?” The people who raised their hands weren’t thinking of a specific instance; they were just thinking broadly about that type of experience. You could, however, call on someone and ask, “Do you prefer when they play music or ads for the company’s products?” Anyone can answer that question. At that point, you are in an actual dialogue with that person. Stage Three engagement is asking them a question where they need to reveal something more personal. “How does that make you feel when you hear those ads?” You’ve warmed up your audience and drawn them in with baby steps. Now you have actual, meaningful audience participation.

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5. Use gestures. When we’re speaking in an informal setting, we all use hand gestures; some people use more than others, but we all use them. When we try to rein in our gestures, two things happen that diminish our speaking style. First, we look stiff and unnatural. We look like we are presenting a guarded or cautious version of ourselves; we look less genuine. Second, hand gestures burn up the nervous energy we all have when speaking in front of a large group. That’s good. When we try to minimize our hand gestures, we tie up that nervous energy and it starts to leak out on odd ways, where we start to tap our foot, fidget with our notes or microphone, or tilt our head side to side to emphasize key points. Just let the gestures fly. It’s unlikely they will be too large or distracting. I have coached people on their presentation skills for 26 years. In that time, I have met three people who gestured too much. Everyone else would benefit from using their gestures more freely.

The impact we have as communicators is based on the cumulative effect of many different elements of our delivery. These suggestions alone won’t make you a terrific presenter. They will, however, add to the overall package your present of yourself when speaking to large audiences.

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