examples of a presentation about yourself

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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.

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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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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.

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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 you 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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