How to Give a Proper Introduction

When you meet someone new, you have less than three seconds to make a first impression, and first impressions are hard to change once they are made. One of the best ways to make a good first impression is to introduce yourself properly. Introducing yourself is more than just shaking hands; the introduction needs to lead to more conversation. If it doesn't, you'll end up with awkward silence.

Introductions in Three Steps

There are only three steps to remember when introducing yourself to a new person to guarantee a successful introduction:

1. The Handshake

In Western society, every introduction starts with a hand shake. There are a few key points to the handshake itself that will help make sure it's done right:

Stand
Lean slightly forward
Make eye contact
Smile!

The process for the handshake is as follows:

Greet with your name while taking the other person's hand
Wait to hear his or her name
Release

2. Introducing Yourself

After you release the handshake, it's time to introduce yourself with some additional details. This is important to do first, as it will set the flow of the rest of the conversation. The easiest thing to introduce is your title and business you are in. The important part comes next: after you give your title and business, wait for the other person to respond with his title and business.

3. Moving into Conversation

The last step is to move the introduction into conversation. Do not start by talking about yourself. The easiest way to move into conversation is to simply ask a question about the other person. One of the questions I typically use is "What initiatives are you currently focused on?" This will allow your new acquaintance to talk about something he or she is passionate about.

Following these three simple steps will give a good first impression, but will also more importantly allow an easy transition into lasting conversation with your new acquaintance.