August 7, 2025 • 13 mins
What’s the real secret to making an introduction that people actually remember—and want to follow up with? If you’ve ever found yourself rattling off your name, job title, and a couple of generic facts only to watch the other person’s eyes glaze over, you’re not alone. In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I break down why most 30-second introductions fall flat, and how to craft one that instantly sets you apart.
Today we’re focusing on one of the most overlooked skills in professional communication: the art (and science) of a memorable introduction. There’s no featured guest this time—it's just me, drawing on my experience as a communication coach and former college professor, to walk you through a research-backed formula that will transform the way you present yourself in every first impression.
Here’s what we covered in today’s episode:
- Why most standard introductions get ignored (and the science behind first impressions)
- The role of nonverbal communication—what people notice first and why it matters
- The primacy effect and how what you say first shapes how you’re remembered
- Shifting from job titles to value-driven statements
- The three-part Confident Connection Formula: hook, value statement, and conversation starter
- Real-world examples of transforming forgettable intros into memorable ones
- The importance of vocal modulation, body language, and strategic pauses
- Practical steps for refining your own introduction
- Why a great introduction isn’t about perfection—it’s about making progress
Whether you’re networking, interviewing, or just meeting someone new, these skills help you show up with clarity and confidence from your very first word. Don’t forget to grab your free ebook at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, check out my upcoming course, and keep practicing—because your voice truly has the power to change your world.
Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tim Newman (00:09):
Welcome back to Speaking with Confidence, the
podcast that helps you build thesoft skills that lead to real
results Communication,storytelling, public speaking
and showing up with confidencein every conversation that
counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on your
journey to becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
Today, I want to talk about theimportance of the 30-second
(00:31):
introduction and some strategiesto help make yours memorable in
a good way.
I once heard a universitypresident ask someone to tell
them about themselves.
She wasn't prepared and shesaid I've always wanted to steal
a Tasty Cake truck.
Now, that was memorable, butnot the way we want to be
remembered.
And what if everything you knowabout introductions is wrong?
(00:53):
The standard hi, I'm Tim fromSpeaking with Confidence script
gets ignored more often than youthink.
Princeton researchers found thatour brains form first
impressions in a fraction of asecond, long before you finish
your opening line.
In fact, 69% of people form anopinion about you before you
(01:15):
even speak, and that means mostbasic introductions become
background noise Without anemotional hook.
Your name and title areforgotten almost instantly.
Let's see what happens when atypical introduction misses the
mark and fails to spark any realinterest.
Think about a typicalintroduction.
(01:36):
Hi, I'm Sarah.
I work in marketing at XCorp.
I've been there three years.
My team handles digitalcampaigns.
It's nice to meet you.
I've been there three years.
My team handles digitalcampaigns.
It's nice to meet you.
It's familiar, but it rarelylands.
In most settings.
This kind of intro fades intothe background almost instantly.
People's attentions drift andthe conversation stalls before
(01:58):
it even starts, and researchshows that we form opinions
about someone in less than 30seconds.
So if your introduction doesn'tstand out right away, it's
quickly forgotten.
And the problem isn't just thewords, it's the lack of impact.
Our brains prioritizeinformation that feels important
, useful or emotional, and whensomeone simply lists their job
(02:22):
title or tenure, it doesn'tregister as relevant or
memorable.
But if you shift your wordingand say I help companies save
millions by cutting ad waste,you immediately offer value.
And that's the kind ofstatement that grabs attention
because it suggests a clearbenefit.
And the difference here issubtle, but it's powerful and
(02:43):
instead of background noise, youbecome someone worth listening
to.
The first moments of anintroduction matter most because
of what's called the primacyeffect, and what you say at the
start carries far more weightthan anything that follows.
So if you open with I've beenin HR for 10 years, you risk
getting filed under genericprofessional.
(03:05):
But if you say I've stopped adozen wrongful termination
lawsuits by retraining managers,you become memorable and spark
curiosity.
The shift from generic tospecific, from job description
to impact, is what makes peoplelean in.
Nonverbal cues play a huge roleas well.
Is what makes people lean in.
Nonverbal cues play a huge roleas well, with up to 93% of
(03:26):
communication is nonverbal.
So posture, eye contact andespecially your smile all shape
first impressions.
A genuine smile can instantlyconvey warmth and
trustworthiness, while a lack offacial expression can create
distance.
People also notice clothing andcolor, where red signals status
(03:47):
and black suggests confidence.
These details matter becausejudgments form quickly, often
within the first moments of themeeting, and what you say and
how you say it both count.
Speaking in a flat, monotonevoice causes people to lose
interest, but adding energy andemphasizing action verbs keeps
(04:11):
their attention.
The most effective introductionsare concise, about 30 seconds,
giving you enough time toinclude a hook, a clear value
statement and something thatinvites further conversation.
Overloading your intro with toomany details or reciting a mini
resume only dilutes yourmessage.
The real mistake is making yourintroduction forgettable.
I build apps doesn't stick, butI built an app that cut ER wait
(04:38):
times in half, creates a reasonto ask for more Tone, word
choice and body language allwork together to make a strong
first impression.
When you focus on what mattersmost in those first 30 seconds,
you set the stage for a realconnection.
So how do you structure anintroduction that consistently
works?
(04:58):
There's a simple framework thatbrings all these elements
together and helps you makeevery second count.
The Confident ConnectionFormula is designed to help you
make a strong first impressionevery time, and this helps break
your introduction into threeessential parts a hook, a value
statement and a conversationstarter.
(05:18):
Each element plays a specificrole in making your introduction
concise, memorable and relevantto the context.
First, start with a hook.
This is your opening line.
It's meant to catch attentionand pull people out of autopilot
.
Instead of saying I'm Alex, afinancial advisor, you might say
(05:39):
I protect families fromretirement disasters.
This approach works because ithighlights what's at stake or
uses contrast to make your rolestand out.
A hook could also be a personaldetail or a surprising fact,
such as I turned my fear ofpublic speaking into a career
training in executives, or myteam found that many small
(06:00):
businesses misclassify employees.
People remember details thatsurprise them or draw a clear
picture.
Next is the value statement, andthis is where you make it clear
what you actually do and why itmatters, focusing on outcomes
rather than job titles.
Rather than saying I teachelementary school, you could say
(06:23):
I create reading programs thatmove struggling students up to
grade levels in 12 weeks, andthis tells your listener not
just what you do but thereal-world impact of your work.
The value statement addressesthe question of why anyone
should care about your role.
Research shows that earlyimpact is powerful 30% of
(06:44):
interviewers decide within thefirst five minutes if someone is
a good fit.
So communicating your valuequickly matters.
And the third element is theconversation starter.
Instead of closing with ageneric it's nice to meet you
end with a question or promptthat invites further discussion.
For example, I'm curious what'sbeen your biggest marketing
(07:08):
challenge this quarter?
Or, for an accountant, what'sone expense category that always
surprises your clients?
A good conversation starteropens a loop and encourages
engagement.
Timing is important.
Aim for about 10 seconds foryour hook, 15 seconds for your
value statement and five secondsfor your conversation starter.
(07:29):
At a natural speaking pace.
This structure fits easilywithin 30 seconds.
The primacy effect means thatwhat you say first shapes how
you're remembered, so put yourstrongest points up front.
Delivery also plays a key role.
Use vocal modulation.
Change your pitch and volume toadd emphasis and show
(07:50):
enthusiasm.
Emphasizing action verbs likesolve, improve or lead makes
your statement stronger and,with strategic pauses after key
points, allows your message toland.
Body language matters too.
Stand with an open posture,make eye contact and smile.
In fact, 82% of peopleassociate a genuine smile with
(08:14):
confidence during firstimpressions.
And here's how this frameworkworks in practice.
Let's take health care, forexample.
I reduce ER wait times bystreaming patient data to
ambulances.
My system cuts door-to-doortime by 22 minutes.
What's the biggest patient flowissue you've seen?
Or take tech.
(08:37):
I debug code that handles 5million daily transactions.
Last month, I stopped $480,000in fraud.
How does your team tacklesecurity updates?
Each example starts with a hook, highlights value and ends with
a prompt for conversation.
Understanding this framework isonly the first step To see how
(08:58):
it works in real situations.
Let's look at some commonintroductions and how they
transform when you apply theseprinciples.
Consider a real-world examplefrom a networking event.
Hi, I'm Mark.
I'm a sales manager at ThompsonIndustries.
We sell industrial equipment.
(09:18):
I've been there eight years.
It's nice to meet you.
While Mark's introduction isfactual, it doesn't create
interest, spark curiosity oroffer a reason to continue the
conversation.
The listener hears a job titleand tenure, but nothing that
stands out.
Research shows that one-thirdof adults form opinions within
just 10 seconds of meetingsomeone, so a bland intro like
(09:38):
this is often forgotten beforethe conversation even begins.
Now listen to how Mark'sintroduction changes.
With the Confident Connectionformula, I prevent manufacturers
from overpaying for equipmentthey don't need.
Last quarter my team saved aclient $350,000 by analyzing
their actual production volume.
What's the biggest costsurprise that you've seen in
(10:00):
machinery?
This version immediatelyreframes Mark as a problem
solver rather than just a jobtitle.
The specific dollar amountgives his value credibility and
the closing question opens adoor for genuine dialogue.
The difference is clear.
The first version is a list offacts.
The revised version uses a hookto capture interest, a value
(10:23):
statement that demonstrates realimpact and a question that
invites the listener to sharetheir own experience.
This approach taps into theprimacy effect what you say
first shapes how you'reremembered.
It also leverages nonverbalcues.
Research indicates that 76% ofpeople notice a smile first.
So pairing a value-led hookwith positive body language
(10:47):
makes your introduction evenmore memorable.
Let's look at another example.
Your introduction even morememorable.
Let's look at another example.
Lisa is a freelance designerand she might say I'm Lisa, a
freelance designer.
I do logos and websites.
I graduated from SCAD.
This tells you what she does,but not why it matters.
With the framework herintroduction becomes, I turn
(11:09):
confusing brands into visualstories.
People remember One redesignhelped the bakery triple
catering orders in six months.
What's the toughest brandingchallenge you faced?
The listener now sees Lisa'simpact and has an easy way to
respond.
Across roles and industries.
This transformation relies onthree research-backed principles
(11:30):
Replace job titles withoutcomes.
Use clear and specific valuestatements.
Industries.
This transformation relies onthree research-backed principles
Replace job titles withoutcomes, use clear and specific
value statements and inviteconversation with a targeted
question.
Early impressions matter 30% ofinterviewers make decisions
about a candidate within thefirst five minutes.
So starting strong is essential, and when you focus on what
(11:51):
your listener needs and presentyour value clearly, you invite
real connection instead offading to the background.
These small changes in yourintroduction can shift the
entire conversation and open thedoor for opportunities that
might otherwise pass you by.
So mastering your introductionis about using the brief
30-second window to captureattention and communicate your
(12:12):
value.
Forming an opinion aboutsomeone can take less than 30
seconds, so every word andgesture counts.
A well-structured introductionwith a hook, a value statement
and a conversation starter canset you apart and encourage real
engagement right from the start.
So try this practical exercise.
Record your introduction twice.
(12:38):
Notice where you lose focus ormiss your value statement.
Refine your delivery until yourmessage is clear and lands
within the first 15 seconds.
Again, remember 35% of peoplebelieve that the first
impressions are hard to change,so it's worth getting it right.
People may forget yourcredentials, but they'll
(12:59):
remember how you made them feel.
Remember we're looking forprogress, not perfection.
In the fall, I'll be launchinga new course, the Confident
Connection Formula, where I goin-depth and help you build a
powerful introduction and giveyou the tools to modify it for
any situation.
That's all for today.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
(13:19):
to get your free ebook Top 21Challenges for Public Speakers
and how to Overcome them.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking
course.
Always remember your voice hasthe power to change you.
We'll talk to you next time,take care.
Welcome back to Speaking with Confidence, the
podcast that helps you build thesoft skills that lead to real
results Communication,storytelling, public speaking
and showing up with confidencein every conversation that
counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on your
journey to becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
Today, I want to talk about theimportance of the 30-second
(00:31):
introduction and some strategiesto help make yours memorable in
a good way.
I once heard a universitypresident ask someone to tell
them about themselves.
She wasn't prepared and shesaid I've always wanted to steal
a Tasty Cake truck.
Now, that was memorable, butnot the way we want to be
remembered.
And what if everything you knowabout introductions is wrong?
(00:53):
The standard hi, I'm Tim fromSpeaking with Confidence script
gets ignored more often than youthink.
Princeton researchers found thatour brains form first
impressions in a fraction of asecond, long before you finish
your opening line.
In fact, 69% of people form anopinion about you before you
(01:15):
even speak, and that means mostbasic introductions become
background noise Without anemotional hook.
Your name and title areforgotten almost instantly.
Let's see what happens when atypical introduction misses the
mark and fails to spark any realinterest.
Think about a typicalintroduction.
(01:36):
Hi, I'm Sarah.
I work in marketing at XCorp.
I've been there three years.
My team handles digitalcampaigns.
It's nice to meet you.
I've been there three years.
My team handles digitalcampaigns.
It's nice to meet you.
It's familiar, but it rarelylands.
In most settings.
This kind of intro fades intothe background almost instantly.
People's attentions drift andthe conversation stalls before
(01:58):
it even starts, and researchshows that we form opinions
about someone in less than 30seconds.
So if your introduction doesn'tstand out right away, it's
quickly forgotten.
And the problem isn't just thewords, it's the lack of impact.
Our brains prioritizeinformation that feels important
, useful or emotional, and whensomeone simply lists their job
(02:22):
title or tenure, it doesn'tregister as relevant or
memorable.
But if you shift your wordingand say I help companies save
millions by cutting ad waste,you immediately offer value.
And that's the kind ofstatement that grabs attention
because it suggests a clearbenefit.
And the difference here issubtle, but it's powerful and
(02:43):
instead of background noise, youbecome someone worth listening
to.
The first moments of anintroduction matter most because
of what's called the primacyeffect, and what you say at the
start carries far more weightthan anything that follows.
So if you open with I've beenin HR for 10 years, you risk
getting filed under genericprofessional.
(03:05):
But if you say I've stopped adozen wrongful termination
lawsuits by retraining managers,you become memorable and spark
curiosity.
The shift from generic tospecific, from job description
to impact, is what makes peoplelean in.
Nonverbal cues play a huge roleas well.
Is what makes people lean in.
Nonverbal cues play a huge roleas well, with up to 93% of
(03:26):
communication is nonverbal.
So posture, eye contact andespecially your smile all shape
first impressions.
A genuine smile can instantlyconvey warmth and
trustworthiness, while a lack offacial expression can create
distance.
People also notice clothing andcolor, where red signals status
(03:47):
and black suggests confidence.
These details matter becausejudgments form quickly, often
within the first moments of themeeting, and what you say and
how you say it both count.
Speaking in a flat, monotonevoice causes people to lose
interest, but adding energy andemphasizing action verbs keeps
(04:11):
their attention.
The most effective introductionsare concise, about 30 seconds,
giving you enough time toinclude a hook, a clear value
statement and something thatinvites further conversation.
Overloading your intro with toomany details or reciting a mini
resume only dilutes yourmessage.
The real mistake is making yourintroduction forgettable.
I build apps doesn't stick, butI built an app that cut ER wait
(04:38):
times in half, creates a reasonto ask for more Tone, word
choice and body language allwork together to make a strong
first impression.
When you focus on what mattersmost in those first 30 seconds,
you set the stage for a realconnection.
So how do you structure anintroduction that consistently
works?
(04:58):
There's a simple framework thatbrings all these elements
together and helps you makeevery second count.
The Confident ConnectionFormula is designed to help you
make a strong first impressionevery time, and this helps break
your introduction into threeessential parts a hook, a value
statement and a conversationstarter.
(05:18):
Each element plays a specificrole in making your introduction
concise, memorable and relevantto the context.
First, start with a hook.
This is your opening line.
It's meant to catch attentionand pull people out of autopilot
.
Instead of saying I'm Alex, afinancial advisor, you might say
(05:39):
I protect families fromretirement disasters.
This approach works because ithighlights what's at stake or
uses contrast to make your rolestand out.
A hook could also be a personaldetail or a surprising fact,
such as I turned my fear ofpublic speaking into a career
training in executives, or myteam found that many small
(06:00):
businesses misclassify employees.
People remember details thatsurprise them or draw a clear
picture.
Next is the value statement, andthis is where you make it clear
what you actually do and why itmatters, focusing on outcomes
rather than job titles.
Rather than saying I teachelementary school, you could say
(06:23):
I create reading programs thatmove struggling students up to
grade levels in 12 weeks, andthis tells your listener not
just what you do but thereal-world impact of your work.
The value statement addressesthe question of why anyone
should care about your role.
Research shows that earlyimpact is powerful 30% of
(06:44):
interviewers decide within thefirst five minutes if someone is
a good fit.
So communicating your valuequickly matters.
And the third element is theconversation starter.
Instead of closing with ageneric it's nice to meet you
end with a question or promptthat invites further discussion.
For example, I'm curious what'sbeen your biggest marketing
(07:08):
challenge this quarter?
Or, for an accountant, what'sone expense category that always
surprises your clients?
A good conversation starteropens a loop and encourages
engagement.
Timing is important.
Aim for about 10 seconds foryour hook, 15 seconds for your
value statement and five secondsfor your conversation starter.
(07:29):
At a natural speaking pace.
This structure fits easilywithin 30 seconds.
The primacy effect means thatwhat you say first shapes how
you're remembered, so put yourstrongest points up front.
Delivery also plays a key role.
Use vocal modulation.
Change your pitch and volume toadd emphasis and show
(07:50):
enthusiasm.
Emphasizing action verbs likesolve, improve or lead makes
your statement stronger and,with strategic pauses after key
points, allows your message toland.
Body language matters too.
Stand with an open posture,make eye contact and smile.
In fact, 82% of peopleassociate a genuine smile with
(08:14):
confidence during firstimpressions.
And here's how this frameworkworks in practice.
Let's take health care, forexample.
I reduce ER wait times bystreaming patient data to
ambulances.
My system cuts door-to-doortime by 22 minutes.
What's the biggest patient flowissue you've seen?
Or take tech.
(08:37):
I debug code that handles 5million daily transactions.
Last month, I stopped $480,000in fraud.
How does your team tacklesecurity updates?
Each example starts with a hook, highlights value and ends with
a prompt for conversation.
Understanding this framework isonly the first step To see how
(08:58):
it works in real situations.
Let's look at some commonintroductions and how they
transform when you apply theseprinciples.
Consider a real-world examplefrom a networking event.
Hi, I'm Mark.
I'm a sales manager at ThompsonIndustries.
We sell industrial equipment.
(09:18):
I've been there eight years.
It's nice to meet you.
While Mark's introduction isfactual, it doesn't create
interest, spark curiosity oroffer a reason to continue the
conversation.
The listener hears a job titleand tenure, but nothing that
stands out.
Research shows that one-thirdof adults form opinions within
just 10 seconds of meetingsomeone, so a bland intro like
(09:38):
this is often forgotten beforethe conversation even begins.
Now listen to how Mark'sintroduction changes.
With the Confident Connectionformula, I prevent manufacturers
from overpaying for equipmentthey don't need.
Last quarter my team saved aclient $350,000 by analyzing
their actual production volume.
What's the biggest costsurprise that you've seen in
(10:00):
machinery?
This version immediatelyreframes Mark as a problem
solver rather than just a jobtitle.
The specific dollar amountgives his value credibility and
the closing question opens adoor for genuine dialogue.
The difference is clear.
The first version is a list offacts.
The revised version uses a hookto capture interest, a value
(10:23):
statement that demonstrates realimpact and a question that
invites the listener to sharetheir own experience.
This approach taps into theprimacy effect what you say
first shapes how you'reremembered.
It also leverages nonverbalcues.
Research indicates that 76% ofpeople notice a smile first.
So pairing a value-led hookwith positive body language
(10:47):
makes your introduction evenmore memorable.
Let's look at another example.
Your introduction even morememorable.
Let's look at another example.
Lisa is a freelance designerand she might say I'm Lisa, a
freelance designer.
I do logos and websites.
I graduated from SCAD.
This tells you what she does,but not why it matters.
With the framework herintroduction becomes, I turn
(11:09):
confusing brands into visualstories.
People remember One redesignhelped the bakery triple
catering orders in six months.
What's the toughest brandingchallenge you faced?
The listener now sees Lisa'simpact and has an easy way to
respond.
Across roles and industries.
This transformation relies onthree research-backed principles
(11:30):
Replace job titles withoutcomes.
Use clear and specific valuestatements.
Industries.
This transformation relies onthree research-backed principles
Replace job titles withoutcomes, use clear and specific
value statements and inviteconversation with a targeted
question.
Early impressions matter 30% ofinterviewers make decisions
about a candidate within thefirst five minutes.
So starting strong is essential, and when you focus on what
(11:51):
your listener needs and presentyour value clearly, you invite
real connection instead offading to the background.
These small changes in yourintroduction can shift the
entire conversation and open thedoor for opportunities that
might otherwise pass you by.
So mastering your introductionis about using the brief
30-second window to captureattention and communicate your
(12:12):
value.
Forming an opinion aboutsomeone can take less than 30
seconds, so every word andgesture counts.
A well-structured introductionwith a hook, a value statement
and a conversation starter canset you apart and encourage real
engagement right from the start.
So try this practical exercise.
Record your introduction twice.
(12:38):
Notice where you lose focus ormiss your value statement.
Refine your delivery until yourmessage is clear and lands
within the first 15 seconds.
Again, remember 35% of peoplebelieve that the first
impressions are hard to change,so it's worth getting it right.
People may forget yourcredentials, but they'll
(12:59):
remember how you made them feel.
Remember we're looking forprogress, not perfection.
In the fall, I'll be launchinga new course, the Confident
Connection Formula, where I goin-depth and help you build a
powerful introduction and giveyou the tools to modify it for
any situation.
That's all for today.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
(13:19):
to get your free ebook Top 21Challenges for Public Speakers
and how to Overcome them.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking
course.
Always remember your voice hasthe power to change you.
We'll talk to you next time,take care.
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