To introduce yourself, smile, say your name, add one short line about why you are there or what you do, and then ask the other person something. For example: "Hi, I am Sam. I just joined the book club. How about you?" Keep it brief, relaxed and open so the other person can easily reply.
The simple formula
- Greeting and name. "Hi, I am Alex."
- A hook. One short, easy-to-pick-up detail: why you are here, what you do or what you like.
- A question. "How do you know the host?" or "What brings you here?"
That is all. The goal is not to impress but to give the other person an easy way into the chat.
Examples for different settings
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| Party | "Hi, I am Jo, a friend of Maria from university. How do you know her?" |
| Work, new team | "Hi, I am Priya, I started on Monday in design. What do you work on?" |
| Class or club | "Hi, I am Tom, it is my first time here. Have you been coming long?" |
| Networking | "Hi, I am Lena, I work in logistics. What brought you to this event?" |
| Neighbour | "Hi, I am Chris, I just moved into number 12." |
| Online or video call | "Hi everyone, I am Sam, joining from Zurich. Looking forward to learning from you." |
Use your own words so it sounds natural, and the what-to-say tool has more lines to pick from.
Make the hook interesting without bragging
A hook is not your CV. It is a small handle. Good hooks:
- Why you are here: "I am here because a friend dragged me."
- A hobby: "I have just started running."
- A light fact: "I moved here from Bern last month."
Avoid long job descriptions, complaints or apologies like "sorry, I am terrible at this".
Body language and voice
- Smile and make eye contact briefly. Eye contact tips cover how long is natural.
- Offer a handshake or nod if it suits the context.
- Slow down. Nerves speed speech, so your name can blur. Say it clearly.
- Stand open. Arms relaxed, not crossed.
Body language for confidence explains why posture influences how you feel and how others read you.
Remember their name
Right after they say it, repeat it: "Nice to meet you, Maria." Once more during the chat helps it stick. If you forget, simply say "Sorry, remind me of your name?" Most people appreciate the honesty.
What to do after the introduction
An introduction opens a door. To walk through it:
- Ask a follow-up to their answer.
- Share a small detail of your own.
- Look for common ground: location, work, interests.
- Move on warmly when ready, see how to end a conversation.
For flowing chat, read how to make small talk and how to keep a conversation going.
Introducing yourself in a group
Wait for a natural pause, make eye contact with the group and say your name with a brief hook: "Hi, I am Dana, I came with Ben." If you want a deeper walkthrough, see how to join a group conversation.
If you are nervous
Nerves are normal. Try this:
- Rehearse two versions of your introduction aloud once or twice.
- Breathe out slowly before you speak.
- Aim for kindness, not perfection.
- Start with the friendliest face in the room.
If nerves feel overwhelming, how to calm social anxiety before an event helps. Persistent, intense anxiety deserves a conversation with a doctor or therapist.
Practise before it matters
Introductions get easier the more you do them. Start with low-stakes ones: a barista, a neighbour, a fellow class member. Solo Era is an iPhone app with small missions to do alone and nervousness ratings before and after, including ones in a "people" category such as asking a staff member one genuine question. Practising these small exchanges makes the bigger ones less daunting. It is not therapy or medical care.
When your name is hard to pronounce
If people often stumble on your name, give them a handle straight away: "I am Siobhan, it sounds like shi-VAWN." Or: "I am Nguyen, like win with an N." Say it once, slowly, and smile. Then move on; do not apologise. If someone else's name is unfamiliar, ask: "Could you say that once more? I want to get it right." People nearly always appreciate it.
Pick the version for the room
| Situation | Goal | Length | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social gathering | Be easy to talk to | One sentence | "Hi, I am Jo, I know Maria from climbing. How about you?" |
| Hobby group or class | Find shared ground | Two sentences | "Hi, I am Tom, first time here. I picked up pottery after moving to town. What got you into it?" |
| Event for strangers | Start a chat | One sentence plus question | "Hi, I am Lena. I came because a friend recommended the speaker. What about you?" |
| Whole room, one by one | Be remembered | 10 to 15 seconds | "I am Sam, I live nearby and I am here to meet people who like board games." |
Quick walkthrough
- Walk up with open posture, not mid-sentence of someone else's chat.
- Say "Hi, I am [name]" with a smile.
- Add your hook before they have to ask.
- Ask one open question and listen to the answer.
- Say their name back once.
- Add one detail of your own, then keep the exchange going or finish warmly.
Common mistakes
- Reciting a CV. Keep it to one hook, not your whole job history.
- Skipping the question. Without it, the other person has nowhere to go.
- Staring at your phone first. Put it away before you approach.
- Saying your name too fast. Breathe, slow down.
- Over-apologising. "Sorry to bother you" is rarely needed in a place where people came to meet others.
Introductions at work are a separate skill
Colleagues, managers and remote teams call for different wording, tone and length, such as a short Slack message or a first-day pitch. If that is your situation, see how to introduce yourself in a new job.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
FAQ
What if the other person does not say their name?
Offer yours first and then ask lightly: "I did not catch your name." Most people give it right away.
How do I introduce myself without sounding rehearsed?
Rehearse the structure, not the words. Know your name, one hook and one question, and let the rest come out in the moment. Conversation starters can help you pick a question.
How do I introduce myself in one sentence?
"Hi, I am [name], I [short hook], and you?" For example: "Hi, I am Noa, I have just joined the team, and you?"
How do I introduce myself professionally?
Use your name, role and a short context: "Hello, I am Sam Lee, I lead marketing at Acme. I am here to learn about X." Keep it under ten seconds.
What if I forget what I was going to say?
Say your name and ask a question. The question carries the conversation while you recover.
Should I shake hands?
In many professional settings yes, in casual ones a smile and nod work. Follow the other person's lead and local custom.
How do I introduce myself to a group of strangers?
Wait for a pause, give your name and one hook and ask something about the group. Our guide to joining conversations has more.
How do I introduce myself online?
Be brief, warm and specific about why you are there: "Hi all, I am Lea, new here and interested in photography."
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
