You’ve given this intro a hundred times.

You know exactly what you do, who you help, and the value you bring.

And still, when you finish, you see it.

Polite nods. Vague smiles. The conversational equivalent of a blank wall.

Here’s what’s actually happening:

Your intro is accurate. It’s just not memorable.

And in a world where people decide whether to keep listening in the first few seconds, accurate is not enough.

Why Most Intros Miss the Mark

The typical 60-second intro sounds something like this:

“I’m a [title] at [company]. I’ve been in [industry] for X years and I specialize in [thing].”

Technically correct. Completely forgettable.

Here’s why it doesn’t land. Most people build their intro around what they do, not around the problem they solve or the person they serve.

The person listening is not asking themselves, “What does this person do?”

They’re asking, “Is this relevant to me?”

If your intro doesn’t answer that question in the first two sentences, you’ve already lost the room.

The Three Gaps Most Professionals Don’t See

Gap 1: You lead with your resume, not your relevance.

Titles and tenure tell people where you’ve been. They don’t tell people why they should care. Lead with the outcome you create, not the role you hold.

Start by answering the question: “What do people walk away with after working with you?”

Gap 2: Your language is generic.

Words like “passionate,” “results-driven,” and “strategic thinker” are invisible. Everyone uses them. No one remembers them.

Be sure to use specific language to create a picture. Generic language creates noise.

Gap 3: You rush.

Nerves push us to fill every second. But a well-placed pause does more for your credibility than three extra sentences ever will.

Slow down. You have more time than you think.

What a Strong Intro Can Do For You

A memorable 60-second intro does four things:

•It names a problem the listener recognizes

•It positions you as someone who solves that problem

•It gives them one specific, concrete detail they won’t forget

•It ends with an invitation, not a period

That last one matters. Your intro should open a door, not close a presentation.

A Real Example of the Shift

Before: “I’m a communications consultant. I’ve been in the field for 15 years and I work with professionals on their presentation skills.”

After: “I am the go-to for smart, capable professionals who keep getting passed over in meetings, not because of what they know, but because of how they’re showing up. I help them close that gap.”

Same person. Same work. Completely different impact.

The second version creates a reaction. The first creates a nod.

Your Assignment for This Week

Rewrite your intro using this structure:

I am the guide for [specific audience]

who [name a problem or frustration they experience]

I partner with them [specific outcome], so they can [what becomes possible]

Then say it out loud. Not in your head. Out loud, to yourself, at your actual speaking pace.

Notice what feels awkward. That’s where the work is.

Want to Build This Together?

Click here for the details of my next in person workshop is May 20, 2026

Outside of Grand Rapids yet still want to work with me, click here a book your individual coaching session to create your intro.

Final Thought

People will forget most of what you say.

They will remember how you made them feel and whether you gave them a reason to keep listening.

Make it easy for them to say yes.