Public speaking itself is usually difficult for most people and effective public speaking is a skill which must be learned, although there are a few naturals which just have the God given knack.
When I say public speaking, I'm not referring to a spontaneous verbalization of a point of view at a PTO meeting, I'm referring to advanced notice, such as a formal speech to an organization.
Conquering the fear of public speaking is one matter, but being able to convey information in a form and manner in which people will readily accept it, is another matter. Naturally, knowing your subject matter, audience and performing your due diligence in research gives you an excellent platform to begin, but it's only a lifeless piece of paper with notes scribbled on it until you breathe life into it.
One must remember people are people. Of course education, wealth or position in society greatly affects the way people act, but whether they're wearing tuxedoes and evening gowns or blue jeans and t-shirts, people are essentially the same.
To believe what a person is saying, especially a stranger, they must respect his level of expertise on the subject he's talking about, credibility is the only way to achieve an attentive audience.
People respond to humor, different jokes for different folks, but humor is a universal emotion which is forever ingrained in humans. One must learn to capitalize on it when appropriate.
I realize we haven't touched on the subject of self introduction, but it was essential we cover a few basic elements of public speaking first. To do otherwise would be like reading a book beginning in the middle, you may catch up with the plot, but it'll take you time and why waste that time.
Self introduction smacks of arrogance and conceit. There will be a speaker whose job it is to formally introduce you to the audience, why would you then get up and brag on yourself?
Let's revert back to the beginning, public speaking is not easy and the speaker introducing you may want to get through it as quickly as possible. He doesn't care what impression he gives the audience about you or may care, but not know how to convey it.
So the speaker says a quick 30 second introduction to an audience who have never laid eyes upon you, what an awkward situation to begin a speech in which your credibility accounts for half the ability to effectively converse with the people. What to do?
This is the definition of Self Introduction. It's not being a braggart, it's salvaging a situation which could have a great importance to a great many people.
In order to not appear bragging or boring, just as bad, when relating some of your accomplishments, establishing the credibility which should have already been in place, use a story to lead into the introduction.
If you're a chemist, relate a story of how an intern removed your experiment, which the audience will already know from their general knowledge resulted in an important medical break through, from the oven to cook his lunch. You have used humor and a story to establish to the audience that what you have to say is important and it's benefit them to listen.
There is always the flip side of the coin where the speaker introducing you loves to hear himself talk, so he lists the 50 or so awards you've been given from prestigious organizations. Inadvertently, he has placed you so far above what the audience perceives as their knowledge level, he's shut them down to what you have to say.
You must bring yourself back to being a human being. Using humor is a great tool for this. You can take the podium and remark you kept looking around for who the speaker was talking about, or you were ready to pour ice water on the speakers leg to get him to shut up.
Without degrading your expertise, you have made yourself relatable to the audience once again.
Self introduction is a tool which every public speaker needs to be able to use as required.
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