You’ve been there before, if just for a moment. You find yourself at a networking event, sales meeting or party where you aren’t familiar with those in the room.  Perhaps the host or facilitator started off by introducing you but then left you on your own, or perhaps you walked in cold, completely having to fend for yourself.

You can prevent others from feeling that way! It’s all in your introduction.  So whether you are hosting the event or are introducing someone you just met, you can make people feel welcome and at ease.

Low angle view of two business executives shaking hands

Etiquette is all about keeping you and those around you in the best light possible and knowing how to give a proper introduction does just that. It puts both your guests at ease, establishes a connection, and promotes conversation.

Etiquette is all about keeping you and those around you in the best light possible and knowing how to give a proper introduction does just that. It puts both your guests at ease, establishes a connection, and promotes conversation.

Let me introduce you to a 3-Step Introduction: Connection, Relationship, and Tidbit!

Connection

Recognizing the need for an introduction between two parties is a critical part of hosting or participating in a networking event.  Constantly looking for commonality between attendees helps the group mesh and benefit from knowing each other.  Its then your job to make those connections, which starts with a simple exchanging of names.

Note: When introducing two people, if there is a hierarchy, think of it as presenting the other person to the “superior.”  Or in the words of my 1983 copy of Miss Manners’ Guide To Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, “men are introduced to women, strangers to one’s relatives, young people to old, and common people to exalted ones.”

Complete Introduction (superior name can go at the beginning or at the end):
Mrs. Claus, this is Mr. Elf.

This is Mr. Elf, Mrs. Claus.

If you find yourself in a quandary and are unsure of who in this particular situation is the superior, you can skip the complete introduction and go straight for a shortened version.

Short Introduction (correct order is assumed regardless of whose name is said first):
Mrs. Claus, Mr. Elf.

Mr. Elf, Mrs. Claus.

After the standard name introduction, these following two steps give your guests a more complete picture and start the conversational ball rolling.

Relationship

How do you know each other? Include that information in your introduction to orient the two parties.  It is perfectly acceptable to say you just met.  Also, if you met at an AA meeting or a place you’d rather not discuss, you can be vague or instead switch to how long you’ve known each other. “This is Jim. We met a few months ago and have attended several networking events recently.”

Tidbit

This last step takes a touch of finesse but is key for successful conversation and comfortable guests. In your introduction, after steps one and two, introduce a bit of
personal or professional, depending on the type of event) detail about each person as a starting point for the conversation. Let’s say a friend just came back from a trip to a beach/mountain/international locale and your other friend loves to travel, has just returned from the same spot or frequently gives tours, let them know!

So whether you are hosting a party, a networking event, or were the one feeling on the outside a few minutes ago and now see an attendee walking in the door looking for an anchor, you can use these techniques to establish connections and initiate conversation!