Some people find self-introductions a nightmare, and others consider it second nature. Talking about yourself can feel strange and somewhat awkward. What do you say? How much should you say? Where do you even start?

The point of self-introductions is to uncover a little bit about yourself to your peers. You may need to do this in an interview, during a presentation, on the first day of a new job or class, meeting someone new, at a networking event, etc. This interaction will differ depending on the scenario and who you are communicating with. Whether you are in-person, online, in front of a small group, or large, professional, or casual, use these tips to introduce yourself with confidence and ease.

1. Use your name and job title. Start by sharing your full name, what you do, and/or your background. You can also add where you live, work, or what you hope to do in the future.

Examples:

• “Hi everyone. My name is Mary Smith, and I am the Marketing Director in Amazon’s Boston office.”
• “Let me introduce myself. My name is Mary Smith, and I am hoping to transition to a new position in my field. I am currently looking for a fulfilling marketing job instead of sales.”
• “Nice to meet you. My name is Mary Smith. I am from Milton, Massachusetts, and I am a recent graduate from Boston College.”

2. Add personal details. Again, your introduction will vary based on your audience. Elaborate on any information you think your acquaintances might find relevant. If necessary, share details about your past work experiences, any notable projects you have worked on, or any certifications and awards you have received. Here is your chance to be original and establish your knowledge and credibility. What do you want to be known for?

Examples:

• “I have over 8 years of social media and digital marketing experience. This year, I increased social media traffic to Amazon’s website by 50%.”
• “Last year, I completed HubSpot’s Web Developer Certification and recently won Most Creative Website Design from Star Web Enterprises.”
• “After receiving my MBA in Marketing, I discovered my passion for marketing management and customer insights.”

3. Close with enthusiasm. Wrap up your introduction on a light note: what you are most excited about and look forward to. You can also close with a “call-to-action,” so your peers know how to contact you later.

Examples:

• “It is great to meet you all, and please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn after the meeting.”
• “It has been a pleasure introducing myself, and I am excited for this opportunity to work with you.”
• “I look forward to joining the team and working with you all.”

Put it all together:

• “Hi, everyone. My name is Mary Smith, and I am the Marketing Director in Amazon’s Boston office. I have over 8 years of social media and digital marketing experience. This year, I increased social media traffic to Amazon’s website by 50%. It is great to meet you all, and please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn after the meeting.”
• “Let me introduce myself. My name is Mary Smith, and I am hoping to transition to a new position in my field. I am currently looking for a fulfilling marketing job instead of sales. Last year, I completed HubSpot’s Web Developer Certification and recently won Most Creative Website Design from Star Web Enterprises. I look forward to joining the team and working with you all.”
• “Nice to meet you. My name is Mary Smith. I am from Milton, Massachusetts, and I am a recent graduate of Boston College. After receiving my MBA in Marketing, I discovered my passion for marketing management and customer insights. It has been a pleasure introducing myself, and I am excited for this opportunity to work with you.”

Like most things in life, practice makes perfect. As a starting point, try incorporating the examples above in your introduction. Write down what you want to say and then rehearse with a friend. Speak with confidence (you know yourself better than anyone else), smile, and make eye contact with your audience. Present your authentic self, and it will draw your audience into what you are saying, and hopefully, you will gain some new relationships in the end!