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How to Introduce Yourself Professionally

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

August 30, 2024

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Making a strong connection can happen in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s a chance encounter at a conference or a formal job interview, a professional introduction sets the tone for the entire interaction.  

But let’s face it: Figuring out how to introduce yourself professionally can be nerve-wracking. Beyond the words you say, nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in shaping your first impression. 

Your body language, tone of voice, and eye contact can convey as much, if not more, than your verbal introduction. A firm handshake, a genuine smile, and active listening demonstrate confidence, interest, and respect.

This article will give you the tools to craft a confident and impactful introduction and move beyond your communication challenges . 

Job interview

New colleagues, email/letter introduction, asking a favor, personal commercial (elevator pitch), write a compelling introduction with clickup chat, elevate professional introductions with clickup brain, nail your first impression with clickup .

Various Scenarios of Professional Introduction

First impressions and personal connections matter, regardless of your job title. Whether you’re meeting hiring managers, connecting with colleagues, or reaching out for help, a strong professional introduction sets the tone for all your communication goals . 

Here’s how to tailor your intro and practice delivering it in different professional settings:

Job interviews can be stressful, but a well-prepared, brief introduction that highlights key skills can result in a successful interaction. 

💡 Pro Tip: Before the interview, learn about the company’s culture, work environment , professional settings, and the specific position you’re applying for. Research the interviewer’s name and professional background for a personal touch and quantify your accomplishments to demonstrate your value.

This shows your genuine interest and initiative. When you greet the interviewer, use the information you gathered to personalize your professional introduction. 

Here’s an example: 

“Hi [Interviewer name], it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m [Your name], and I’ve been particularly impressed by [Company’s] recent work on [Specific project] – especially [Specific detail of a proven track record]. 

My skills in [Your technical skills] align perfectly with the requirements you mentioned, and I’m confident I can contribute by [Briefly describe a specific benefit you bring and provide tangible evidence of your unique value proposition]. 

For example, in my previous role as a [Role], I [Highlight specific achievements].” 

A positive first impression with new colleagues can lay the foundation for strong professional relationships and business communication. A friendly and approachable introduction matched with a professional tone goes a long way in breaking the ice and building team trust . 

Take this example: 

“Hi everyone, I’m [Your name]. I’m thrilled to be joining the team! I have a professional background in [Your experience], particularly in [Specific area]. 

Outside of work, I enjoy [Hobbies or interests]. If you share my passion for [Hobby], let’s grab a coffee sometime!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to chat.

[Your name and signatures]” 

Look for opportunities to find common ground with your colleagues, perhaps shared professional experiences or interests. You can even share your contact details and key skills. This creates a sense of connection and opens doors for future collaboration in any professional setting.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t just introduce yourself in a professional manner—offer help and show your willingness to collaborate beyond your job title for the team’s success. This makes a positive impression and shows you’re a team player.

Most introductions now often take place virtually through emails or letters. A clear and concise self-introduction email with a catchy subject line is crucial. By establishing your credibility upfront, you grab the recipient’s attention and highlight your professional qualifications. 

Moreover, clearly stating your purpose at the very start in your self-introduction email ensures your message is well-received and avoids any confusion.

Example of a self-introduction email:

 “Dear [Recipient name], My name is [Your name], and I’m writing to you today about [Reason for email]. I’ve been following [Company/Their work] with great interest, especially [Specific achievement/project]. 

My experience in [Highlight key skills] has helped me [Previous accomplishment related to their needs]. I can help you achieve the same results. 

Here are some ideas: [Idea 1], [Idea 2], [Idea 3]. If any of these spark your interest, let’s have a quick chat. Does [Slot 1] or [Slot 2] work for you next week?

Looking forward to speaking soon!

Here’s another email from our team’s inbox!

Sometimes, you might need to reach out to someone for help in your professional life. A generic request for help might fall flat. By personalizing your introduction, you show genuine interest in the person’s expertise and make them feel valued. 

When you professionally introduce yourself, mention some valuable insights about what you admire about their work, strategic planning, or a recent achievement.

Consider offering something in return for their time and assistance. This will demonstrate your respect for their expertise and increase the chances of a positive response.

Example:  

“Hi Sarah, I hope this email finds you well. I recently came across your insightful article on data visualization techniques featured in [Publication]. I was hoping I could pick your brain for a bit.

I’m currently working on a presentation for a client, and your expertise in creating clear and engaging visuals would be incredibly valuable. Would you be free to chat sometime next week? 

I’m happy to return the favor by reviewing your presentation draft if you’d like or buying you a cup of your favorite coffee.”

Looking forward!

Suppose you have only 30 seconds to make a strong impression and professionally introduce yourself. This scenario might arise at a networking event or a chance encounter with someone who could be a potential client or collaborator. A captivating personal commercial or an elevator pitch can be a powerful tool to introduce yourself and your skills professionally.

Focus on the challenges faced by your target audience and how your unique skills, job title, or services provide the solution. Clearly describe the desired outcome you can deliver and the benefits your audience can expect.

A well-rehearsed pitch ensures a smooth and confident delivery. Practice your introduction out loud to refine your message and timing.

Example :  

“I’m [Your Name], a [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I specialize in crafting data-driven social media strategies that deliver tangible results. My proven track record includes:

• Increasing website traffic by up to [Percentage] through optimized content and targeted campaigns.
• Boosting engagement rates by [Percentage] with engaging visuals and captivating storytelling.
• Driving [Number] new leads per month for [Company or brand]

Let’s discuss how I can help you achieve similar results for your business?

A genuine smile, a confident tone, and a sprinkle of enthusiasm can elevate any introduction. So, go out there and make lasting personal connections with fellow professionals.

Role of Communication Tools in Professional Introduction

Networking can be a whirlwind. Trying to juggle introductions, remember names, and keep track of conversations across different self-introduction emails and chats is enough to make your head spin. But what if there was a way to simplify the whole process and make introductions a breeze?

That’s precisely where project management and communication software tools like ClickUp can help you. They simplify not just your entire client communication process but also make it easier to introduce yourself to your colleagues and team. 

Here’s how:

ClickUp Chat can be a valuable tool for facilitating personal introductions, especially in professional or networking settings. 

It allows teams to chat, share files, and collaborate seamlessly within their projects.

Here’s how ClickUp Chat can help you introduce yourself:

• Start a new chat with the team or individual you want to introduce yourself to
• Address the recipient by name using @mentions . This shows you’ve taken the time to personalize your message
• Write a clear and concise introduction. Include your name, your role or title, and a brief overview of your experience or interests
• You can also explain why you’re reaching out in a few sentences and clearly state how your message will benefit them
• Give the recipient enough information to understand the context of your message. If applicable, mention a prior interaction to establish continuity.
• If needed, share any documents, links, or other resources that can provide additional context
• Mention something you have in common with the recipient or a shared interest to add a personal touch and help break the ice
• Choose powerful words and phrases . Use language that conveys enthusiasm, confidence, and value without resorting to excessive jargon
• End with a call to action . Invite the recipient to reply, schedule a meeting, or connect further. Make it easy for them to respond by providing a clear and simple next step

Feeling at a loss for talking points in your formal greeting? ClickUp Brain , an AI assistant, can spark ideas to get you going. Need to personalize your message to formally introduce yourself to a hiring manager but are drawing a blank? ClickUp Brain helps you include key details that make your personal brand stand out and position you as an exceptional candidate.

• Generate ideas: Give ClickUp Brain a few keywords related to your introduction, and it will generate a variety of options
• Specify tone and style: Indicate whether you want a formal, informal, humorous, or serious introduction
• Analyze your current introduction: Paste your existing introduction into ClickUp Brain and ask for suggestions on how to improve it
• Identify areas for improvement: ClickUp Brain can point out weaknesses in clarity, conciseness, or engagement
• Request attention-grabbing openers: Ask ClickUp Brain to suggest interesting hooks or anecdotes to start your introduction
• Explore different approaches: Experiment with various hooks to find the one that best suits your topic and audience
• Provide audience information: Share details about your target audience, such as their interests, needs, and pain points
• Receive tailored suggestions: ClickUp Brain can generate introductions that resonate with your specific audience

Define your goal for the introduction. Are you hoping to spark collaboration in the workplace , share expertise, or simply make meaningful connections? Having clear professional goals guides your message.

Refresh your memory about the people you’re connecting with. Remember their skills and experience to personalize the introduction and showcase why this mutual connection is valuable. You can even integrate it with any communication plan template to ensure all your introductions are thoughtful and targeted.

You never get a second shot at a first impression, so make it count! Who knows, your next intro could be the one that lands you your dream job or connects you with a future business partner. And for planning and prepping such an introduction, you have communication apps and platforms like ClickUp. 

Sign up to ClickUp for free and brainstorm intro ideas, organize your thoughts, and even practice your delivery ( virtually, of course! ). So ditch the nervous jitters, step out there with confidence, and watch your introductions turn into exciting opportunities. Now, that’s how you start a conversation!

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During the First Day of Class

Just as in social situations, the more a person knows about you, the more comfortable you become. With teaching and learning, we can easily create a more comfortable and learning-focused environment by establishing a positive rapport among students and with the instructor. From the first few moments students are in your class, they will look for cues for how responsive you will be to them, as individuals, and the kind of effort you will make to care about them and their learning. Simple aspects of the first class such as the seating arrangements, how you introduce yourself, and how you help them connect with each other, can make a significant difference in how students respond to your requests for engagement. 

Optimizing the seating arrangements

The seating arrangement in a classroom can impact the atmosphere of the class and students' perceptions of it. Different seating arrangements can benefit different class activities like lectures, discussions, and different levels of student participation and interactions. So you can decide yourself or with input from the students about how the seats would be arranged during the first class depending on the types of activities you have planned. 

Plan to reach the classroom 5 minutes early. You can use the extra time to set up your devices for class, organize the handouts or other resources you plan to use, and greet your students as they enter the classroom. You can consider creating a greeting, a way to start class, that’s unique to you, that can establish the culture of the class and students know what to expect.

Introduce Yourself

On the first day of class, it is important to introduce yourself to the students covering all the essential information about you including:

• Your pronouns
• How you would like your students to address you 
• Your area of research
• Your office locations and office hours
• The best ways to reach you (e.g., in-person, email, etc.)

While introducing yourself, be mindful about which information you want to reveal and which you would not. Express your passion for your subject matter. Students are much more likely to engage in a class that is designed to share someone’s passion. As with stories, identify points throughout the lesson and/or semester where you can express personal interests, and background on that interest, so students can more easily relate to you and the content. This can easily be done without revealing specific, personal information.

Help students learn about each other

Spend a few minutes on the first day of class to help the students get to know each other to create a welcoming, social environment. In a small class, you can encourage each student to introduce themselves and share their hobbies, interests, and other interesting information with the rest of the class. In a large classroom, this approach may be too time-consuming. So instead, you may have the students break into pairs or small groups to introduce themselves to each other. 

Using icebreakers can be effective in helping students be more comfortable with the cohort. Icebreakers that are relevant to the course contents would be the most appropriate ones to facilitate the introductory interactions among students. Following is a list of resources that can help you ideate icebreakers that are customized for the course:

• The K. Patricia Cross Academia: 6 Icebreakers to Help Students Feel Comfortable in Your Class
• University of Michigan: Icebreaker Grab Bag
• UC San Diego: Icebreakers, Team Building Activities, and Energizers

Discuss learning objectives and expectations

One of the most significant activities on the first day of class would be clarifying the learning objectives of the course. You can shed some light on how the objectives will be met through various activities and how these relate to real-world scenarios and applications. You should also focus on setting expectations for student behavior and commitment. Discuss the information your students need to know to engage with different elements of the course and be successful. Prepare to provide clarifications on:  

• The teaching-learning approaches to be used in the course
• The ways they should prepare before each class
• General behavioral expectations from the students (e.g., punctuality, participation, offering feedback, etc.)
• The amount of time and effort they would need to be successful in the course 

Share an overview of the course contents and requirements

Take some time during the first class to share a brief overview of the course content. You can consider going through the syllabus and gathering some information from the students on which topics they find most important or relevant to them, and other issues they have about the course content. 

Involve students on day one of the class in an activity similar to what they will experience the rest of the semester. This helps set an early expectation of what class time will be like and what your expectations are for participation. 

Utilize the assignments and/or activities on the first day that ask students to connect course material to their own lives, personal interests, or career goals. While the process of making this connection is beneficial to the learning - through its focus on relevance, it also provides you as the instructor insight into your students’ lives, interests, and ambitions.

Also, provide an overview of the assessment methods and grading criteria for the course. Explain how many assignments they will need to complete, how they will be evaluated, and how their assignments will be graded. You can consider giving them a sense of your expectations and flexibility regarding the assessment and evaluation approach for the course. You should also encourage them to share their feedback with you when prompted. 

Collect data regarding students' knowledge and motivation

Plan to collect some information regarding your students' baseline knowledge relevant to the course. You can consider preparing a set of questions, or a survey to test their prior knowledge, and based on the data obtained, decide on activities to facilitate bridging the identified gaps. Here is a sample knowledge probe that you can use to identify the best starting point for the class as a whole:

• Background knowledge probe 

You should also focus on getting a sense of their motivation to take the course. Consider exploring the reasons they are interested in the course, their expectations from it, and what challenges they anticipate during the course timeline. This will help you customize your teaching approach to best suit the student groups. Know that most student resistance will present itself in a passive form. Determine ahead of time what course of action you will take to address those students not participating. See the section on Student Resistance for more strategies for navigating these scenarios.

Share logistics and resources available to the students 

Finally, take a few minutes to share the university, department, library, and other resources available to the students throughout the course timeline. Remind them of the relevant administrative procedures, drop-add dates, caps on enrollment, Virginia Tech plagiarism policies,  honor code, etc. 

If you have Teaching Assistants (TA) assigned for the course, plan from the beginning of the semester to incorporate them effectively into the classroom community. Students need to feel like the TAs are part of the class, are aware of what is going on in class, and have the expertise to assist them before they will willingly seek out TA’s help. If the TA is never seen or heard from, it creates the impression that the TA is not someone who can assist with the course material. To help incorporate TAs into the classroom, consider these suggestions:

• Introduce the TA on the very first day and have the TA lead a short activity. This will help create the impression that the TA is knowledgeable and integrated into the course.
• Require that your TA is present during class time. This will ensure that the TA knows what is going on during class.
• Have planning and/or feedback meetings regularly with your TA.
• Ensure that the TA is available for at least some time prior to and directly after class to help address students’ questions and concerns.
• While not always possible, try to have the TA’s office hours at a time most students can access. For example, office hours from 10 am - 12 pm are likely going to be when most students are in other classes. However, this allows for some creative thinking like offering virtual office hours online during the week.

CETL Services Available for You

• --> General Item Instructional Consultations -->
• --> General Item Mid-Semester Feedback -->
• --> General Item Program or Departmental Consulting -->
• --> General Item Teaching Observations -->
• --> General Item Teaching Philosophy Support -->
• --> General Item Course Design Clinic -->

Measuring Dimensions of Self-Presentation in Twitter Bios and their Links to Misinformation Sharing

Social media platforms provide users with a profile description field, commonly known as a “bio,” where they can present themselves to the world. A growing literature shows that text in these bios can improve our understanding of online self-presentation and behavior, but existing work relies exclusively on keyword-based approaches to do so. We here propose and evaluate a suite of simple, effective, and theoretically motivated approaches to embed bios in spaces that capture salient dimensions of social meaning, such as age and partisanship. We evaluate our methods on four tasks, showing that the strongest one out-performs several practical baselines. We then show the utility of our method in helping understand associations between self-presentation and the sharing of URLs from low-quality news sites on Twitter , with a particular focus on explore the interactions between age and partisanship, and exploring the effects of self-presentations of religiosity . Our work provides new tools to help computational social scientists make use of information in bios, and provides new insights into how misinformation sharing may be perceived on Twitter.

Introduction

On social media sites like Tumblr (Yoder et al. 2020 ) , Twitter (Li et al. 2020 ; Rogers and Jones 2021 ; Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) , TikTok (Darvin 2022 ) , and Parler (Bär, Pröllochs, and Feuerriegel 2023a ) , the profile description field (or bio ) asks users to describe themselves in a single text box. Users commonly do so with a combination of delimited phrases, each of which can range from unigrams like “Republican” to more complex expressions like “2020 Election Truth Seeker” (Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) .

In most social settings, people aim to present to others only a single social identity (MacKinnon and Heise 2010 ; Schröder, Hoey, and Rogers 2016 ) . Examples of identities include social roles, like “doctor” and “mother”, group memberships like “Democrat” and “Yankees fan”, and social categories like “black people” and “women” (Tajfel and Turner 1979 ) . Bios thus present a unique setting where we can observe individuals explicitly labeling themselves with multiple social identities (Marwick and boyd 2011 ) . 1 1 1 Bios really express phrases that signal identity , what Pathak, Madani, and Joseph ( 2021 ) call personal identifiers . Here, we retain the phrase (social) identity as a familiar and concise shorthand. With respect to the language of self-presentation (Johnstone 1996 ) , bios are therefore an important tool for social scientists for three reasons.

First, bios provide insight into patterns of shared identity. For example, bios have been used to show that people who label themselves coffee snobs tend to be the same that label themselves marketing gurus (Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) . They have also been used to better understand the increasing entanglement of partisanship and culture in social identities in the United States (Essig and DellaPosta 2024 ; Phillips, Carley, and Joseph 2024 ) . Second, bios allow us to study links between the identities people select for themselves and behavior. Users’ choices on how to label themselves can be linked to, for example, decisions on who chooses to re-blog whom on Tumblr (Yoder et al. 2020 ) , or how people respond to marketing campaigns (Ng and Cruickshank 2023 ) . Finally, bios can help us identify people who share a certain characteristic. To this end, p rior work has also explored how bios can help identify individuals such as Qanon supporters (Bär, Pröllochs, and Feuerriegel 2023a ) and journalists (Zeng et al. 2019 ) , characterize the demographics associated with the self-presentation of particular identities (Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) , and even reflect current social movements (Rogers and Jones 2021 ; Hare and Jones 2023 ) .

Existing quantitative work on bios has, however, has focused almost exclusively on characterizing bios via the presence of particular phrases, whether through dictionary-based methods ( Rogers and Jones 2021 ; Zeng et al. 2019 ; Bär, Pröllochs, and Feuerriegel 2023b ) or through analysis of patterns in phrases extracted with regular expressions ( Yoder et al. 2020 ; Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ; Essig and DellaPosta 2024 ; Ng and Cruickshank 2023 ) . While findings from these approaches can be illuminating, they also make it difficult to study how bios align with particular dimensions of importance to social scientists, such as partisanship (Kozlowski, Taddy, and Evans 2019 ) . Acknowledging these challenges and opportunties, Jiang, Ren, and Ferrara ( 2023 ) develop an approach that uses modern NLP methods to infer ideological leanings implied by bios. However, their work focuses only on learning political ideology and also requires data beyond the bio itself to perform estimation. There thus exists a need for a method that can help us to measure self-presentation in bios in ways that 1) let us move beyond keyword-based methods and 2) beyond political ideology, 3) without requiring additional data.

To this end, the goals of this paper are two-fold. The first goal of the present work is to develop and evaluate three methods to project English-language social media bios onto multiple dimensions of social meaning, without retraining a new embedding model for each new desired dimension . Our methods are technically straightforward, in that we extend existing work on how to scale text along dimensions of meaning like gender and race using projections of text embeddings (Wilkerson and Casas 2017 ) . However, we build on this work by developing approaches specifically for the study of social media bios. Our models are grounded in the relevant social science , in that each method we present draws on social identity theory (Tajfel and Turner 1979 ) to learn bio embeddings by making use of the fact that many bios consist of multiple, clearly delimited social identities (Marwick and boyd 2011 ; Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) . As such, unlike in standard embedding models where we aim to embed words that mean the same thing closely together, our models aim to create embedding spaces (and projections of them) where phrases that are applied to the same people are close together in embedding space.

After describing our three approaches, we present an extensive validation across four tasks: 1) predicting which identities will appear in the same bio, 2) how projections of embeddings for specific identities within bios onto dimensions of age, gender, and partisanship correlate with human judgements, 3) whether projections using the embeddings of entire bios also correlate with human judgements, and 4) whether projections using the embeddings of entire bios correlate with other measures of user ideology, and show similar associations to behavior . Across all evaluation tasks, we find that the most effective model is an SBERT (Reimers and Gurevych 2019 ) model fine-tuned on bios . In Evaluation 1), we show that this model is best able to make predictions about identities the model has not seen, emphasizing its ability to generalize to new and unseen identities. Evaluations 2) and 3) show that this model effectively captures perceptions of how individuals present themselves, which is critical for understanding how other users interpret a particular bio (Heise 1987 ; Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) . Finally, while our focus is on what is implied to others when a user self-presents, rather than inferring some “truth” about a user , we show that estimates of user ideology by our method correlate with other known approaches for doing so. Moreover, we show that associations with behavioral patterns (of misinformation sharing) using our method are consistent with other approaches.

Having identified a single model to embed bios, we continue to the second goal of our work, which is to explore associations between self-presentation in bios and the rate of low- (relative to high-) quality news shares on Twitter . Specifically, we focus on two research questions that have not been addressed in the existing literature. First, perhaps the most well-established finding in this literature is that misinformation sharing is more prevalent among older, right-leaning individuals (Grinberg et al. 2019 ; Guess, Nagler, and Tucker 2019 ; Brashier and Schacter 2020 ; Osmundsen et al. 2021 ; Nikolov, Flammini, and Menczer 2021 ) . However, due in part to sample size restrictions, existing work has theorized (Grinberg et al. 2019 ) but not tested empirically the existence of an interaction between age and partisanship. In the present work, using two different large datasets of Twitter users, we indeed show for the first time that such an interaction effect exists between self-presentation of age and partisanship, in that self-presenting as older and Republican has a multiplicative association with misinformation sharing. Second, while scholars have suggested that religiosity is a critical dimensions of the self associated with misinformation sharing online, no empirical work has addressed this point (Druckman et al. 2021 ) . To this end, we present 1) new and convincing evidence that on average, presenting as more religious is strongly associated with misinformation sharing.

In sum, the present work provides three contributions:

We propose, evaluate, and make public 2 2 2 The model is publicly available for use on https://github.com/navidmdn/identity˙embedding . a simple, effective, and theoretically motivated tool to embed English-language bios in socially meaningful latent spaces.

We show that our method 1) can be used to project both individual social identities and entire social media bios onto salient dimensions of social meaning, such as partisanship, gender, and age in ways that correlate with human judgements in two new survey datasets, and 2) correlates well with other measures of user ideology .

We use our model to extend our understanding of the relationship between how active news-sharing accounts on Twitter self-present and the proportion of news they share coming from low-quality news sites, particularly with respect to interactions between age and partisanship, and with respect to religiosity .

Measuring text on social dimensions of meaning

Social psychologists have developed a host of survey-based methods to measure associations between social identities and dimensions of social meaning. This estimation of identities on such dimensions is a core focus of social psychologists (Schröder, Hoey, and Rogers 2016 ; Fiske et al. 2002 ) , because connecting self-presentation along specific dimensions of social relevance to social behavior is important for developing and testing new theories (MacKinnon and Heise 2010 ) . Below, we leverage these established approaches to evaluate our methodology. However, survey data do not scale to the myriad ways people identify themselves (MacKinnon and Heise 2010 ) , are usually too small to capture differences across subgroups or contexts (Smith-Lovin and Douglas 1992 ) , and struggle to account for linguistically complex identities or situations where multiple identities are applied (Joseph and Morgan 2021 ) .

Most of the computational tools developed to address these challenges function by projecting embeddings from distributional semantic models ( DSM ), such as BERT, onto particular dimensions of meaning. The present work is most aligned with efforts that use contextualized embeddings (e.g. Kurita et al. 2019 ; Lucy, Tadimeti, and Bamman 2022 ; Field, Bhat, and Tsvetkov 2019 ) to do so. However, we expand on these methods in that we aim to focus not on linguistic similarity , but rather similarity in the types of people who use particular identities . More specifically, DSMs are based on the assumption that contextual similarity—similarity in where phrases appear in text—is a strong proxy for semantic similarity (roughly, synonomy). The idea behind this assumption is that phrases with high semantic similarity should have similar cognitive associations to other phrases, and thus high contextual similarity too (Miller and Charles 1991 ) . While deeply intertwined (Caliskan and Lewis 2020 ) , these linguistic associations and the socio-cultural associations of interest to us differ. Linguistic associations represent phrases with similar associations to similar other phrases ; what we desire are phrases with similar associations to similar kinds of people . While methodologically consistent with prior work, then, our work extends the existing literature by defining a different socio-theoretic goal that is consistent with the existing literature on self-presentation. We also provide several new evaluation datasets for future work.

In focusing on sets of identities applied to individuals, our work also relates to entity-centric text analysis (Field and Tsvetkov 2019 ) . Entity-centric work focuses on using phrases with known meanings (e.g. from surveys) to understand the portrayal of individuals (Antoniak, Mimno, and Levy 2019 ; Mendelsohn, Tsvetkov, and Jurafsky 2020 ) . Our method builds on a complementary idea, namely that we can use the fact that all identities in a bio refer to a single entity (a user) to create better embeddings. Similar in this vein is the work of Bamman and Smith ( 2014 ) , who use this idea to infer character personas in literature. The present work compliments these efforts by using entity-centric data to produce embeddings, rather than phrase clusters.

Our work also ties to the literature that explores the language associated with how people express misinformation (Mu and Aletras 2020 ; Shu et al. 2017 ; Rashkin et al. 2017 ) . More specifically, we complement these efforts to study how people express specific instances of misinformation by exploring how people who tend to spread misinformation present themselves via particular (sets of) social identities.

The Demographics (and Self-presentations) of Misinformation Sharing

The study of misinformation online has exploded in recent years (Lazer et al. 2018 ) . Within this literature, several papers have looked at associations between demographics and rates of misinformation sharing. Typically, they do so by gathering demographics either via survey (e.g. Grinberg et al. 2019 ) or using voter records (Guess, Nagler, and Tucker 2019 ; Mosleh, Pennycook, and Rand 2020 ) , and then associating contained demographic information with rates of misinformation sharing. Across studies, however, prior work has repeatedly found that the best predictors of misinformation exposure and sharing online are 1) old age (Brashier and Schacter 2020 ) , 2) alignment with the political right (Osmundsen et al. 2021 ; Nikolov, Flammini, and Menczer 2021 ) , and 3) overall levels of online activity (Grinberg et al. 2019 ) .

Our work compliments these existing efforts in a number of ways. First, these prior works tend to use small-N samples of misinformation sharers because of the challenges and biases associated with their recruitment methods (Hughes et al. 2021 ) . For example, Grinberg et al. ( 2019 ) and Guess, Nagler, and Tucker ( 2019 ) , analyze sharing patterns in settings where only 400 Twitter users and 101 Facebook users shared any misinformation, respectively. In contrast, we analyze two different and much larger datasets; in the larger one, 77,190 accounts share at least one low-quality news link.

Second, we focus here on demographics conveyed through self-presentation . These self-presented demographics are important in their own right for understanding who other Twitter users perceive to be sharing misinformation, perceptions that do not always align with a user’s “true demographics” (Nguyen et al. 2014 ) . Critically, then, we do not claim that our method infers demographics of users, nor do we believe it does so. Indeed, these self-presentations may vary from demographics in at least two ways. First, individuals may consciously choose not to convey certain demographic information online, such as gender (Buss, Le, and Haimson 2022 ) , and more generally choose which dimensions of the self are most important to present to their Twitter audience (Marwick and boyd 2011 ) . Second, non-human accounts, such as those run by Russia’s Internet Research Agency (IRA), may fabricate self-presentations to shape online discussion (Zhang et al. 2021 ) . Prior studies that link users to surveys or voter records rule out these latter accounts in their sampling approach. In contrast, we aim to focus on which dimensions of social meaning are salient, or cast as salient, by those sharing misinformation unknowingly or for manipulation. We thus study here how the misinformation shares present their identity .

These two distinctions shape the two novel research questions we study here. First, the larger size of our dataset lets us explore interactions between self-presentations of age and partisanship, as compared to prior work which analyzes only the main effects. Second, our focus on dimensions of self-presentation instead of traditional demographics lets us analyze a novel, although well-theorized (Druckman et al. 2021 ) , empirical question: how is (self-presented) religiosity associated with misinformation sharing?

Methods for Embedding Twitter Bios

We propose three models that leverage existing methods to project phrases onto dimensions of social meaning in different ways. Our first model uses data only from bios, whereas the latter two use fine-tuning to balance between meanings in bios and semantic information in large, pre-trained DSMs. In all cases, our models are trained by using patterns in the multiple identities that appear in many social media bios. Because of this, it is useful to introduce some limited notation. First, let X 𝑋 X italic_X denote a dataset of bios where identities have been extracted, e.g. by using a regular expression (Yoder et al. 2020 ; Pathak, Madani, and Joseph 2021 ) . We assume X i = { x 1 i , x 2 i , … , x k i } superscript 𝑋 𝑖 subscript superscript 𝑥 𝑖 1 subscript superscript 𝑥 𝑖 2 … subscript superscript 𝑥 𝑖 𝑘 X^{i}=\{x^{i}_{1},x^{i}_{2},...,x^{i}_{k}\} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT = { italic_x start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , italic_x start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT 2 end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , … , italic_x start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_k end_POSTSUBSCRIPT } represents a set of k 𝑘 k italic_k identities extracted from a single bio, and that V 𝑉 V italic_V is a vocabulary of all unique identities in the training portion of X 𝑋 X italic_X .

Bio-only model

Our Bio-only model is constructed by applying word2vec (Mikolov et al. 2013 ) to X 𝑋 X italic_X . In common terminology for word2vec , we treat identities as words and bios as a context. Our intuition is that if the word2vec model can leverage contextual similarity on the “word-to-linguistic context” matrix to identify words with shared semantic meanings, it may also be useful to leverage the “identity-to-person context” matrix to identify phrases with shared socio-cultural meanings. We use word2vec models with an embedding size of 768 to match the embedding size of the other models used below, and train for 300 epochs with a window size of 8 (only .01% of bios in our training data contain more than 8 identities). Additional minor details are provided in the appendix.

Fine-tuned BERT

To fine-tune BERT, we use a masked language modeling (MLM) objective, randomly masking one of the identities in each bio. To prepare our dataset for training, we take each of the instances X i superscript 𝑋 𝑖 X^{i} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT and concatenate the phrases in it to form a full sentence. We then mask one of the identities and fine-tune a BERT-base model for 5 epochs while monitoring 10% of the training set as validation data. We used a learning rate of 2e-5 with a batch size of 64. Model training took approximately one day using a single A100 GPU. When bios are shorter than the context window size, padding is added; attention masking is used to ensure padding does not impact the embedding. We keep the embedding size of the BERT model at the default 768.

Fine-tuned SBERT

Finally, we construct a final model by fine-tuning Sentence-BERT (Reimers and Gurevych 2019 ) . Sentence-BERT uses contrastive learning , where the learning setup must be carefully constructed (Schroff, Kalenichenko, and Philbin 2015 ) . We develop an intuitive but effective approach here based on shared identities. In a contrastive learning framework, each data point is a triplet consisting of an anchor , a positive , and a negative sample. Our goal is to reshape the embedding space through fine-tuning such that for each triplet, the distance between anchor and positive samples, which co-occur within a bio in our setup, is minimized while the distance between anchor and negative samples, which do not, is maximized. As above, padding and attention masks are used when bios are shorter than the size of the context window. The embedding size of our selected sentence BERT model is 768 which matches the embedding size of all other proposed approaches for fair comparison.

We can frame this contrastive learning problem as a regression task: given a triplet of anchor ( X a subscript 𝑋 𝑎 X_{a} italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_a end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ), positive ( X p subscript 𝑋 𝑝 X_{p} italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_p end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) and negative ( X n subscript 𝑋 𝑛 X_{n} italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_n end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) samples and a similarity measure (here, cosine), our objective is for c ⁢ s ⁢ ( X a , X p ) = 1.0 𝑐 𝑠 subscript 𝑋 𝑎 subscript 𝑋 𝑝 1.0 cs(X_{a},X_{p})=1.0 italic_c italic_s ( italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_a end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_p end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) = 1.0 and c ⁢ s ⁢ ( X a , X n ) = 0.0 𝑐 𝑠 subscript 𝑋 𝑎 subscript 𝑋 𝑛 0.0 cs(X_{a},X_{n})=0.0 italic_c italic_s ( italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_a end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , italic_X start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_n end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) = 0.0 for all training points, where c ⁢ s 𝑐 𝑠 cs italic_c italic_s stands for cosine similarity. We can then optimize this objective using mean squared error. The challenge is to construct an effective set of triplets to train on. To do so, we first take a bio X i superscript 𝑋 𝑖 X^{i} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT from the training set, and then randomly select an identity from X i superscript 𝑋 𝑖 X^{i} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT to be the positive sample. We name the remaining identities in X i superscript 𝑋 𝑖 X^{i} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT the anchor sample. Finally, we randomly select an identity that never co-occurs with the positive sample as the negative sample. As an example, from the bio [assistant professor, Bernie supporter, #blacklivesmatter] we set assistant professor, #blacklivesmatter as the anchor sample, Bernie supporter as the positive sample, and randomly select a negative sample that never co-occurred with Bernie supporter . We construct a triplet for each X i ∈ X superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑋 X^{i}\in X italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT ∈ italic_X using this method, and use these to fine-tune an mpnet-base Sentence-Bert model. Models were trained for 5 epochs for one day on a single A100 GPU.

Training Data

All models are trained on a sample of 3,534,903 bios from users who sent an English-language tweet captured in the Twitter Decahose 3 3 3 A sample of approximately 10% of all tweets. in 2020. We use the method from Pathak, Madani, and Joseph ( 2021 ) to extract identities from bios. Their extraction method consists of two steps, one where bios are split into chunks using a manually crafted regular expression, and a second cleaning step. For example, from the Twitter bio “Progressive Christian, wife, I am a proud Canadian,” their method extracts Progressive Christian , wife and proud Canadian . Given that our models learn from patterns in shared identity, we use only bios that contain at least two identities for training, with | V | 𝑉 |V| | italic_V | =22,516. A complete description of the dataset is available in the appendix.

We conduct four evaluations to assess model validity. The first is a prediction task, where we evaluate the full embedding space of each model and its ability to capture information that shapes users’ decisions on which sets of identities to place in their bio. The second connects our work to the existing literature on embedding and projecting individual social identities onto dimensions of social meaning. The third assesses our ability to project entire bios onto meaningful dimensions, with an eye towards validating our approach for our case study. Finally, the fourth task shows that our measures of partisanship correlate with other existing measures, and that our methods are associated with the behavior of interest (misinformation sharing) in the same way. Here, we describe each task and results for it in four separate subsections.

Can we Predict Held-out Identities?

Task description.

To perform this evaluation, we randomly sample another 1.5M Twitter bios from the Decahose using the same approach as above, creating an 80/20 train/test split between the two samples. For each observation in the test set, we ensure that at least one of the identities is in V 𝑉 V italic_V (which is defined using the training data). For the i 𝑖 i italic_i th sample, we then take one identity, X t i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑡 X^{i}_{t} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_t end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , as the hold-out target and call the rest of the bio X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT . We ensure X t i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑡 X^{i}_{t} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_t end_POSTSUBSCRIPT is in V 𝑉 V italic_V , i.e. in all cases the target is observed at least once in the training data. This task notably favors the three new models we present here, in that they are each trained in a manner similar to the prediction task. However, the comparison is still useful to 1) ensure that fine-tuning works as expected and 2) to compare between the three new models. With respect to the latter point, there is reason to believe that the word2vec model should outperform the Fine-tuned BERT or fine-tuned SBERT model, because the word2vec model is trained only on in-domain data relevant to the task.

To generate predictions, we first generate an embedding for X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , L r i = e ⁢ m ⁢ b ⁢ e ⁢ d ⁢ d ⁢ i ⁢ n ⁢ g ⁢ ( X r i ) subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 𝑒 𝑚 𝑏 𝑒 𝑑 𝑑 𝑖 𝑛 𝑔 subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 L^{i}_{r}=embedding(X^{i}_{r}) italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT = italic_e italic_m italic_b italic_e italic_d italic_d italic_i italic_n italic_g ( italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) 4 4 4 Extended details on how embeddings are generated for each model are in the Appendix. . We then measure the cosine similarity of L r i subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 L^{i}_{r} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT with the embedding of all identities v ∈ V 𝑣 𝑉 v\in V italic_v ∈ italic_V , S ⁢ i ⁢ m ⁢ i ⁢ l ⁢ a ⁢ r ⁢ i ⁢ t ⁢ y ⁢ ( L r i , L v i ) 𝑆 𝑖 𝑚 𝑖 𝑙 𝑎 𝑟 𝑖 𝑡 𝑦 subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑣 Similarity(L^{i}_{r},L^{i}_{v}) italic_S italic_i italic_m italic_i italic_l italic_a italic_r italic_i italic_t italic_y ( italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_v end_POSTSUBSCRIPT ) , leaving us with | V | 𝑉 |V| | italic_V | similarity scores to L r i subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 L^{i}_{r} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT .We evaluate similarity scores returned by each model using two evaluation metrics: average rank and log softmax score . Average rank is computed by, for each test point, finding the ranking of X t i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑡 X^{i}_{t} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_t end_POSTSUBSCRIPT in the scores produced by each model, and taking the average over all test points. The log softmax score draws on prior work (Joseph and Morgan 2021 ) and transforms similarity scores into a probability distribution using the softmax, and then takes the log of the result for X t i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑡 X^{i}_{t} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_t end_POSTSUBSCRIPT .

Finally, for evaluating the out-of-domain generalizability of our models, i.e. how well the model generalizes to unseen identities, we split our test data into two sets, a Main Evaluation set, where X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT also contains at least one identity observed in the training data, and a Generalizability set, in which no identities in X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT are seen in the training data. This is necessary to fairly evaluate our Bio-only model , which has a restricted vocabulary and does not generalize to out-of-domain phrases, to the other models, each of which are capable of handling out-of-domain text. 5 5 5 Note that X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT can still contain phrases that the Bio-only model does not recognize and replaces them with the 0-vector. It is also a useful test of the (in-domain) generalizability of the other models. We evaluate results separately for these two test datasets.

We compare our models to three baseline DSMs used frequently in prior work: BERT (Devlin et al. 2019 ) , RoBERTa (Liu et al. 2019 ) , and Sentence-BERT (Reimers and Gurevych 2019 ) (see appendix for details) . As in much of the prior work (Lucy, Tadimeti, and Bamman 2022 ) , these approaches are not fine-tuned on bios, giving a baseline for how important in-domain training is for our problem.

In contrast to our expectations, the Fine-tuned SBERT model consistently outperforms all other models on both evaluation metrics on the Main Test set. Figure  1 shows this, and also reveals that the next best model, in all cases, was the Bio-only model , and that the Fine-tuned BERT model does not show the same jump in performance relative to the baseline BERT model that the Fine-tuned SBERT model does. Finally, we see that the baseline SBERT model outperforms the baseline BERT model.

The fact that the fine-tuned SBERT model improves over the Bio-only model, but the Fine-tuned BERT model does not, is evidence that knowledge from the pre-trained SBERT model (but not BERT) is useful in our setting. It also shows that performance gains cannot only be attributed to fine-tuning on in-domain language, but instead that our contrastive learning setup was effective and that Sentence-BERT is indeed the more effective initial model for fine-tuning, at least on this evaluation task. The second column of Figure  1 shows that the Fine-tuned SBERT model also performs best on the Generalizability test set. Even when the Fine-tuned model is not exposed to any of the identities in X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT , it improves by nearly 100% over the standard SBERT model in terms of average rank. Figure  1 also makes clear that there is room for improvement. To this end, we conduct an error analysis ; see the appendix for details.

Do Projections of Single Identities Correlate with Human Judgements?

Following prior work (Joseph and Morgan 2020 ) , we assess how well our embeddings can be used to project identities onto dimensions of social meaning in ways that correlate with human judgements. As no prior work focuses on identities that are common in bios, however, we construct a novel survey dataset for this task. We provide brief details on the study here, full details can be found in the Appendix.

We asked 140 respondents on Prolific to rate 250 common identities in Twitter bios on three widely studied dimensions: gender, age, and partisanship. We use the mean of ratings for each identity on each dimension in our analysis. To select identities, we ranked identities in the Twitter dataset by frequency, and then manually selected the first 250 phrases that clearly signaled identity. For each identity on each dimension, respondents were asked to move a slider to represent their perception of where people who label themselves as that identity were likely to fall. For partisanship, for example, the slider ranged from “Always [a] Democrat” to “Always [a] Republican.” Figure  2 provides an example question. For gender and age, we followed the approach outlined by Joseph and Morgan ( 2020 ) exactly, using the same slider. Specifically, for age, participants were asked to rate identities on perceived age from 0-100, for gender, the question appears as in Figure  2 , replacing “Republican” with “Man” and “Democrat” with “Woman.”

To construct projections for each embedding model, for each identity, onto these dimensions, we follow the literature and 1) embed identities as defined above, 2) define a set of words and phrases that denotatively characterize each “end” of the dimension (e.g. “man” vs. “woman” for gender) and then 3) use these to project each identity onto a line in the embedding space defined by those two dimension ends, giving a single number. Several approaches exist to complete steps 2) and 3) ( Joseph and Morgan 2020 ) . We follow prior work where possible for 2), and for 3), i.e. to calculate similarity, we use RIPA, the method described by Ethayarajh, Duvenaud, and Hirst ( 2019 ) . Finally, for each embedding model on each dimension, we then compute the Spearman correlation between the projections and the survey data.

Figure  3 shows that our three models all perform at least as well—but not better than—the baselines for projections onto age, all significantly improve over baselines in measuring perceived partisanship, and significantly improve over the baselines, except for Fine-tuned BERT, on perceived gender. Our models’ improvements over baselines are particularly salient in comparison to the RoBERTa and BERT baselines. Notably, we also see that our Bio-only model, based on word2vec performs well compared to the more complex models on this task. This suggests that for phrases that are prominent in bios, this model (which trains only on the bios themselves) may be preferred. However, the Bio-only model cannot extend beyond the vocabulary, and thus (as we will see) struggles with generalizability. Finally, Figure  3 also shows that the greatest jumps in performance for our models, relative to the baseline, are clearly on the partisan dimension.

Do Projections of Entire Bios Correlate with Human Judgements?

Our third evaluation assess the question, can our model capture perceptions of self-presentation in entire bios? To address this, we conduct a similar analysis as above, comparing the Spearman correlation of projections of our embedding models to mean ratings by Prolific respondents on a survey task. There are, however, four primary differences between the evaluation of single identities and the one presented here for full bios.

First, of course, is that we ask respondents for their perceptions of entire bios, rather than individual identities within bios. More specifically, we randomly sample 1,300 bios of users in our case study data, described below. Second, because in our case study we are interested in religiosity as well as age, gender, and partisanship, we add a question regarding perceived level of religiosity to the survey. Third, as opposed to selecting only one approach for defining ends of the semantic axis onto which embeddings are projected, we consider two approaches. The first follows our second evaluation and uses a combination of prior work and author intuition to define the terms at each end of the axis. Motivated to ensure accurate measurements for our case study, the second considers whether or not we can improve correlations with human judgement by constructing lists of terms for dimension endpoints that are informed by a qualitative analysis of bios. More specifically, we manually explore bios from the case study data described below that are not included in the survey study and use them to define the list of terms. We compare performance using both approaches here, but ensure that we compute results only on bios that do not include terms that explicitly define our endpoints . Fourth, we opt to only compare performance of SBERT and Fine-tuned SBERT, as other models fared poorly on one or both of the prior evaluations.

All other details of our evaluation generally match those in our second evaluation, save for the sample of Prolific users; see the appendix for details on this.

Figure  4 shows that the Fine-tuned SBERT model has a significantly higher correlation with human judgements on dimensions of partisanship and religion, regardless of how endpoints of the dimensions are defined. For gender and age, Fine-tuned SBERT performance shows no significant improvement over a non-fine-tuned SBERT model, but is also not significantly impacted by how dimension endpoints are defined. In contrast, for the SBERT model, in one case (age) our use of qualitative exploration to find in-domain sets of phrases to define dimensions significantly increases correlations with human judgement, and in the other (gender) it significantly decreases correlations. These results suggest that the Fine-tuned SBERT model is therefore more robust to the known challenge of defining “good” sets of phrases to define endpoints (Joseph and Morgan 2020 ) .

How do our Projections Compare to Other Measures at the User Level?

In our final evaluation, we focus specifically on projections of bios onto partisanship and explore 1) how well these projections correlate with a different measure of user partisanship (evaluating convergent validity), and 2) whether or not our measure of partisanship correlates in expected ways—and in a similar way to the other measure of user partisanship— with misinformation sharing (evaluating hypothesis validity Jacobs and Wallach 2021 ) . To conduct these evaluations, we make use of a pre-existing dataset of 374,684 Twitter users 1) for whom prior work (McCabe et al. 2022 ) has computed a standard measure of user ideology using user follower networks, and 2) for whom we have data on the sharing of low-quality news sites.

With respect to the partisanship measure we compare to, McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) apply a method pioneered by Barberá et al. ( 2015 ) that uses a combination of information about the partisanship of elite Twitter users and follower relationships to compute an estimate of user partisan ideology. McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) adopt the same approach, but update information about elites from the 2012 data used by Barberá et al. ( 2015 ) to 2020 data, and apply the approach to a large set of Twitter users that they linked to voter registration records using established methods (Hughes et al. 2021 ) . The work from McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) presents full details on implementation and an extensive validation of the measure in comparison to voter registration data; we therefore refer the reader to their work these details and focus here only on a comparison between their updated version of Barberá et al. ’s 2015 method and our partisanship measure using bio data.

With respect to the sharing of low-quality news, we focus on the proportion of URLs to low- and high-quality news websites shared on Twitter by these users from July 1st, 2020 through May 31st, 2021. We determine whether a URL comes from a low- or high-quality news website by making use of 1) the list produced by Grinberg et al. ( 2019 ) (who categorize sites into a binary high or low-quality distinction) and 2) the NewsGuard domain rating list. NewsGuard is an organization that maintains a widely-used (e.g Altay, Nielsen, and Fletcher 2022 ; Horne, Nørregaard, and Adalı 2019 ) list of news websites that are rated on a scale of 0-100 for information quality. We follow prior work and dichotomize their ratings into a binary low- or high-quality value for each site. We use a score of 60 as the threshold, following prior work (Lin et al. 2022 ) . Further, while we opt for a particular definition across these two lists, we note that prior work (Lin et al. 2022 ) has shown that various lists of misinformation domains are highly correlated, and thus that results for the study of misinformation are unlikely to be sensitive to these types of changes. Using these binary domain scores, we define our outcome variable for an individual user as the percentage of all URLs the user shares that come from a low-quality news site, divided by the total number of URLs shared from a domain listed in NewsGuard. We refer to this outcome as the proportion of low-quality shares .

Finally, for our bio-based measure, we use user bios collected in July of 2020 (i.e. within the same timeframe of the following data and misinformation sharing data), and project bios onto partisanship using the methods detailed in our evaluation of full bio embeddings (our third evaluation).

We find a correlation of 0.39 [0.387,0.393] between the bio-based projection measure of partisanship using our fine-tuned SBERT model and the partisanship estimates from McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) . This correlation is nearly double the correlation we find between the bio-based projection measure computed using the non-fine-tuned SBERT model and the estimates from McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) (0.197 [0.193,0.201]), and even higher than the correlation between the fine-tuned SBERT model and the non-fine-tuned model (0.347 [0.343,0.35]). This strong correlation, even when compared to reasonable baselines, gives us further confidence in the convergent validity of our measure—while we should not expect a measure based on a more private behavior (following) to correlate exactly with one based on a more public behavior (text in bios), we do see, as expected, a reasonably strong relationship.

We also find that these two measures show consistent estimates of the relationship between partisanship and misinformation sharing. These estimates, moreover, conform with what we would expect from prior work (Grinberg et al. 2019 ; Guess, Nagler, and Tucker 2019 ) . More specifically, Figure  5 shows the estimated proportion of low-quality shares from a binomial regression model where the independent variables are indicators for partisanship after bucketing each variable into 10 separate bins of equal numbers of users, respectively. 6 6 6 Binning is done to avoid assumptions about the precision of these proxy variables and to ease interpretation; bin sizes selected here are for visual clarity. Results are not, however, sensitive to this decision. All main effects in the model used to estimate the proportions shown in Figure  5 are significant at p ≤ .001 𝑝 .001 p\leq.001 italic_p ≤ .001 , and trends between the two different measures are consistent in showing that those furthest to the partisan right are most likely to share low quality news.

Misinformation Case Study

The previous evaluations show that our Fine-tuned SBERT model can project bios onto social dimensions of meaning in ways that correlate with how those bios are likely to be perceived by humans , and that the approach has both convergent validity and hypothesis validity in comparison to a different measure of user partisanship. Our case study uses the same dataset, but leverages our methodology to explore the link between self-presentation in bios and the rate of low- versus high-quality news sharing in the context of our two research questions. First, we explore the interaction between self-presentations of age and partisanship and their association with low-quality new sharing. Second, we consider the association between self-presenting as religious and misinformation sharing.

We note that while it would be possible for McCabe et al. ( 2022 ) to make use of additional voter registration data to, e.g., control for age, our tool is still useful for two reasons. First, most existing social media datasets are not connected to voter registration data, nor are the aligned with follower network data that could be used to apply the method from Barberá et al. ( 2015 ) . To this end, we are able to use our methods to replicate our analysis on a new dataset from the Twitter Decahose, which we could not do otherwise (see appendix for details). Second, we note that an analysis of religiosity is in any case not possible with existing voter registration data, as religiosity does not exist within versions of these data that have been provided to researchers in the past.

With respect to our first research question on the interaction between age and partisan self-presentation, we find that the direction of effects for age and partisanship generally match prior work, but that interaction effects not observed in prior work on demographics appear in our analyses. Figure  6 more specifically shows that users who self-present as older and right leaning is associated with a superlinear increase in proportion of low-quality news shared relative to being old or right-leaning.

Addressing our second research question, and using the same binning approach with univariate statistical models, we observe in Figure  6 B) that self-presenting as being highly religious is also associated with statistically significant ( p < .001 𝑝 .001 p<.001 italic_p < .001 ) jumps in the proportion of low-quality shares. As in the real world (Druckman et al. 2021 ) , our measures of religiosity and partisanship are highly correlated (at 0.76) , and thus we do not attempt to tease out whether this effect is particularly salient conditioned on partisanship. More specifically, we avoid interpretation of coefficients in a model with both of these variables because interpretation of regression coefficients with strongly co-linear variables is prone to misidentification of effect size and statistical significance (Gregorich et al. 2021 ) .

We do find, however, that religiosity adds additional predictive power, in that adding religiosity as a predictor to a model with partisanship results in a statistically significant increase ( p < .001 𝑝 .001 p<.001 italic_p < .001 ) in predictive power. Descriptive statistics do, however, provide some evidence into a potential interactive relationship between partisanship, religiosity, and sharing content from low-quality sites. Specifically, Figure  9 in the appendix shows that partisanship and religiosity may have a multiplicative association with sharing content from low-quality news sites. Participants who present as both right-leaning and religious have, on average, higher odds of sharing low-quality news links than users who present as only right-leaning or only religious. Future experimental work targeting this specific interaction effect in ways that avoid endogeneity concerns might therefore be of interest.

Critically, all findings presented here extend beyond this particular dataset to a second large dataset of misinformation sharing drawn from a broader population in the Twitter Decahose. These replication results are presented in the appendix.

Discussion and Conclusion

We present, evaluate, make public, and make use of new methods to project Twitter bios onto meaningful social dimensions. Methodologically, our contribution is not innovation in algorithm development, but in the application of standard algorithms to carefully constructed training datasets and training set-ups to build entity-centric identity embedding spaces (where identities that are commonly presented for the same people are represented in a similar space). Notably, our estimates of self-presentation do not use other user behaviors (e.g. retweets).

After extensively validating our proposed methods, we present a case study on two open questions in the literature on misinformation sharing online. In response to our first question, we find an interaction effect between age and partisanship- that Twitter users presentinand Republican share a much higher proportion of low-quality news. With respect to our second research question, we similarly find that individuals who self-present as religious, perhaps especially on the political right, are much more likely to share a higher proportion of low-quality news. Our results have two important implications. With respect to combating misinformation online, while much work has considered interventions targeted along partisan (Martel et al. 2024 ) or age-based (Brashier and Schacter 2020 ) , our results provide evidence that we should be considering even more narrow interventions targeted at older and right-leaning Americans. With respect to better understanding the misinformation environment online in the U.S., our work provides critical empirical validation of theories that suggest religiosity is an important component of the quality of information consumed and spread online (Druckman et al. 2021 ) .

However, our work contains a number of limitations that should be considered. Specific to our case study, we follow previous work that uses a domain-based approach to identify misinformation sharing (Grinberg et al. 2019 ; Guess, Nagler, and Tucker 2019 ; Moore, Dahlke, and Hancock 2023 ) , which includes posts that share a URL with a negative annotation. However, like previous work, we find the number of such posts to be a small proportion of all shares. While other work referenced above suggests our efforts should extend to other social media sites, Twitter, like all sites, has particular elements that limit our ability to generalize claims about self-presentation elsewhere, in particular to “offline” behavior settings (DeVito, Walker, and Birnholtz 2018 ) . In particular, our models learn cultural associations from the majority white, male, younger, and left-leaning users of Twitter (Hughes et al. 2021 ) . Similarly, our survey evaluation data is largely drawn from white, American women, which limits their generalizability.

Our work is also contextualized in a particular period of time, and thus may not be responsive to significant shifts in social identity. All of these, and results described in the paper, emphasize the contextualized nature of our trained models and datasets. While we hope that future work might expand beyond them, others should consider using our publicly available code to fine-tune our models on their own data. Finally, our case study is necessarily terse, and does not explore a number of additional important and interesting questions. In particular, there may be other interesting dimensions of self-presentation that may be interesting to social scientists interested in misinformation sharing on social media. Our work also has ethical implications, which we discuss in more detail in the Ethics Statement below, as well as in the required paper checklist. Our hope, however, is that the proposed, and public, methods allow future efforts that explore new questions that link identity and behavior on Twitter and other sites with social media bios.

Acknowledgements

NM and KJ were supported by an ONR MURI N00014-20-S-F003 and by NSF IIS2145051. SM was supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation through a grant to the Institute for Data, Democracy, & Politics at the George Washington University.

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Paper Checklist

One can crudely separate the way that members of the NLP community acknowledge sociocultural associations embedded in language into three camps. In the first, acknowledgement is largely non-existent, with scholars either choosing to ignore the social implications of language or arguing that it is not within their purview to address them. In the second, scholars concerned with the potential that NLP tools might reify biases in language have sought to develop tools to reduce or remove the use of biased tools in production. Example efforts include the literature on “debiasing” embedding spaces—where scholars aim to remove meaning on “unwanted dimensions” (i.e. on social dimensions of meaning) and keep it only on “objective” dimensions (i.e. on more traditional semantic dimensions)— and work to carefully elaborate how problems can arise from NLP tools that do not critically engage with the social implications of language (Blodgett et al. 2020 ; Field et al. 2021 ) .

While we strongly support the latter line of critical scholarship, we fall into a third camp of NLP researchers, who see the potential for NLP methods that capture social meaning in language to help inform our understanding of society and its behaviors (Kozlowski, Taddy, and Evans 2019 ; Bailey, Williams, and Cimpian 2022 ; Garg et al. 2018 ) . As individuals who are supportive of existent critical literature, and who are still building methods that are inherently engaging in stereotyping, we must accept that our methods can be used not only to measure perceptions and self-presentations but also to apply them for nefarious purposes, such as racially-biased targeted advertising (Ali et al. 2019 ) . The ultimate ethical question that we must address, then, is whether we believe that our measurement strategies will ultimately do more harm than good.

Our decision to submit the present work for consideration reflects our belief, after deliberation, that the potential benefits of our work outweigh the potential dangers. From a benefits perspective, we show that our work can help us understand the (mis)information environment on Twitter, and hope in the future to use these methods to better understand 1) how hegemonic voices are often given outsized attention on social media platforms, and 2) how attacks on marginalized communities changed along with the political climate in the United States. From a misuse perspective, we do not believe that the methods we have developed here are more effective at targeting individuals based on stereotyped demographics than the tools already in existence elsewhere, tools which use orders of magnitude more compute data and power. As such, while there are real dangers with being misclassified in a particular way online, we 1) emphasize throughout the paper that we focus only on how someone is likely to be perceived based on what is in their bio, and do not claim to be able to classify some “true self” of users, and 2) expect that if one wanted to engage in such a prediction activity, it could be done better with methods that focus specifically on this task.

A similar value judgement was applied to the other ethical question in our work: whether or not to publicly release parts of our data. Ultimately, restrictions on the Decahose have made it challenging to share data. However, given recent literature in the ICWSM community (Assenmacher et al. 2020 ) , we believe the appropriate course of action is to release training data on a per-case basis, as potential dataset users contact the last author of this paper. However, we believe that the release of our (fully deidentified) survey data and basic case study data does not serve any inherent risks for users in our dataset, and thus have opted to do so in the Github repository for this work. We believe that the utility of these data to the scientific community, both for replicability and extension, outweigh the dangers of data release. Of course, in all cases, data and methods usage is a continually evolving process, and we will re-evaluate this value judgement as often as is needed.

For most authors…

Would answering this research question advance science without violating social contracts, such as violating privacy norms, perpetuating unfair profiling, exacerbating the socio-economic divide, or implying disrespect to societies or cultures? As noted above, there are privacy concerns in our work that we have carefully considered and weighed relative to the benefits of our work.

Do your main claims in the abstract and introduction accurately reflect the paper’s contributions and scope? Yes

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Did you include the code, data, and instructions needed to reproduce the main experimental results (either in the supplemental material or as a URL)? See the Github link in the first footnote

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Appendix A Appendix

Bios from the twitter decahose.

The center column of Table 1 provides summary statistics for the Twitter bio data we construct. We begin with a sample of 15,459,872 distinct Twitter bios from users who posted a tweet in 2020 that was found in the Decahose, and who are specified as English-language users by the Twitter API. In order to maintain a focus on culturally-salient identities, we limit the size of the vocabulary to identities used in at least 100 unique Twitter bios in the training set. Further, because we are interested in associations between identities, we further remove Twitter bios that contain less than 2 identities. After these cleaning steps, our training and test data consists of 3,534,903 and 1,546,001 distinct bios respectively with 22,516 unique identities in the vocabulary. We then follow the approach outlined in the main text to produce the main test dataset and the generalizability test set. Note that the size of each of these splits can be larger than the size of cleaned test dataset, because we can generate multiple instances from a given bio by randomly selecting different targets; i.e. we can generate multiple test instances out of each of profile description by selecting multiple pairs of X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT and X t i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑡 X^{i}_{t} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_t end_POSTSUBSCRIPT .

Finally, to provide further insight into the data, Table 2 showcases the top 7 identities in terms of overall frequency in the training data and 7 of the least frequent identities to show that the tail still contains meaningful phrases.

Single Identity Survey Data

A complete, aggregated copy of this data is provided in the Github for this paper. Our survey study was ruled exempt by the IRB at [REMOVED]. Each respondent rated between four and seven identities, and each identity was given to at least 3 respondents. Respondents were paid an average of $12/hour. Respondents are from a convenience sample, as recent work has suggested that the cost efficiency of convenience samples does not necessarily impact data quality (Coppock, Leeper, and Mullinix 2018 ) . The median age of our sample is 32. Of the 140 respondents, 88 reported their sex as female, 49 as male, and 4 noted other/did not provide. Our sample, like Twitter, was overwhelmingly White; 105 (75%) of the sample reported as White.

We here provide two minor additional details on our survey data. First, it is of note that in contrast to prior work, we focus explicitly on priming respondents to think of social media users, asking, for example, “If you saw [identity] in a social media biography, would you expect that individual to be” and then provided a Likert scale ranging from (e.g.) “Always [a] Democrat” to “Always [a] Republican.” Second, we emphasize that other procedures, including tutorial materials, task details, and attention checks, follow the publicly available materials from Joseph and Morgan ( 2020 ) .

Entire Bio Survey Data

A complete, aggregated copy of this data is provided in the Github for this paper.

We use responses from approximately 730 Prolific respondents. Because of a temporary issue with the survey, some respondents were approved for pay without taking the study, we report demographics here on all respondents here because of this issue. The median age of respondents was 37. Reported sex was more balanced than the sample for the single identity study, 51% and 44% of respondents reported a sex of female or male, respectively. As above, however, a majority of the sample (65%) reported as White. Respondents were paid an average of $12/hour. Full details are provided in the Appendix for the interested reader.

Two final notes are in order. First, with respect to the difference between the two surveys is that because we focus on individual user bios, we in this study ask respondents to assess the likelihood that the individual user who has this bio is, e.g., a Democrat or Republican, rather than asking (as above) about the probability that an individual who holds a given identity is, e.g., a Democrat or Republican. Second, we note that we drop the 5% of respondents whose responses were furthest from all other respondents, on average, across all identities and dimensions (after standardizing measures across dimensions). This results in a final sample of 1,273 bios analyzed here and provided in the Github repository.

Replication with Data from the Decahose

We replicate findings using the case study dataset analyzed in the main text with a different dataset, broader in scope, drawn from the Decahose. A complete, anonymized copy of this replication data is provided in the Github for this paper. For each user, it contains the number of URLs they shared that link to low- and high-quality domains, as identified by NewsGuard, and projections of their bios onto the four dimensions of interest to the case study.

We begin with a sample of roughly 290,000 users who tweeted at least one NewsGuard URL in the decahose in 2020. Of this sample, 143,883 users were 1) still active when we recollected tweets in 2022, and 2) had a non-empty English-language bio. It is possible that our use of langdetect could bias our sampling of what is considered English language (Blodgett, Green, and O’Connor 2016 ) ; as such, we manually evaluate it. To do so, we had three research assistants label 900 bios as English, not English, or Vague. The annotators had a Krippendorf’s alpha agreement score of 0.81 and agreed on 90% of the bios with the library. More specific to our case study, 93% of the bios that langdetect measured as English were also annotated as English by all the annotator. The main reason for mis-classification of the bio’s language was that some bios consisted of phrases from multiple languages. We therefore believe that this step did not bias our results in any obvious way.

Of these remaining 143,883 users who matched our initial sampling criteria, a remaining 108,554, or 75.4%, had at least 5 shares of URLs in NewsGuard, which we considered a minimum for estimating proportions. The median user had 49 shares of high quality news website URLs and 3 shares of low quality news website URLs. In total, these users shared 11,735,521 links to NewsGuard domains we assess in our study.

Figure  7 replicates findings from Figure  6 A) in the main text, namely, observe a similar increase in the association between self-presented (older) age and misinformation sharing as we see an increase in right-leaning self-presentation. Figure  8 replicates Figure  6 B).

Descriptive Statistics Partisanship and Religiosity

Figure  9 shows a descriptive statistic that provides some evidence that religiosity and partisanship have an interactive effect on misinformation sharing. However, as noted in the main text, correlations between these variables make it challenging to assess the statistical significance of these variables relative to each other; in particular, there are few left-leaning accounts that also present as religious.

Distributional Semantic Models (Baselines)

For all DSM baseline models except Sentence Bert, including BERT-base, RoBERTa-base and BerTweet-base we experimented using open-source implementations on Hugging Face transformers library 7 7 7 https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/ . For the Sentence-Bert baseline, we used the mpnet-base pre-trained model and the implementation given by open-source Sentence Transformers library. 8 8 8 https://github.com/UKPLab/sentence-transformers

Bio-only Model

To select hyperparameters, we use 10% of the training data as a validation dataset. The primary hyperparameter we tuned was whether to use a Skip-Gram or C-BOW model. We ultimately chose a Skip-Gram model for Twitter and a C-BOW model for Wikipedia, with the other hyperparameters as specified in the main text. Model training took under an hour on a personal laptop. We used the open-source implementation of word2vec in gensim 9 9 9 https://radimrehurek.com/gensim/ for our experiments.

We here briefly provide additional intuition for our Fine-tuned SBERT model. Given a dataset of pairs of identity phrases with a label denoting the anchor-positive pair or anchor-negative pairs, we input the pair into the pipeline shown in Figure 10 and extract the latent embeddings of each of the identities. Then we calculate the cosine similarity of the embeddings and backpropagate the mean squared error loss with the label through the network. In this work we fine-tuned a mpnet-base Sentence Bert model since it had the same model size as a BERT-base and the pre-trained model was available online.

Further details on Baseline Models

For all DSM baseline models except Sentence Bert, including BERT-base, RoBERTa-base and BerTweet-base we experimented using open-source implementations on Hugging Face transformers library 10 10 10 https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/ . For the Sentence-Bert baseline, we used the mpnet-base pre-trained model and the implementation given by open-source Sentence Transformers library. 11 11 11 https://github.com/UKPLab/sentence-transformers .

Other Baseline Models Considered

In addition to the three baseline models discussed in the text, we also experimented with a pair of other sensible options.

First, we expected that a DSM pretrained on Twitter would be a strong baseline to compare to, and thus experimented with additional models pre-trained specifically on Twitter data (Nguyen, Vu, and Tuan Nguyen 2020 ) . We use the fine-tuned BERT model on Twitter data proposed by (Nguyen, Vu, and Tuan Nguyen 2020 ) . They propose a BERT-base model fine-tuned using a corpus of 850M English Tweets. However, we find that model performance was no better than the other, more widely used baseline DSMs we proposed in the main experiments.

Second, it seemed reasonable that by first restricting a baseline DSM to known dimensions of social meaning, we could improve their performance. Consequently, we considered baselines where we first projected down all baseline models into the core dimensions of meaning noted by Joseph and Morgan ( 2020 ) before the evaluation tasks. In both cases, however, our intuitions did not match empirical reality. These models failed to outperform the baselines used in the main text, and thus we restrict our analysis to the baselines discussed in the main text.

Generating Embeddings for the Predictive Experiment

In order to build inputs to the network, since X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT is a list of personal identifiers, to calculate the latent embedding L r i subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 L^{i}_{r} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT for it, depending on the model, we follow different procedures. For the Bio-only model, we simply measure the average latent vector of all phrases in X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT according to ( 1 ). For the Fine-tuned models, as well as the baseline contextualized language models discussed below, we stitch the words in X r i subscript superscript 𝑋 𝑖 𝑟 X^{i}_{r} italic_X start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT together with comma and create a sentence S r i subscript superscript 𝑆 𝑖 𝑟 S^{i}_{r} italic_S start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT . We then measure L r i subscript superscript 𝐿 𝑖 𝑟 L^{i}_{r} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_r end_POSTSUBSCRIPT according to Equation ( 2 ). Equivalently, this means that for the BERT based models we take the embedding of [CLS] token for pooling and for the Sentence Bert based models we follow the original work and take the average of all token embeddings.

Projection to Social Dimensions

In order to project a piece of text (either a full bio or a single identity) onto a specific dimension, we have to first define the end-points of that dimension. Table 3 and 4 outline the original and in-domain dimension end-points that we talk about in this paper, in particular in our Entire bio projection evaluation. To generate embeddings for an end-point, we assume each end-point is an instance in X 𝑋 X italic_X and follow the approach outlined above to generate embeddings for each end-point of the dimension d 𝑑 d italic_d and call them E d 1 superscript subscript 𝐸 𝑑 1 E_{d}^{1} italic_E start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_d end_POSTSUBSCRIPT start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT 1 end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT and E d 2 superscript subscript 𝐸 𝑑 2 E_{d}^{2} italic_E start_POSTSUBSCRIPT italic_d end_POSTSUBSCRIPT start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT 2 end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT respectively. Having the embedding of both poles of the dimension, we calculate the difference vector according to Equation 3 , and calculate the embedding of the target text using the same approach to a vector L i superscript 𝐿 𝑖 L^{i} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT . Then we follow the projection approach outlined in (Ethayarajh, Duvenaud, and Hirst 2019 ) to normalize all vectors and then calculate the projection value of L i superscript 𝐿 𝑖 L^{i} italic_L start_POSTSUPERSCRIPT italic_i end_POSTSUPERSCRIPT onto dimension d 𝑑 d italic_d according to equation 4 .

Error Analysis of The Predictive Task

Our understanding of the proposed models is improved by studying where errors occur. Here, we briefly present both quantitative and qualitative reflections on the major sources of error for the Bio-Only and Fine-tuned SBERT models. At a high level, we find that pre-training helps the Fine-tuned SBERT model on predictions requiring knowledge of phrase composition (e.g. that “mother” and “mother of two” convey similar meanings), but appear to cause it to struggle on infrequent identities, which the Bio-only model is better able to capture meanings of from the bio data alone.

Quantitatively, Figure  11 shows that both models performed best, and roughly equally well, on the most frequent identities, but that differences appeared in how the models fared elsewhere. The Bio-only model’s ranking distribution (the marginal density plot on the right-hand side of Figure  11 ) was bimodal, with a large number of high (poor performance) and low (strong performance) ranks for test points. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we find qualitatively that the poor performance of the Bio-only model relative to the Fine-tuned SBERT model largely came from an inability 1) to learn from compositional identities or 2) to leverage relevant external knowledge. These issues seemed to impact the model most for moderately frequent target identities, those appearing between 300-10,000 times in the training data. With respect to 1), for example, when provided the Twitter bio “mother of two, restaurant owner, partly retired, hockey coach” 12 12 12 This bio has been modified to protect user privacy , the Bio-only model ranks the correct held-out identity, “wife,” among the least likely. In contrast, the Fine-tuned SBERT model correctly ranks “wife” in the Top 1%. The core difference is that the Fine-tuned SBERT model, but not the Bio-only model, leverages the gender stereotype implied by the “mother” portion of the phrase “mother of two.” With respect to 2), there were several cases where external knowledge from the pre-trained model benefited the Fine-tuned models. For example, the Fine-tuned models, but not the Bio-only models, were able to recognize the similarity between the identities “follower of ISKSON” (a Hindu religious organization) and “proud Hindu.” Both of these were relatively infrequently used.

In contrast, relative to the Bio-only model, Fine-tuned models struggled with the most infrequent identities, in particular the roughly 18% of identifiers in the test set that occurred fewer than 300 times in the training data. In these cases, as in prior work entity-centric domain adaptive work (Field and Tsvetkov 2019 ) , the Fine-tuned models seemed to rely too heavily on knowledge from the pre-trained model and not enough to domain-relevant context. In contrast, the identity-centric model seemed to benefit on the prediction task from overfitting to stereotypical knowledge for these rarer phrases. The Fine-tuned models also struggled when presented with identities, such as Twitter-specific acronyms, that were likely rare in the DSM data, but more frequent on Twitter. Here, pre-training seemed to induce noise, leading the Fine-tuned models to predict somewhat randomly.

• Open access
• Published: 30 August 2024

Appearance-related cyberbullying and its association with the desire to alter physical appearance among adolescent females

• Taliah Prince 1 ,
• Kate E. Mulgrew 2 ,
• Christina Driver 1 ,
• Lia Mills 1 ,
• Jehan Loza 3 &
• Daniel F. Hermens 1  

Journal of Eating Disorders volume  12 , Article number:  125 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Cyberbullying is associated with various mental health concerns in adolescents, including body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviours. However, there is a significant research gap concerning the unique effects of appearance-related cyberbullying (ARC) on adolescent mental health. This study examined the prevalence and psychological consequences of ARC among middle to late adolescent females (aged 14–19 years, M age  = 15.98, N  = 336). Participants completed an online survey regarding their experiences of ARC, body image variables, and eating disorder symptomology. Findings indicate the widespread occurrence of ARC among adolescent females, with body shape and size emerging as predominant targets. Experiences of ARC-victimisation positively correlated with increased concerns about body shape, body shame, and eating disorder symptomology. Conversely, experiences of ARC-victimisation were negatively correlated with body esteem and body appreciation. Finally, appearance-related cybervictimisation was significantly associated with adolescent females’ desire to pursue appearance alterations through methods such as dieting and exercising, altering self-presentation, and undergoing cosmetic procedures due to perceived experiences of ARC. These findings highlight the urgent need for preventative measures, such as age-appropriate social media policies and health promotion programs that encourage positive online behaviour, and strategies to address the impacts of ARC to protect the mental well-being of adolescent females.

Plain English Summary

Cyberbullying directed towards appearance is a serious problem for many adolescent females. Our study examined how often this type of cyberbullying happens online and its impact on females aged 14–19. We found that many adolescent females experience appearance-related cyberbullying, where they are teased or insulted about their body shape, weight, or physical features. These experiences make them more likely to feel bad about their bodies, leading to harmful behaviours like extreme dieting or considering cosmetic surgery. These findings highlight the urgent need for action from schools, parents, and social media platforms to prevent this form of cyberbullying and support those affected.

Introduction

Adolescence represents a critical developmental stage characterised by profound changes in neurobiology, cognition, and social-emotional development [ 6 , 7 ]. This period is marked by significant physical maturation and the intricate process of identity formation, rendering adolescents highly responsive to social and environmental influences [ 14 , 17 , 64 ]. Theoretical frameworks, such as those proposed by Thompson et al. [ 70 ] and Cash [ 12 ], highlight how social and environmental factors—including negative affect, low self-esteem, media pressures, social comparison processes, peer influences, internalisation of the societally-based thin-ideal, and parental pressures—intersect to shape adolescents' body image and contribute to body image concerns [ 62 , 80 ].

Body image concerns are a significant issue for adolescents, with recent survey findings indicating that 90% of Australians aged 12–18 years are concerned with their body image, with more than 38% being very or extremely concerned [ 10 ]. Additionally, studies have found that 24–46% of adolescent girls and 12–26% of adolescent boys’ report marked body dissatisfaction [ 8 , 52 , 67 ]. Notably, females, gender diverse youth, and those in the LGBTQIA + community report the highest levels of body dissatisfaction [ 30 ]. Body dissatisfaction, encompassing negative subjective evaluations of the weight and shape of one's own body, is closely linked with various mental health disorders among adolescent females, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders [ 56 , 66 , 74 ].

The widespread use of social media has revolutionised communication, self-expression, and identity exploration among adolescents [ 47 ]. However, alongside these opportunities, social media platforms also pose significant threats to adolescent mental and social well-being, particularly for females, by shaping and perpetuating societal beauty ideals, fostering peer comparisons, and facilitating bullying [ 3 , 53 ]. Recent sociocultural frameworks suggest that features of social media—such as idealised images of peers, celebrities, and influencers, along with the quantifiable feedback on these images—intersect with adolescent developmental factors and sociocultural gender socialisation processes to shape body image [ 15 ]. Cross-sectional studies have found that these interactions, particularly through online appearance-related activities, exacerbate body image concerns and negatively impact mental health among adolescence, particularly females [ 61 , 65 ].

Of particular concern is appearance-related cyberbullying (ARC), which has emerged as the predominant form of bullying experienced by adolescent females [ 5 , 13 , 51 ]. ARC involves online harassment or criticism focused on physical appearance, including aspects such as weight, body shape, and facial features [ 5 ]. Notably, emerging research suggests that ARC is linked to increased emotional distress, perpetuation of negative societal beauty standards, and heightened vulnerability to body image concerns, including body dissatisfaction [ 5 , 25 , 57 ].

Despite the established association between cyberbullying and negative body image outcomes [ 34 , 46 , 54 , 57 ], research specifically focusing on ARC remains sparse, particularly concerning vulnerable adolescent females. Understanding the distinct impacts of ARC is crucial for comprehending its implications on adolescent body image and mental health outcomes [ 5 , 25 ]. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to conduct a quantitative investigation of ARC among adolescent females, focusing on its prevalence and psychological impacts.

Cyberbullying and body image outcomes among adolescent females

Cyberbullying and traditional bullying share commonalities in their intent to inflict harm through repeated aggressive behaviours and a power imbalance between the perpetrator and victim [ 29 , 32 , 50 , 75 ]. However, while traditional bullying occurs in face-to-face contexts, cyberbullying occurs within the digital realm, utilising electronic communication to perpetrate harm [ 63 , 71 ]. Further distinguishing features of cyberbullying include anonymity, rapid communication, lack of direct supervision, frequent repetition of incidents, and the potential to reach a broad audience [ 55 ]. Both forms of bullying involve three roles: perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. In cyberbullying dynamics, perpetrators initiate online aggression, causing distress to victims who suffer psychological and emotional harm [ 71 ]. Bystanders, on the other hand, observe these incidents and can inadvertently amplify them within the online environment [ 36 ].

Estimating cyberbullying prevalence is challenging due to underreporting, variability in definitions, rapid technological advances, cultural and social influences, and age-related development factors [ 82 ]. Research indicates that cyberbullying incident rates among adolescence range from 5.6–46.3% for perpetrators, 8.0–57.5% for victims and 62.3–75% for bystanders [ 2 , 27 , 82 ]. Gender disparities reveal higher rates of cybervictimisation among females and greater perpetration among males [ 33 , 68 ].

Emerging neurobiological research highlights the profound impact of cyberbullying on adolescent mental health, suggesting parallels between peer victimisation and physical pain processing in the adolescent brain [ 41 , 73 ]. Such experiences may become biologically embedded, heightening adolescents' vulnerability to mental health problems associated with cyberbullying, including increased social anxiety and withdrawal [ 16 ], generalised anxiety and depression [ 48 ], body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviours [ 18 , 23 , 57 ], self-harm and suicide attempts [ 37 ], and reduced psychological well-being [ 22 ].

Experimental research further highlights a reciprocal relationship between cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction. Cross-sectional studies show that adolescent females targeted by cyberbullying tend to internalise negative perceptions of their appearance more intensely than similarly victimised boys [ 24 , 38 , 42 ]. Longitudinal studies reveal that victims internalise online negativity, leading to lower self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and increased depressive symptoms [ 57 , 77 ]. Conversely, a systematic review by Holland and Tiggemann [ 35 ] shows that adolescents with elevated body dissatisfaction are more likely to seek social media validation, exposing themselves to negative comments and feedback, which exacerbates body dissatisfaction and compromises well-being [ 24 , 57 ]. This cycle perpetuates the negative impacts of cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction, reinforcing one another.

As summarised above, current research has established an association between adolescents' experiences of cyberbullying and the development of body image issues and eating disorders [ 24 , 34 , 54 , 57 ]. However, it is important to note that many studies addressing cyberbullying conflate evidence across online (i.e., cyberbullying) and offline (i.e., traditional bullying) experiences, thus complicating the ability to isolate and understand the unique impacts of cyberbullying in its original form, online [ 82 ]. Nevertheless, findings from cyberbullying studies parallel those observed in offline settings, whereby traditional bullying related to physical appearance has been shown to significantly heighten body dissatisfaction and the development of disordered eating behaviours among adolescent females [ 18 ]. More specifically, research shows that bullying targeting aspects of appearance, such as body shape, heighten adolescents’ tendencies toward disordered eating behaviours [ 4 , 44 ], while bullying that targets facial features increases adolescents' likelihood of considering cosmetic procedures later in life [ 18 , 43 ]. Given the pervasive influence of digital spaces, research emphasises that ARC may be potentially more harmful to adolescent mental health than traditional forms of bullying, necessitating the importance of ongoing investigation [ 57 ].

Appearance-related cyberbullying and body image outcomes among adolescent females

Acknowledging the distinction between general cyberbullying and ARC is crucial for understanding the nuanced impacts and consequences on adolescent body image and mental health outcomes. This differentiation has guided significant research efforts, such as those by Berne et al. [ 5 ], Frisén and Berne [ 25 ] and Wang and Ding [ 76 ], who explored ARC's nuanced effects. In their focus group study involving 27 adolescence, Berne et al. [ 5 ] discovered a gender-specific pattern, showing that females were more frequently targeted regarding weight and shape, while boys were more likely to be cyberbullied about their muscularity. Additionally, the study revealed that adolescent females experienced more severe outcomes from ARC, including higher rates of depression, lower self-esteem, and greater body concerns. In a more recent study, Frisén and Berne [ 25 ] conducted a survey with 482 adolescents, examining the relationship between cybervictimisation and body image concerns, such as body-esteem, self-objectification, and internalisation of societal body ideals. Their findings indicated that victims of ARC experienced significantly worse body image outcomes compared to those subjected to general cyber victimisation. This included reduced satisfaction with their appearance, increased body shame, and deeper internalisation of thinness ideals, exacerbated by media representations of idealised body images.

Overview of the current study

Building upon foundational research, this study aims to address gaps in understanding the effects of ARC on body image and associated mental health outcomes among Australian adolescent females aged 14–18 years. Specifically, we investigate the prevalence, forms, and psychological impacts of ARC, and hypothesise that greater experiences of ARC victimisation will be associated with increased body dissatisfaction and heightened vulnerability to eating disorder symptoms.

Participants

Participants were N  = 336 individuals who identified as female, aged 14–19 years old ( M age  =  15.98 SD  = 1.27), and were recruited from the general community and the university of the research team. All participants outside of the age bracket, who did not identify as female, or those that did not provide explicit consent, were excluded from the study. The majority of participants were attending secondary school (85.4%) at the time of completing the survey.

This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics committee at the home institution of the lead author (approval number S221703). Participants were recruited through social media paid advertisements, networks of the research team, and a first-year psychology student research participation scheme. The study was described as examining the relationship between ARC and body image outcomes. Participants were asked to carefully consider their participation and withdraw if topics of cyberbullying, body image, or disordered eating were triggering for them.

Data collection took place from March to June, 2023. Participants entered the online survey (hosted by Qualtrics), read the project information sheet, and before commencing were required to provide consent. To ensure informed consent, participants were required to complete a brief questionnaire aimed at assessing their comprehension and understanding of their participation in the research project before commencing the survey [ 45 ]. To maintain both anonymity and informed consent, a two-question strategy was implemented. One example question inquired, "Is my participation in this study voluntary?" Participants were required to select one of two options: (1) "My participation is not voluntary, and I am expected to complete the study," or (2) "My participation is voluntary, and it is perfectly okay to decline or withdraw at any point." Importantly, participants needed to answer both questions correctly (i.e., “My participation is voluntary, and it is perfectly okay to decline or withdraw at any point") to proceed to the main survey, ensuring a robust verification of their understanding and consent.

Once participants commenced the survey, they were required to first complete a set of demographic questions, followed by the above-mentioned self-report questionnaires in the following sequence: BCyQ, ARC measures (roles, types and impact), BSQ, BESSA, BISS, BAS-2 and chEDE-Q. After completing the self-report questionnaires, participants received a debriefing statement. Additionally, they were provided with links to relevant information from the Butterfly Foundation, a non-profit Australian organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with eating disorders and promoting body positivity [ 10 ], as well as links to other important mental health services. Participants were also offered a follow-up call with the research team member if required, and a list of resources were made available to participants to access further support if needed. Participants were provided with a separate link which allowed them to leave their details to enter a prize draw for six products worth AUD $50.

Cyberbullying and cybervictimisation

The Berlin Cyberbullying-Cybervictimisation Questionnaire (BCyQ) [ 60 ] was used to assess experiences of cyberbullying (20 items) and cybervictimisation (19 items). The BCyQ has been validated and has good psychometric properties in young people aged 9–17 years. Participants were asked if they had experienced a list of behaviours over the previous six months, as well as if they had acted in that way. The scale ranged from 1 ( has not happened to me at all) to 5 ( several times a week ). Combined scores were then created to allow a total score for both cyberbullying (score range = 18–90) and cybervictimisation (score range = 17–85), with higher scores indicating greater frequency of either bullying or victimisation. These scales were shown to have good internal consistency in this study (cyberbullying α = 0.883; cybervictimisation α = 0.94).

Appearance-related cyberbullying (ARC)

Due to the limited research on ARC, there is a scarcity of tailored questionnaires that adequately measure its dimensions. Thus, this study adopted an approach to examine the various dimensions of ARC through three distinct measures, based on the frameworks established in previous research [ 5 , 25 , 76 ].

The first measure of ARC utilised six items from the BCyQ to evaluate the different roles in ARC dynamics. From the BCyQ's original set of 17 victimisation and 18 bullying items, we carefully selected and adapted three items from each measure based on their applicability to ARC. This selection process facilitated the categorisation of participants as either ARC-bullies, ARC-victims, ARC-bully-victims, or those with no experience of ARC. A key modification in this adaptation was the integration of the phrase "my appearance or body" into the text of the six chosen statements, thereby tailoring the measure to focus specifically on appearance-related aspects of cyberbullying. For example, the BCyQ statement 'Others spread embarrassing, insulting, or humiliating video clips/photos of me without my permission on the Internet or by mobile phone' was revised to 'Others spread embarrassing, insulting, or humiliating video clips/photos of my appearance or body without my permission on the Internet or by mobile phone.' The instructions and response scales are the same as the BCyQ. Participants were asked if they had experienced a list of behaviours over the previous six-months, as well as if they had acted in that way. The 5-point Likert scales ranged from 1 (has not happened to me at all) to 5 ( several times a week). Combined scores were then created to allow a total score (analogous to the scoring methodology of the BCyQ) for ARC-bullies (score range = 4–15) and ARC-victims (score range = 4–15) or ARC-bully-victims (score range = 4–15 on both victim and bully scale), with higher scores indicating greater frequency of ARC. Cronbach's alpha for this category was calculated at 0.76, indicating acceptable internal consistency.

Types of ARC experienced

The second measure comprised ten items formulated by the research team to delineate specific types of ARC. Drawing from established body image, eating disorder, and appearance-related questionnaires [ 19 , 40 , 79 ] these items explored several aspects of appearance, including body shape, body size, specific body attributes (e.g., breasts), disability, changes to appearance (e.g., scars), facial features, clothing or style, skin colour, age, and body tone or muscularity. Participants were asked if they had ever experienced these types of ARC. An example question is, “Have you ever been made fun of or teased online because of your body shape?” The 5-point Likert scales ranged from 1 (has not happened to me at all) to 5 ( several times a week). The internal consistency for this measurement was robust, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92.

Impact of ARC on the desire to change physical appearance

The third measure aimed to investigate the emotional and psychological impact of ARC. Informed by research that suggests an association between experiences of appearance-related bullying and the desire to change physical appearance [ 18 ], three items were utilised to evaluate the extent to which individuals desired to alter their physical appearance due to their experience with ARC. Participants were asked whether and how often they had felt a certain way about their appearance because of their experience with ARC. An example question is, “Have you ever felt the need to change your appearance through cosmetic procedures (e.g., nose job, boob job) because of appearance-related cyberbullying?” The 5-point Likert scale ranged from 1 (never) to 5 ( frequently). The internal consistency of this category was evidenced by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86.

Body satisfaction

The Body Shape Questionnaire subscale (BSQ-8) was used to assess body dissatisfaction and body shape/weight concerns. The BSQ-8 contains 8 items that assess factors such as preoccupation with weight, dissatisfaction with specific body parts, and the desire to change one's body shape over the past month (4 weeks). Examples of items in the BSQ-8 include “Have you felt so bad about your shape that you have cried?” and “Have you avoided running because your flesh might wobble?” Participants indicated their agreement with each statement on a 6-point Likert scale from 1 ( never ) to 6 ( always ). Total scores for the BSQ ranged from 8 to 48, with higher scores indicating higher levels of body dissatisfaction and body shape/weight concerns. This scale was shown to have good internal consistency in this study (α = 0.91) and in past research [ 79 ].

Body esteem

The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) [ 49 ] is a 23-item tool designed to assess an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses to their body image, providing insights into their self-perception and body esteem. The BESAA has three subscales: BE-Appearance (general feelings about one's appearance; e.g., “I like what I see when I look in the mirror”) (ten items), BE-Weight (satisfaction with one's weight; e.g., “I really like what I weigh”) (eight items) and BE-Attribution (evaluations attributed to others about one's body and appearance (e.g., “People my own age like my looks”) (five items). Using a five-point a five-point Likert-scale ranging from 0 ( never ) to 4 ( always ), participants were asked to indicate the degree to which they agreed with each statement on. Total scores for the BESAA ranged from 23 to 115, with higher scores indicating higher body esteem. The BESAA is a widely used measure in research and clinical settings and was shown to have good internal consistency in this study (α = 0.94) and in past research [ 40 ].

The Body Image Shame Scale (BISS) [ 19 ] was used to measure experiences of body image shame. The BISS is a 14-item scale comprising a two-factor structure that assesses both externalised and internalised dimensions of body shame. The externalised dimension consists of seven items that assess judgments of being negatively evaluated or criticised by others based on one's physical appearance, such as feeling uncomfortable in social situations due to fear of criticism (e.g., " The relationship I have with my physical appearance makes it difficult for me to feel comfortable in social situations"). The internalised dimension includes seven items that focus on negative self-evaluations based on one's physical appearance, such as feeling like a defective person when seeing one's body in the mirror (e.g., "I choose clothes that hide parts of my body that I consider ugly or disproportional"). Additionally, a combined score for overall body shame was calculated. Participants rated each item based on the frequency of experiencing body image shame, ranging from 0 ( never ) to 4 ( almost always ). Total scores for the BISS ranged from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating higher levels of body shame. This scale was shown to have good internal consistency in this study (α = 0.95) and in past research with a female adolescent sample [ 78 ].

Body appreciation

Feelings of body appreciation and acceptance were measured by the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) [ 72 ]. The BAS-2 is a 10-item scale consisting of a series of statements that capture positive attitudes and behaviours related to body image, such as valuing one's body for its functionality, expressing gratitude towards one's body, and treating one's body with kindness and respect. Using a 5-point Likert scale with responses ranging from 1 ( never ) to 5 ( always ), participants were asked to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement (i.e., “I respect my body”) on. Total scores for the BAS-2 ranged from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater body appreciation. The BAS-2 has shown good internal consistency in this study (α = 0.95) and in previous studies [ 72 ].

Eating disorder (ED) symptomology

The 8-item Child Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (chEDE-Q8) [ 39 ] was used to assess ED symptomology. The chEDE-Q8 is based on the EDE-Q (a gold standard diagnostic interview for EDs) but is modified for use in younger populations. The chEDE-Q includes 8-items that assess key attributes of eating disorders over the past 14-days, such as dietary restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern. Participants were asked questions such as “How many times in the past 14-days have you been trying to cut down on food to control your weight or shape?” in which they responded to on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ( no days ) to 7 ( every day ). Total scores for the chEDE-Q8 ranged from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater eating disorder symptomatology. The chEDE-Q8 has been shown to have good internal consistency in this study (α = 0.92) and good convergent reliability, validity and internal consistency in young people aged 13–18 years [ 39 ].

Statistical analysis

Data analysis was conducted using SPSS® (version 27, IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). Prior to analysis, a series of assessments were performed to ensure data integrity, including checking for normality, homogeneity of variance, and identification of any potential outliers.

Descriptive statistics assessed the means and standard deviations (SD) for various body image and ED measures across different ARC groups (bullies, victims, bully-victims, and those with no experience of ARC). Notably, ARC-bullies were excluded from further analysis due to the small sample size. Pearson’s correlations were used to assess relationships between these measures, and ANOVA identified differences in body image and ED variable measures between ARC groups (i.e., ARC-victims, ARC-bully-victims, and no experience of ARC). The assumption of normality was met for ANOVA testing. Levene’s statistic was non-significant, indicating that the assumption of homogeneity of variances was met for all measures ( p  > 0.05).

Three separate multiple regression analyses (MRA) were conducted for each of the following criterion variables: the desire to change physical appearance through diet or exercise, the desire to change self-presentation (e.g., changing hair, makeup, or clothing), and the desire to change appearance through cosmetic procedures. Each model incorporated 11 predictor variables, including one demographic factor (i.e., age) and 10 distinct types of ARC, including ARC directed towards: body shape, body size, specific body attributes, facial appearance, changes to appearance, clothing or style, skin colour, age, disability and body tone or muscularity. the predictor variables included age and experiences of ARC-victimisation directed towards: body shape, body size, specific body attributes, changes to appearance, facial appearance, clothing or style, body tone or muscularity, skin colour, age, and disability.

Assumption testing included normality of the predictor variables, which was verified through normal probability plots; homoscedasticity, assessed via scatterplots of residuals; absence of multivariate outliers, confirmed using Mahalanobis distance (threshold ≤ 13.82 for df = 2, α = 0.001); and multicollinearity, assessed through tolerance values (all > 0.2) [ 1 ].

Preliminary analysis

A total of N  = 612 survey responses were collected. Missing data were handled using a combination of deletion and imputation methods. Responses flagged by Qualtrics as bot responses or empty surveys ( n  = 199) were excluded from the dataset. Additionally, responses with substantial missing self-report data were excluded ( n  = 77); this included participants who did not complete any items within one or more of the three ARC measures ( n  = 35) and those with more than 25% missing data across all four body image questionnaires and the eating disorder questionnaire ( n  = 42). Mean replacement was applied to participants with smaller amounts of missing data (17 data points across 5 participants). A Missing Completely at Random (MCAR) test was conducted to ensure the appropriateness of our data handling methods, and the results indicated that the missing data were random. After exclusions and imputations, a final total of N  = 336 survey responses were included in the analysis.

To ensure that the final sample was representative, we conducted an analysis comparing demographic data collected (i.e., age and education status) between the included ( N  = 336) and excluded ( N  = 77) participants. An independent samples t-test revealed no significant difference in age between included ( Mage  = 15.98, SD = 1.27) and excluded participants ( Mage  = 15.83, SD = 1.13); t(411) = − 0.957, p  = 0.339, with a mean difference of − 0.151 (95% CI − 0.461 to 0.159). Effect size measures indicated a small effect size (Cohen's d = − 0.121, 95% CI − 0.369 to 0.127). A chi-square test also showed no significant difference in the distribution of education status (secondary school, university, or neither) between included and excluded participants; χ 2 (2, N = 412) = 1.366, p  = 0.505.

An a priori power analysis was conducted using G*Power [ 21 ]. The analysis indicated that 152 participants was recommended to achieve adequate statistical power considering an effect size of 0.15, error probability of 0.05, and desired power level of 0.90. With our final sample size of 336 participants, we can confidently affirm that our study possesses ample statistical power. Descriptive statistics are summarised in Table  1 .

Participants were categorised based on their experiences relating to ARC, aligning with the reporting of the BCyQ. Those with a total score exceeding 17 on the ARC-victimisation scale ( N  = 167) were categorised as 'ARC-victims.' Individuals scoring above 18 on the ARC-bully scale ( N  = 9) were categorised as 'ARC-bullies ' [ 60 ]. Participants who scored above these thresholds on both scales ( N  = 33) were classified as ‘ARC-bully-victims.’ Those scoring below 17 on the ARC-victimisation scale and below 18 on the ARC-bully scale were categorised as ‘no experience’ ( N  = 127).

Prevalence and characteristics of cyberbullying experiences

Most of the sample reported at least one experience of cyberbullying ( n  = 320; 98.2%), and 62.2% ( n  = 209) reported ARC. Of those that reported general cyberbullying, 20.6% ( n  = 67) reported cybervictimisation, 1.5% ( n  = 5) reported cyberbullying perpetration, 76.1% ( n  = 248) reported cyberbullying and cybervictimisation, and 1.8% ( n  = 6) reported no experience of cyberbullying. Of those that reported ARC, 49.7% ( n  = 167) reported ARC-victimisation, 2.7% ( n  = 9) reported ARC-perpetration, 9.8% ( n  = 33) reported ARC-perpetration and ARC-victimisation and 37.8% ( n  = 127) reported no prior experience of ARC.

Among the participants with reported experiences of ARC-victimisation, the majority indicated that it was directed at aspects of their physical appearance, with body shape and size (fatness, thinness) being the most commonly targeted attributes. Specific body attributes, such as breasts and bottom, facial appearance, clothing or style, changes to appearance (e.g., scars, burns, skin conditions) and body tone and muscularity were also frequently reported. Less commonly, ARC-victimisation focused on age, skin colour and disabilities.

Furthermore, 96.2% of participants who reported an experience of ARC reported feeling like they would like to change their body shape, size, or physical appearance (i.e., through diet or exercise) due to ARC, with 74.2% reporting experiencing this feeling often or always. Additionally, 95.2% of participants felt like they would like to change how they present themselves (i.e., changing hair, makeup, or clothing) because of ARC, with 69.4% reporting feeling this way often or always. Finally, 81.3% of participants felt like they needed to change their appearance through cosmetic procedures (i.e., nose job, boob job etc.) due to ARC experiences, with 40.7% indicating experiencing such feelings often or always.

Analysis of ARC effects on body image outcomes and desire to change appearance

The subsequent analyses examined the impact of ARC experiences (i.e., ARC-victim, ARC-bully-victim, ARC-bully, and no experience of ARC) on psychological constructs such as body shape concern, body esteem, body shame, body appreciation, and eating disorder symptomology. As shown in Table  2 , participants categorised as ARC-victims and both ARC-bully-victims had higher mean scores for body shape concerns, body shame, and eating disorder symptomology, and lower mean scores of body esteem and appreciation, compared to ARC-bullies and those without ARC experiences. Pearson's correlation analysis (Table  3 ) revealed significant associations, indicating that higher rates of ARC-victimisation correlated with increased body shape concerns, body shame, and eating disorder symptomology, while negatively correlating with body esteem and body appreciation.

Due to the small sample size of reported ARC-bullies ( n  = 9; 2.7%), this group was excluded from further analysis.

The ANOVAs revealed statistically significant differences between the three groups (ARC-victims, ARC-bully-victims, and no experience of ARC) on scores related to body shape concern body esteem body shame body appreciation and eating disorder symptomology. Subsequent post-hoc analyses utilising Bonferroni correction indicated significant pairwise differences between groups ( p  < 0.05). Specifically, ARC-victims and ARC-bully-victims demonstrated significantly higher body shape concern, body shame and eating disorder symptomology, compared to those with no experience. Additionally, ARC-victims and ARC-bully-victims also reported lower body esteem and body appreciation than those with no experience. The results suggest that individuals who have encountered ARC, whether as cybervictims or cyberbully-victims, exhibit more negative body image and higher ED symptomology compared to those with no such experiences.

ARC-victimisation on the desire to change appearance

To investigate the association between specific types of ARC-victimisation and the desire to change aspects of appearance in adolescent females because of perceived ARC, Pearson’s correlations (Table  4 ) and three standard MRAs were performed (Table  5 ).

The model incorporated 11 predictor variables, including one demographic factor (i.e., age) and 10 distinct types of ARC, including ARC directed towards: body shape, body size, specific body attributes, facial appearance, changes to appearance, clothing or style, skin colour, age, disability and body tone or muscularity. The analysis was based on data from 209 participants with a reported experience of ARC.

Association between ARC-victimisation and the desire to change physical appearance through diet or exercise

Significant positive correlations were found between the desire to change one’s body shape, size, or elements of their physical appearance (e.g., through diet or exercise) because of perceived ARC, and experiences of ARC-victimisation directed towards body shape, body size, specific body attributes, changes to appearance, facial appearance, clothing or style, and body tone or muscularity ( p  < 0.001). Additionally, age and ARC directed towards skin colour and age, also showed significant, albeit weaker ( p  < 0.05) positive correlations. No significant correlations were found between experiences of ARC directed towards a disability ( p  = 0.06) and the desire to change the abovementioned elements of physical appearance.

The overall model was statistically significant, accounting for 37.4% of the variance in the desire to change one's body shape, size, or aspects of physical appearance (for instance, via dieting or exercising) because of perceived ARC and experiences of ARC-victimisation ( F (11,197) = 10.688, p  < 0.001). The regression coefficients for the predictors in the model indicated that ARC directed towards one’s body shape ( β  = 0.280, t  = 2.904, p  = 0.004) and specific body attributes ( β  = 0.166, t  = 2.302, p  = 0.022) were the only individual significant predictors of an individual’s desire to change their body shape, size, or elements of physical appearance (e.g., through diet or exercise).

Association between ARC-victimisation and the desire to change self-presentation

Significant positive correlations were found between the desire to change self-presentation (e.g., changing hair, make up, or clothing) because of perceived ARC and experiences of ARC directed towards body shape, body size, specific body attributes, changes to appearance, facial appearance, clothing or style, and body tone or muscularity ( p  < 0.001). Additionally, ARC directed towards a disability, skin colour, and age, also showed significant, albeit weaker ( p  < 0.05) positive correlations.

The second regression model, incorporating the abovementioned predictors, was also significant, and explained 23.3% of the variance in the desire to change self-presentation due to ARC-victimisation ( R 2  = 0.233, F (11, 197) = 5.426, p  < 0.001) in adolescent females. However, the regression coefficients for the predictors in the model indicated that no individual variables contributed significantly to the prediction of the desire to change self-presentation due to ARC-victimisation.

Association between ARC-victimisation and the desire to change appearance through cosmetic procedures

Significant positive correlations were found between the desire to change one’s appearance through cosmetic procedures because of perceived ARC, and experiences of ARC directed towards body shape, body size, specific body attributes, changes to appearance, facial appearance, skin colour, and body tone or muscularity ( p  < 0.001). Additionally, ARC directed towards a disability, clothing or style, and age, also showed significant, albeit weaker ( p  < 0.05) positive correlations. No significant correlations were seen between age of participants ( p  = 0.172) and the desire to change one’s appearance through cosmetic procedures.

The third regression model, incorporating the abovementioned predictors, was statistically significant and explained 22.3% of the variance in the desire to change appearance through cosmetic procedure ( R 2  = 0.223, F (11, 197) = 5.132, p  < 0.001) in adolescent females. The regression coefficients for the predictors in the model indicated that, individually, ARC directed towards specific body attributes ( β  = 0.161, t  = 2.01, p  = 0.046) was the only variable to significantly contribute to the prediction of the desire to change one’s appearance through cosmetic procedures.

The impact of ARC on adolescent mental health is an emerging and critical area of research. Our study contributes valuable insights to the growing body of cyberbullying and body image literature by examining the intricate relationship between ARC and various psychological variables in adolescent females. Collectively, our findings reveal that experiences of ARC-victimisation are associated with significantly elevated levels of body shape concern, body shame, and ED symptomology, coupled with diminished levels of body esteem and body appreciation in adolescent females. Additionally, such experiences were associated with a heightened desire among adolescent females to alter their physical appearance through practices such as dieting, exercise, changing self-presentation, and/or cosmetic procedures. These findings support our hypothesis, and highlight the detrimental effects of ARC on body image and eating disorder-related variables in adolescent females.

The proliferation of social media use among adolescents has coincided with a surge in cyberbullying, particularly concerning body image and EDs among adolescent females. While valuable, prior research into ARC is limited [ 5 ] and often faces methodological challenges such as the absence of validated tools for assessing ARC's prevalence, frequency, types, and consequences.

Our investigation into ARC utilises three targeted measures to explore its different dimensions among adolescent females. These measures allow us to identify the prevalence and specific roles individuals assume in ARC situations, the types of ARC experienced, and the extent to which ARC is perceived to impact an individual’s desire to alter their physical appearance. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of ARC and its influence on adolescent body image and ED variables, emphasising the critical need for methodological progress in the study of cyberbullying. The lack of suitable measures necessitated the curation of items which captured the varied outcomes of ARC. We acknowledge that while these measures were based on frameworks established in previous research [ 5 , 25 , 76 ], these measures have not undergone rigorous testing to ensure their psychometric properties are suitable. Accordingly, we encourage researchers to develop measures in this space which are generalisable across diverse populations and cultural contexts.

In line with earlier results from Berne et al. [ 5 ], body shape and size emerged as the primary focus of ARC encounters reported by our sample of adolescent females. Building on this foundation, our findings indicate that ARC targeting body shape and size is significantly associated with the desire among adolescent females to change their body shape, size, or other physical attributes through means such as dieting or exercising because of perceived ARC. Considering the established link between dieting behaviours and the increased risk of developing long-term disordered eating behaviours and EDs during adolescence, it is critical to identify the risk factors that lead to dieting. Our study uniquely contributes to this understanding by highlighting the potential role of ARC as an important factor associated with dieting behaviours among adolescent females.

Furthermore, encounters with ARC were linked to a heightened desire among adolescent females to change their self-presentation, involving adjustments to their hair, makeup, and/or clothing. Drawing from existing literature, the inclination to alter one's appearance has been recognised as a potential catalyst for the development of negative body image perceptions, reduced self-esteem, and other adverse psychological outcomes [ 12 , 58 ]. Moreover, societal pressures to conform to prevailing beauty standards have been associated with the adoption of unhealthy weight control behaviours and disordered eating patterns [ 20 ]. Hence, it is essential for both research efforts and intervention strategies to thoroughly acknowledge the influential role of ARC in shaping these dynamics.

Finally, our study aligns with existing research that has indicated a connection between bullying and an increased desire for cosmetic procedures among adolescent females [ 43 ]. Importantly, we extend current research by revealing that ARC-victimisation is significantly associated with the desire to alter aspects of physical appearance through cosmetic procedures because of perceived ARC. Specifically, cyberbullying targeting specific body attributes emerged as the sole individual variable significantly associated with this desire, demonstrating the intricate consequences of ARC among adolescent females. Collectively, these findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as age-appropriate social media policies, health promotion programs encouraging positive online behaviour, and strategies to address the impacts of ARC to protect the mental well-being of adolescent females.

Limitations and implications

While our study provides valuable insights into the impacts of ARC on adolescent females, it is not without limitations. Firstly, the sample consisted exclusively of female (sex assigned at birth) participants within a narrow age range. Although this specificity is a strength, allowing for a detailed exploration within a highly affected group, it also limits the applicability of our results to broader, more diverse populations. Thus, diverse, and intersectional analyses, incorporating various genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, are essential to contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of how ARC affects different demographic groups. This is especially important considering the prevalence of body image disturbances and eating disorders among gender and sexually diverse communities [ 11 ] and racial minority groups [ 8 , 9 ]. Additionally, the reliance on self-report data may introduce bias, and the cross-sectional nature of the study limits our ability to establish causal relationships. The cross-sectional design hinders causal inferences, emphasising the need for longitudinal investigations to uncover the temporal dynamics of ARC and its psychological consequences.

Moreover, our study did not include a measure for ARC bystander experiences, a vital component considering the prevalence of bystander involvement in cyberbullying incidents, especially within social media contexts [ 28 ]. Addressing this gap is crucial, as bystanders' exposure to ARC could amplify societal beauty standards, contributing to the internalisation of the thin ideal and body dissatisfaction among adolescents. Specifically, observing cyberbullying that targets body image and appearance may exacerbate young females' concerns over being subjected to similar negative feedback, potentially driving them towards unhealthy behaviours to conform to societal body image expectations. Future research should incorporate assessments of cyberbystander experiences to gain a comprehensive understanding of the broader impact of cyberbullying on adolescent well-being. Including the perspective of bystanders will enhance our insight into the ways in which witnessing ARC influences adolescents’ perceptions of body image, self-esteem, and overall mental health. Expanding the scope to include ARC-bystanders is essential for a more complete evaluation of the role of social and cultural norms in perpetuating body image issues and for crafting solutions that foster healthier online interactions.

Another potential limitation of our study is the design of one of the ARC measures, which was intended to capture participants' perceptions of the impact of ARC on their desire to change their appearance through diet, exercise, or cosmetic procedures. Accordingly, our findings likely reflect perceived impacts rather than a causal relationship . Future research should employ longitudinal designs or alternative methodologies to better disentangle the relationships between cyberbullying experiences, body dissatisfaction, and body modification desires. For instance, future studies could include measures of general body dissatisfaction and desire for appearance changes without directly attributing these to ARC experiences, providing a clearer understanding of these comparative dynamics.

Additionally, the absence of a standard definition of ARC in our measure presents another limitation. This omission may lead to varied interpretations of what constitutes cyberbullying, potentially impacting the consistency and reliability of our findings. Including a clear definition of ARC before presenting the questions could help ensure a more uniform understanding among participants and improve the reliability of self-reported data. Future studies should incorporate such definitions to enhance the clarity and accuracy of the data collected.

Future research will provide the opportunity to enhance our comprehension of ARC among adolescents and its complex effects on mental health. One direction involves integrating neurobiological approaches to investigate the neural mechanisms involved in ARC, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders on the developing adolescent brain. This approach is pivotal in identifying how ARC impacts key developing brain areas involved in emotional regulation, self-esteem, and body image processing, such as the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, and the visual and somatosensory cortices. These areas are critical for managing emotions, self-perception, and integrating visual and somatic information related to one's body image.

Employing advanced neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), researchers have been able to map the specific brain changes and neural circuits altered by the negative experiences associated with ARC and body image concerns. For example, studies utilising fMRI have revealed significant alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and limbic system—areas crucial for emotional regulation and stress response—in adolescents exposed to victimisation [ 23 , 69 ]. These changes highlight the profound impact of cyberbullying on the emotional and psychological well-being of adolescents. Similarly, research has identified aberrant activation in these regions among adolescents with body image concerns and EDs, highlighting the neural basis of such issues [ 59 , 81 ]. Further, investigations employing DTI have documented changes in white matter integrity in brain areas pivotal for body image and self-perception in adolescents with EDs [ 26 , 31 ]. This comprehensive mapping not only corroborates the subjective psychological distress reported by victims of ARC, but also begins to reveal the underlying neural mechanisms, laying a foundational basis for the development of targeted interventions. Thus, neuroimaging research offers critical insights into the intricate relationship between ARC and adolescent brain development, charting a path toward more effective prevention and treatment strategies. By incorporating these neuroimaging findings into therapeutic practices, we can more adeptly address the multifaceted impacts of ARC on adolescent mental health, contributing to the advancement of nuanced and effective interventions.

To summarise, this is the first study to provide a robust examination of appearance-related cyberbullying and its implications for the mental health and well-being of adolescent females. The research identified a strong positive correlation between experiences of appearance-related cybervictimisation and heightened concerns about body shape, body shame, and symptoms of eating disorders. Inversely, these experiences were linked to lower body esteem and body appreciation. Additionally, ARC-victimisation was associated with the inclination among adolescent females towards changing their appearance through dieting, exercising, altering self-presentation, and considering cosmetic procedures. The nuanced insights into specific targets of ARC and desires for change, coupled with a detailed analysis of psychological outcomes and regression models, enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between ARC and its effects on self-perception, body image, and eating disorders in adolescent females. These findings highlight the need for future research to explore potential prevention interventions to support the mental well-being of adolescent females affected by ARC.

Availability of data and materials

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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The first author was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. This research is supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government’s ‘Prioritising Mental Health Initiative’ (2018-25).

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Prince, T., Mulgrew, K.E., Driver, C. et al. Appearance-related cyberbullying and its association with the desire to alter physical appearance among adolescent females. J Eat Disord 12 , 125 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01083-z

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation [with Examples]

In this post, we are going to cover the best way, a very simple three-step process that will help you introduce yourself in a presentation. A summary of the steps is below.

• Start with your name and company (or organization or school).
• Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.
• Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

I will break down each step into a simple-to-follow process. But first… a little background.

Want to beat stage fright, articulate with poise, and land your dream job? Take the 2-minute public speaking assessment and get the Fearless Presenter’s Playbook for FREE!

First, Identify What Your Audience Wants from Your Presentation

So, before you design your introduction, think about what your audience wants from your presentation. Why do they want to spend their valuable time listening to you? Are going to waste their time? Or, are you going to provide them with something valuable?

For instance, I have expertise in a number of different areas. I’m a public speaking coach, a keynote speaker, a best-selling author, a search engine optimization specialist, and a popular podcaster. However, if I delivered that sentence to any audience, the most likely reaction would be, “So what?” That sentence doesn’t answer any of the above questions. The statement is also really “me-focused” not “audience-focused.”

So, when I start to design my self-introduction, I want to focus just on the area of expertise related to my topic. I’m then going to answer the questions above about that particular topic. Once you have these answers, set them aside for a second. They will be important later.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation in Class.

Instead, you probably want to add in a fun way to start a speech . For example, instead of introducing yourself in your class speech and starting in an awkward way, start with a startling statistic. Or start with a summary of your conclusion. Or, you could start the presentation with an inspirational quote.

Each of these presentation starters will help you lower your nervousness and decrease your awkwardness.

If you are delivering a speech in a speech competition or to an audience who doesn’t know you try this technique. Just introduce yourself by saying your name , the school you represent , and your topic . Make it easy. This way you get to your content more quickly and lower your nervousness.

Typically, after you get the first few sentences out of the way, your nervousness will drop dramatically. Since your name, school, and topic should be very easy to remember, this takes the pressure off you during the most nervous moments.

Obviously, follow the guidelines that your teacher or coach gives you. (The competition may have specific ways they want you to introduce yourself.)

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Presentation — A Step-by-Step Guide.

In a professional setting, when new people walk into a meeting and don’t know what to expect, they will feel uncomfortable. The easiest way to ease some of that tension is to chat with your audience as they come into the room.

By the way, if you are looking for a template for an Elevator Speech , make sure to click this link.

Step #1: Start with your name and company name (or organization).

This one is easy. Just tell your audience your name and the organization that you are representing. If your organization is not a well-known brand name, you might add a short clarifying description. For instance, most people outside of the training industry have never heard of The Leader’s Institute ®. So, my step #1 might sound something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company…

Still short and sweet, but a little more clear to someone who has never heard of my company.

Should you give your job title? Well… Maybe and sometimes. Add your title into the introduction only if your title adds to your credibility.

For example, if you are delivering a financial presentation and you are the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of your company, you might mention that. Your title adds to your credibility. However, if the CFO is delivering a presentation about the value of joining a trade association, the CFO title adds little credibility. So, there is very little value in adding the title.

Step #2: Tell your audience what problem you can solve for them.

For instance, if my topic is how to deliver presentations, I have to determine why the audience would care. What problem will they have that I can help them with? For my audiences, the problem that I most often help people with is how to eliminate public speaking fear. Once I have the problem, I add that to my introduction by using the words, “I help people…”

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear.

However, if my topic is How to Close a Higher Percentage of Sales Presentations , I’d likely want to alter my introduction a little. I might say something like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people design more persuasive sales presentations.

I have expertise in both areas. However, I focus my introduction on just the expertise that is applicable to this audience. If I gave the first introduction to the second audience, they will likely respond by thinking, well, I don’t really get nervous speaking, so I guess I can tune out of this speech .

So, create a problem statement starting with, “I help people…” Make the statement apply to what your audience really wants.

Step #3: Share some type of proof (social proof works best) that you can solve this problem.

By the way, if you just do steps #1 and #2, your introduction will be better than most that you will hear. However, if you add Step #3, you will gain more respect (and attention) from your audience. Without adding some type of proof that you can solve this problem, you are just giving your opinion that you are an expert. However, if you can prove it, you are also proving that you are an expert.

This is the tricky part. For some reason, most people who get to this part feel like they haven’t accomplished great things, so they diminish the great accomplishments that they do have.

For instance, an easy way to offer proof is with a personal story of how you have solved that problem in the past.

A Few Examples of How to Introduce Yourself Before a Presentation.

For instance, one of my early clients was a young accountant. When I was working with him, he came up with the following introduction, “I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits.” It was a great, audience-focused attention-getter. (No one wants to get audited.) However, as an accountant, it wasn’t like his company was getting a lot of five-star reviews on Yelp! So, he was kind of struggling with his social proof. So, I asked him a series of questions.

Me, “How many clients do you have?”

Gary, “Over 300.”

Me, “How many small business tax returns have you processed?”

Gary, “Well, at least a couple hundred a year for 15 years.”

Me, “So, at least 3000?” He nodded. “How many of your 300 clients have been audited since you have been representing them?”

He looked at me and said, “Well, none.”

So, we just added that piece of proof to his talk of introduction.

I’m Gary Gorman with Gorman and Associates CPA’s, and I help small businesses avoid IRS audits. In fact, in my career, I’ve helped clients complete over 3000 tax returns, and not a single one has ever been audited.

Here Is How I Adjust My Introduction Based on What I Want the Audience to Do.

For my proof, I have a number of options. Just like Gary, I have had a lot of clients who have had great successes. In addition, I have published two best-selling books about public speaking. I also have hundreds of thousands of people who listen to my podcast each week. So, I can pick my evidence based on what I want my audience to do.

For instance, if I’m speaking at a convention, and I want the audience to come by my booth to purchase my books, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the things that I’m most know for is being the author of two best-selling books, Fearless Presentations and Mastering Presentations.

However, if I’m leading a webinar, I may want the audience to purchase a seat in one of my classes. In that case, my introduction might sound like this.

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. For instance, for the last 20 years, I’ve taught public speaking classes to over 20,000 people, and I haven’t had a single person fail to reduce their nervousness significantly in just two days.

If my goal is to get the audience to subscribe to my podcast, my intro might sound like…

Hi, I’m Doug Staneart with The Leader’s Institute ®, an international leadership development company, and I help people eliminate public speaking fear. One of the ways that I do this is with my weekly podcast called, Fearless Presentations, which has over one million downloads, so far.

Use the Form Below to Organize How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation.

The point is that you want to design your introduction in a way that makes people pause and think, “Really? That sounds pretty good.” You want to avoid introductions that make your audience think, “So what?”

If you have a speech coming up and need a good introduction, complete the form below. We will send you your answers via email!

Can You Replace Your Introduction with a PowerPoint Slide?

Is it okay to make your first slide (or second slide) in your presentation slides an introduction? Sure. A good public speaker will often add an introduction slide with a biography, portrait, and maybe even contact information. I sometimes do this myself.

However, I NEVER read the slide to my audience. I often just have it showing while I deliver the short introduction using the guide above. This is a great way to share more of your work experience without sounding like you are bragging.

For tips about how many powerpoint slides to use in a presentation , click here.

Remember that There Is a Big Difference Between Your Introduction in a Presentation and Your Presentation Starter.

When you introduce yourself in a presentation, you will often just use a single sentence to tell the audience who you are. You only use this intro if the audience doesn’t know who you are. Your presentation starter, though, is quite different. Your presentation starter should be a brief introduction with relevant details about what you will cover in your presentation.

For details, see Great Ways to Start a Presentation . In that post, we show ways to get the attention of the audience. We also give examples of how to use an interesting hook, personal stories, and how to use humor to start a presentation.

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas About Me Slides: How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

About Me Slides: How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

From conference talks to client demos, it’s always essential to include an About Me slide in any presentation you are giving. Introducing yourself early into the presentation helps build a better rapport with the audience.

You can start with several fun facts about me slide to break the ice or go for a more formal professional bio to explain your background and what makes you qualified to talk about the topic at hand. At any rate, your goal is to get the audience on your side by revealing some of your personality. 

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation: 4 Approaches 

It’s a good practice to include self-introduction slides at the beginning of your presentation. If you are looking to answer how to introduce yourself professionally, typically somewhere after the title, opening slide , and the main agenda. However, the presentation structure will be somewhat different depending on whether you are presenting to a new audience or a group of people familiar with (e.g., your team, clients, or business partners). 

Here are four about me slide ideas you can try out, plus an About me template you can use to present yourself in a presentation. 

1. Mention Your Name and Affiliations

Start with the introduction basics. State your name, company, title/position, and several quick facts about who you are and what you do. Even if you present to a familiar audience, a brief recap is always welcome. 

To keep things a bit more engaging, consider adding some lesser-known facts about yourself. For example:

• Your interests 
• Recent accomplishments
• Testimonial/quote from a team member 
• Fun nicknames you got 

The above can be nice ice breakers for less formal team presentations, project updates, or catch-ups with clients. 

Here are several unique About Me examples you can try out:

For a client case study presentation : 

“Hi, I’m Lynda, Chief Customer Success Specialist with Acme Corp. (Also, someone you thought was a chatbot for the first few encounters)

47 NPS | 15% Churn Rate | 40% repeat purchase rate”

For a team after-action review presentation :

Mike, Project Manager at Cool Project

(aka Maximizer)

Personal Project stats:

387 Slack messages answered

56 cups of coffee consumed

Project profit gross margin: $1.2 million 

2. Work On Your Elevator Pitch 

One of the best ways to introduce yourself in a presentation is to share a punchy elevator pitch. This works extra well if you are presenting to a new audience. 

An elevator pitch is a concise statement (1-2 sentences) that summarizes your unique strengths, skills, and abilities and explains how these can benefit your listener. 

It’s nice to have one ready for your presentations and networking in general since it helps you immediately connect with new people and communicate your value. 

Writing a solid elevator pitch may require several attempts and iterations. But the sooner you start — the faster you’ll arrive at the best formula! 

To get your creative juices flowing, here are several elevator pitch ideas you can incorporate in an introduction slide about yourself. 

For professionals: 

“Certified Salesforce Administrator, data visualization specialist, and analytics for top SaaS brands. I help businesses make more sense of their data to drive better outcomes”.

For a mentor :

“Adjunct professor of creative writing at Columbia University, published author, former lifestyle editor at Esquire, the New York Times. I can teach you how to find, shape, pitch, and publish stories for web & print.”

For a student: 

“Third-year Marine Biology student at Denver State Uni. Volunteer at Lake Life Protection NGO, climate change activist, looking to expand my research about water conservation”.

3. Answer Popular Questions or Assumptions 

If you are a frequent presenter , chances are you get asked a lot of the same “About Me questions” after your speeches and during the networking bits. So why not address a roaster of these in your About Me slide? Select 4-5 most common questions and list them as quick FAQs on your slide deck. 

4. Focus on Telling a Story 

Strong introductions are personable. They are meant to offer a sneak-peak into your personality and the passion behind your work. That’s why for less formal presentations, you can (and should!) start with a short personal story. 

Remember: reliability is important to “click” with your audience. 

For instance, neuroscience research of political ads recently found that ads featuring real people performed better than those with genetic stock footage. Among viewers, emotional engagement and memory encoding (recall) increased dramatically when political ads showed relatable people. 

The same holds true for commerce. In 2015, GE launched a viral “What’s the Matter With Owen?” video ad series to attract more young talent to the company. The clips featured a relatable protagonist, struggling to explain what his work at GE entails e.g. that the company isn’t building railroads, but actually does some very innovative pilots. Many engineers related to the promo and work applications to GE shoot up by 800% ! 

As the above examples show, a good relatable story can go a long way. So think about how you can make a PowerPoint presentation about yourself more representative of who you really are as a person. 

How to Give a Presentation About Yourself: 4 Fool-Proof Tips

On other occasions, you may be asked to give a full-length “about me” presentation. Typically, this is the case during a second interview, onboarding , or if you are in attending a training program or workshop where everyone needs to present themselves and their work. 

Obviously, you’ll need more than one good about me slide in this case. So here’s how to prepare a superb presentation about me. 

What to Put in a Presentation About Yourself?

The audience will expect to learn a mix of personal and professional facts about you. Thus, it’s a good idea to include the following information: 

• Your name, contact info, website , social media handles, digital portfolio .
• Short bio or some interesting snippets. 
• Career timeline (if applicable).
• Main achievements (preferably quantifiable).
• Education, special training.
• Digital badging awards , accolades, and other types of recognition.
• Something more personal — an interest, hobby, aspiration. 

The above mix of items will change a bit, depending on whether you are giving an interview presentation about yourself or introduce yourself post-hiring. For example, in some cases a dedicated bio slide may be useful, but other times focusing on main achievements and goals can be better.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at how to organize the above information in a memorable presentation. 

P.S. Grab an about me slide template to make the design process easier! 

1. Create a List of “Facts About Me”

The easiest way to answer the “tell me about yourself” question is by having an array of facts you can easily fetch from your brain. 

When it comes to a full-length about me presentation , it’s best to have a longer list ready. To keep your brainstorming process productive, organize all your ideas in the following buckets: 

• Key skills (soft and hard)
• Educational accolades, training
• Accomplishments and other “bragging rights”
• Personal tidbits (a.k.a. fun facts ) 

Once you have a list, it gets easier to build a series of slides around it. 

2. Think Like Your Audience 

Most likely you’d be asked to make a presentation about yourself by a recruiter. There’s a good reason why many ask this — they want to determine if you are a good “cultural fit” for their organization. 

After all, 33% of people quit within the first 3 months of accepting a new job. Among these:

• 43% of employees quit because their day-to-day role was different than what they were told it would be during the hiring process.
• 32% cite company culture as a factor for leaving within the first three months. 

About me presentations often serve as an extra “filter” helping both parties ensure that they are on the same page expectations- and work style-wise. Thus, when you prepare your slide deck, do some background company research. Then try to align the presentation with it by matching the company tone, communication style, and cultural values. 

3. Include Testimonials and Recommendations

Use the voice of others to back up the claims you are making in your presentation. After all, trumping your own horn is what you are expected to do in such a presentation. But the voices of others can strengthen the claims you are personally making. 

Depending on your role and industry, try to sprinkle some of the following testimonials: 

• LinkedIn recommendations
• Quotes from personal or professional references
• Social media comments 
• Data metrics of your performance
• Funny assessments from your colleagues/friends 

The above not just strengthen your narrative, but also help the audience learn some extras about you and your background. Testimonial slides can be of help for this purpose.

4. Include a Case Study 

One of the best ways to illustrate who you are is to show what you are best in. Remember, an about me presentation often needs to “soft sell” your qualifications, experience, and personality. 

One of the best ways to do that is to showcase how you can feel in a specific need and solve issues the business is facing. 

So if you have the timeframe, use some of the ending slides to deliver a quick case study. You can present: 

• Short retrospective of a past successful project
• Before-after transformations you’ve achieved 
• Spotlight of the main accomplishments within the previous role 
• Main customer results obtained
• Specific solution delivered by you (or the team you’ve worked with) 

Ending your presentation on such a high note will leave the audience positively impressed and wondering what results you could achieve for them.

To Conclude 

It’s easy to feel stumped when you are asked to talk about yourself. Because there are so many things you could mention (but not necessarily should). At the same time, you don’t want to make your introduction sound like a bragging context. So always think from the position of your audience. Do the facts you choose to share benefit them in any way? If yes, place them confidently on your About Me slides! 

1. Personal Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Self Introduction PowerPoint Template

3. Meet the Team PowerPoint Template Slides

4. Introduce Company Profile PowerPoint Template

5. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

6. Modern Resume Presentation Template

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20+ Self Introduction PowerPoint Templates: Download for free!

Think about the image you want to portray during your presentation pitch. Creativity? Soberness? Reliability? A professional PowerPoint design can help you deliver a powerful introduction to your stakeholders . 

Here, you'll find some creative Self-Introduction PowerPoint Templates that are going to elevate your slides to the next level. Our expert team has designed different layouts that you will surely love and save you a lot of time. 

And if you want to present your company and highlight your team's experience, you'll also find some fantastic Team Presentation Templates . Keep reading to get them all for free!

Introducing Yourself PowerPoint Templates

Introducing yourself is vital to generate a connection with your audience . In fact, it showcases your background and abilities, making sure you are the person they seek. 

That being said, let's have a look at the Self-Introduction PowerPoint Templates that we prepared for you and will optimize your creative process:

1. About Me PowerPoint Template

These self-introduction PowerPoint templates are perfect for anyone trying to convey sobriety and professionalism. 

The pack offers different layouts, which you can use to engage your audience and showcase your work experience. 

2. Personal Resume PowerPoint Template

This template is another great option for introducing yourself through a PowerPoint presentation. 

You'll find different types of diagrams and graphs that will display all your skills and work experience in a more eye-catching way. 

3. Colorful Resume PowerPoint Template

With this colorful template, you'll be able to create more impactful slides and add your desired background. 

It also includes a map that will help you showcase your experience abroad! 

4. Creative Resume PowerPoint Template

If you are not sure of the color palette of your presentation, try this blue template. It's the perfect color to convey professionalism!

This self-introduction PowerPoint template will definitely catch your audience's attention from the beginning. 

5. Personal Branding PowerPoint Template

This template is focused on Personal Branding, but you can use the graphics to organize your "About me" presentation in PowerPoint.

As always, we invite you to customize each element however you like!

6. Women Leadership Powerpoint Template

Want to be concise in your pitch? This template will inspire you!

As you can see in the image, you'll find a minimalist design of pink and purple tones.

7. Timeline Infographic PowerPoint Template

This template package has timelines and graphics that will be useful for organizing your personal information.

If you were looking for a modern and creative self-introduction template, this design may be for you!

8. User Persona PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template was initially designed to present Buyer Personas but can be adapted for an "About Me" section.

9. Photography Portfolio PowerPoint Template

Want to improve your portfolio? We've designed portfolio templates in PowerPoint, too!

This resource was created for photographers, but you can adjust it to your needs.

10. Career Portfolio PowerPoint Template

Here is another portfolio design in PowerPoint! 

When you download this template, you'll find a sober self-introduction design with blue tones.

We're not done yet!

In the following section, you'll discover more PowerPoint templates for introducing your work team to an audience.

Team Introduction PowerPoint Templates

Introducing your team becomes crucial when you want to attract new clients or investors to your business. It will spotlight your team's capabilities, convincing your audience that you can solve their problems. 

As always, all the slides in our templates are easily editable , so you can add any image you like and customize the aesthetics according to your color scheme .

Let's check the Team Introduction PowerPoint Templates we have for you: 

1. Team Slides PowerPoint Template

This team introduction PowerPoint template offers 8 different designs that will impress your audience. 

Pick the layout you like the most and add it to your presentation deck! 

2 . Roles and Responsibilities PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template is all about the roles and responsibilities of each team member.  

If you’re working on a new project, this team intro PowerPoint template will be perfect! 

3. Meet The Team PowerPoint Template

If you're seeking to introduce your company to a potential investor or client, check out these team introduction slides! 

This template pack will help you to present a complete overview of your business and the people involved in it.

4. Project Management PowerPoint Template

Do you have a project running and need to design the final presentation? This template is made for you!

As in the previous designs, you will find a project team slide template and more graphics that will make your presentation dazzle.

5. Strategic Action Plan PowerPoint Template

Here is another of our corporate templates to introduce your work team to an audience.

If you want designs with green and blue tones, this resource is for you!

6. Finance Team PowerPoint Template

This presentation contains animated slides with a fresh design.

When you download this PowerPoint template, you'll find a "mission and vision" section, a description of services, a customer profile, and more!

7. Light Corporate PowerPoint Template

Want to present a creative self-introduction but need more time to think about the design? If so, this template will be perfect for you.

You'll find a "meet the team" section, 3D graphics, infographics, and more. Download it for free now!

8. Creative Business PowerPoint Template

If you prefer a one-page self-introduction, take a look at this template.

It contains icons, timelines, statistical graphs, and more resources. Like the previous designs, the download is completely free!

9. Creative Pitchbook PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template and its unique designs will immediately catch your audience's attention.

If you want to convey professionalism and detail-oriented, this template pack is for you.

10. Film Pitch PowerPoint Template

These designs were created for film teams but can be adapted to any field!

We are confident its aesthetics will inspire you.

11. Storyboard Artist PowerPoint Template

Looking for more creative self-introduction slides? You'll love this one! 

Initially, this template is black and white, but you can edit the colors freely.

12. Team Introduction PowerPoint Template

This team introduction PowerPoint template has a unique format.

You'll be able to highlight your team's skills visually. And the best thing is that it's easy to understand at first glance!

13. Science Organization PowerPoint Template

A team introduction is always a great idea, but it's even better when you can showcase the relationship between different members and roles! 

With this template pack, you can make that possible.

Looking for Custom PowerPoint Presentations? We got you! 

If you liked our free template designs, you'll love 24Slides custom presentations ! 

A PowerPoint presentation is a great place to start making an excellent first impression. It will show your audience how committed you are to a project and how much effort you will put into it. 

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Found this content interesting? You'll love what's next: 

• 50+ Fun Icebreakers for Your Next Presentation
• 20+ Free PowerPoint and Google Slides Templates for Data Presentations
• How to Make a PowerPoint Template (Tutorial with Pictures!)
• Why is Brand Identity Important in Presentations? Experts answered!  
• The Cost of PowerPoint Presentations: Discover the hidden expenses you might overlook!

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50 Inspiring Examples: Effective Self-Introductions

• Structure of a Good Self-introduction Part 1
• Examples of Self Introductions in a Job Interview Part 2
• Examples of Self Introductions in a Meeting Part 3
• Examples of Casual Self-Introductions in Group Settings Part 4
• Examples of Self-Introductions on the First Day of Work Part 5
• Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Social Setting Part 6
• Examples of Good Self Introductions on Social Media Part 7
• Self-Introductions in a Public Speaking Scenario Part 8
• Name-Role-Achievements Method Template and Examples Part 9
• Past-Present-Future Method Template and Examples Part 10
• Job Application Self-Introduction Email Example Part 11
• Networking Event Self-Introduction Email Example Part 12
• Conference Self-Introduction Email Example Part 13
• Freelance Work Self-Introduction Email Example Part 14
• New Job or Position Self-Introduction Email Example Part 15

Part 1 Structure of a Good Self-introduction

• 1. Greeting and introduction: Start by greeting the person you’re speaking to and introducing yourself. For example, “Hi, my name is Jane. Nice to meet you!”
• 2. Brief personal background: Give a brief overview of your personal background, such as where you’re from or what you do. For example, “I’m originally from California, but I moved to New York a few years ago. I work in marketing for a tech company.” Related: 10 Smart Answers: “Tell Me About Yourself”
• 3. Professional experience: Highlight your relevant professional experience, including your current or previous job titles and any notable achievements. For example, “I’ve been working in marketing for about 5 years now, and I’m currently a Senior Marketing Manager at my company. Last year, I led a successful campaign that resulted in a 20% increase in sales.” Related: How to Describe Yourself (Best Examples for Job Interviews)
• 4. Skills and strengths: Mention any skills or strengths that are relevant to the conversation or the situation you’re in. For example, “I’m really passionate about data analysis and using insights to inform marketing strategy. I’m also a strong communicator and enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams.” Related: 195 Positive Words to Describe Yourself [with Examples] 35 Smart Answers to “What Are Your Strengths?” What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses? (Answers & Strategies)
• 5. Personal interests: Wrap up your self-introduction by mentioning a few personal interests or hobbies, which can help to humanize you and make you more relatable. For example, “In my free time, I love hiking and exploring new trails. I’m also a big fan of trying out new restaurants and cooking at home.”
• Related: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values Best Examples of “Fun Facts About Me” What Are Your Values? How to Discover Your Values

Part 2 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Job Interview

Try to cover these aspects:

• Current or most recent position/job
• A relevant accomplishment or strength
• Why you are excited about the company or role

Templates and Scripts

“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I recently worked as a [Your Most Recent Position] at [Company/Organization]. I successfully managed a team of [Number] members, achieving a [Relevant Accomplishment or Growth]. I’m excited about the opportunity at [Interviewer’s Company] because [Reason Why You’re Interested].”

“Hi, I’m [Your Name], a [Current Job Title or Major Accomplishment]. I’m passionate about [Relevant Industry or Skillset] and have a proven track record of [Specific Result or Achievement]. I believe my skills and experience make me well-suited for this role at [Company], and I’m excited to explore how I can contribute to [Company Goal or Project].”

“Hi, my name is Jane Doe, and I’m the Assistant Marketing Manager at ABC Corp. I recently implemented a successful social media campaign, which increased engagement by 30%. I’m thrilled about the possibility of working with XYZ Inc. because of your innovative marketing strategies.”

“Hello, I’m John Smith, a financial analyst with five years of experience in the banking industry. I’ve consistently exceeded sales targets and helped my team win an award for excellent customer service. I’m excited to join DEF Ltd. because of your focus on sustainable and responsible investing.”

Try to tailor your introduction to the specific interview situation and always show enthusiasm for the position and company. This will show the interviewer that you are the right fit.

Related: How to Describe Yourself (Best Examples for Job Interviews)

Part 3 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Meeting

General tips.

• Start with a greeting: Begin with a simple “hello” or “good morning.”
• State your name clearly: Don’t assume everyone knows you already.
• Mention your role in the company: Help others understand your position.
• Share relevant experience or accomplishments: Give context to your expertise.
• Be brief: Save detailed explanations for later conversations.
• Show enthusiasm: Display interest in the meeting and its objectives.
• Welcome others: Encourage a sense of connection and camaraderie.
• Basic introduction : Hi, I’m [Name], and I work as a [Your Role] in the [Department]. It’s great to meet you all.
• Involvement-focused : Good morning, everyone. I’m [Name], [Your Role]. I handle [Responsibility] in our team, and I’m looking forward to working with you on [Project].
• Experience-based : Hello! My name is [Name] and I’m the [Your Role] here. I’ve [Number of Years] of experience in [Skills or Industry], so I hope to contribute to our discussions during the meeting.
• New team member : Hi, I’m [Name]. I just joined the [Department] team as the new [Your Role]. I have a background in [Relevant Experience] and am excited to start working with you on our projects!
• External consultant : Hello everyone, my name is [Name], and I’m here in my capacity as a [Your Role] with [Your Company]. I specialize in [Skill or Industry], and I’m looking forward to partnering with your team to achieve our goals.
• Guest speaker : Good morning, I’m [Name], a [Your Position] at [Organization]. I have expertise in [Subject], and I’m honored to be here today to share my insights with you.

Related: 10 Smart Answers: “Tell Me About Yourself”

Part 4 Examples of Casual Self-Introductions in Group Settings

Template 1:.

“Hi, I’m [your name], and I’m a [profession or role]. I love [personal hobby or interest].”

“Hi, I’m Emily, and I’m a pediatric nurse. I love gardening and spending my weekends tending to my colorful flower beds.”

“Hello, I’m Mark, and I work as a data analyst. I love reading science fiction novels and discussing the intricacies of the stories with fellow book enthusiasts.”

“Hey there, I’m Jessica, and I’m a chef. I have a passion for traveling and trying new cuisines from around the world, which complements my profession perfectly.”

Template 2:

“Hey everyone, my name is [your name]. I work as a [profession or role], and when I’m not doing that, I enjoy [activity].”

“Hey everyone, my name is Alex. I work as a marketing manager, and when I’m not doing that, I enjoy hiking in the wilderness and capturing the beauty of nature with my camera.”

“Hello, I’m Michael. I work as a software developer, and when I’m not coding, I enjoy playing chess competitively and participating in local tournaments.”

“Hi there, I’m Sarah. I work as a veterinarian, and when I’m not taking care of animals, I enjoy painting landscapes and creating art inspired by my love for wildlife.”

“Hi there! I’m [your name]. I’m currently working as a [profession or role], and I have a passion for [hobby or interest].”

“Hi there! I’m Rachel. I’m currently working as a social worker, and I have a passion for advocating for mental health awareness and supporting individuals on their journeys to recovery.”

“Hello, I’m David. I’m currently working as a financial analyst, and I have a passion for volunteering at local animal shelters and helping rescue animals find their forever homes.”

“Hey, I’m Lisa. I’m currently working as a marine biologist, and I have a passion for scuba diving and exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystems that our oceans hold.”

Related: 195 Positive Words to Describe Yourself [with Examples]

Part 5 Examples of Good Self-Introductions on the First Day of Work

• Simple Introduction : “Hi, my name is [Your name], and I’m the new [Your position] here. I recently graduated from [Your university or institution] and am excited to join the team. I’m looking forward to working with you all.”
• Professional Background : “Hello everyone, I’m [Your name]. I’ve joined as the new [Your position]. With my background in [Your skills or experience], I’m eager to contribute to our projects and learn from all of you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.”
• Personal Touch : “Hey there! I’m [Your name], and I’ve recently joined as the new [Your position]. On the personal side, I enjoy [Your hobbies] during my free time. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and working together.”

Feel free to tweak these scripts as needed to fit your personality and work environment!

Here are some specific examples of self-introductions on the first day of work:

• “Hi, my name is Alex, and I’m excited to be the new Marketing Manager here. I’ve been in the marketing industry for five years and have worked on various campaigns. Outside of work, I love exploring new hiking trails and photography. I can’t wait to collaborate with you all.”
• “Hello, I’m Priya, your new Software Engineer. I graduated from XYZ University with a degree in computer science and have experience in Python, Java, and web development. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and attending live concerts. I’m eager to contribute to our team’s success and learn from all of you.”

Related: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

Part 6 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Social Setting

Casual gatherings: “Hi, I’m [Name]. Nice to meet you! I’m a huge fan of [hobby]. How about you, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

Networking events: “Hello, I’m [Name] and I work as a [profession] at [company]. I’m excited to learn more about what everyone here does. What brings you here today?”

Parties at a friend’s house: “Hi there, my name is [Name]. I’m a friend of [host’s name] from [work/school/etc]. How do you know [host’s name]?”

• Casual gathering: “Hey, my name is Jane. Great to meet you! I love exploring new coffee shops around the city. What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?”
• Networking event: “Hi, I’m John, a website developer at XY Technologies. I’m eager to connect with people in the industry. What’s your field of expertise?”
• Party at a friend’s house: “Hello, I’m Laura. I met our host, Emily, in our college photography club. How did you and Emily become friends?”

Related: Best Examples of “Fun Facts About Me”

Part 7 Examples of Good Self Introductions on Social Media

• Keep it brief: Social media is fast-paced, so stick to the essentials and keep your audience engaged.
• Show your personality: Let your audience know who you are beyond your job title or education.
• Include a call-to-action: Encourage your followers to engage with you by asking a question or directing them to your website or other social media profiles.

Template 1: Brief and professional

Hi, I’m [Your Name]. I’m a [Job Title/Field] with a passion for [Interests or Hobbies]. Connect with me to chat about [Subject Matter] or find more of my work at [Website or Social Media Handle].

Template 2: Casual and personal

Hey there! I’m [Your Name] and I love all things [Interest or Hobby]. In my day job, I work as a [Job Title/Field]. Let’s connect and talk about [Shared Interest] or find me on [Other Social Media Platforms]!

Template 3: Skill-focused

Hi, I’m [Your Name], a [Job Title/Field] specializing in [Skills or Expertise]. Excited to network and share insights on [Subject Matter]. Reach out if you need help with [Skill or Topic] or want to discuss [Related Interest]!

Example 1: Brief and professional

Hi, I’m Jane Doe. I’m a Marketing Manager with a passion for photography and blogging. Connect with me to chat about the latest digital marketing trends or find more of my work at jdoephotography.com.

Example 2: Casual and personal

Hey there! I’m John Smith and I love all things coffee and travel. In my day job, I work as a software developer. Let’s connect and talk about adventures or find me on Instagram at @johnsmithontour!

Example 3: Skill-focused

Hi, I’m Lisa Brown, a Graphic Designer specializing in branding and typography. Excited to network and share insights on design. Reach out if you need help with creating visually appealing brand identities or want to discuss minimalistic art!

Part 8 Self-Introductions in a Public Speaking Scenario

• Professional introduction: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I have [number of years] of experience working in [your field]. Throughout my career, I have [briefly mention one or two significant accomplishments]. Today, I am excited to share [the main point of your presentation].”
• Casual introduction: “Hey everyone, I’m [Your Name], and I [briefly describe yourself, e.g., your hobbies or interests]. I’m really thrilled to talk to you about [the main point of your presentation]. Let’s dive right into it!”
• Creative introduction: “Imagine [paint a visual with a relevant story]. That’s where my passion began for [the main point of your presentation]. My name is [Your Name], and [mention relevant background/information].”
• Professional introduction: “Hello, my name is Jane Smith, and I have 15 years of experience working in marketing and advertisement. Throughout my career, I have helped companies increase their revenue by up to 50% using creative marketing strategies. Today, I am excited to share my insights in implementing effective social media campaigns.”
• Casual introduction: “Hey everyone, I’m John Doe, and I love hiking and playing the guitar in my free time. I’m really thrilled to talk to you about the impact of music on mental well-being, a topic close to my heart. Let’s dive right into it!”
• Creative introduction: “Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the breathtaking view of nature. That’s where my passion began for landscape photography. My name is Alex Brown, and I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my hobby into a successful career. Today, I’ll share my expertise on capturing stunning images with just a few simple techniques.”

Effective Templates for Self-Introductions

Part 9 name-role-achievements method template and examples.

When introducing yourself, consider using the NAME-ROLE-ACHIEVEMENTS template. Start with your name, then mention the role you’re in, and highlight key achievements or experiences you’d like to share.

“Hello, I’m [Your Name]. I’m currently working as a [Your Current Role/Position] with [Your Current Company/Organization]. Some of my key achievements or experiences include [Highlight 2-3 Achievements or Experiences].”

“Hello, I’m Sarah Johnson. I’m a Senior Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. Some of my key achievements include leading a cross-functional team to develop a groundbreaking mobile app that garnered over 5 million downloads and receiving the ‘Tech Innovator of the Year’ award in 2020.”

“Hi there, my name is [Your Name]. I serve as a [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Workplace]. In my role, I’ve had the opportunity to [Describe What You Do]. One of my proudest achievements is [Highlight a Significant Achievement].”

“Hi there, my name is David Martinez. I currently serve as the Director of Marketing at XYZ Company. In my role, I’ve successfully executed several high-impact marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in brand visibility and a 15% boost in revenue last year.”

Template 3:

“Greetings, I’m [Your Name]. I hold the position of [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company]. With [Number of Years] years of experience in [Your Industry], I’ve had the privilege of [Mention a Notable Experience].”

“Greetings, I’m Emily Anderson. I hold the position of Senior Marketing Manager at BrightStar Solutions. With over 8 years of experience in the technology and marketing industry, I’ve had the privilege of spearheading the launch of our flagship product, which led to a 40% increase in market share within just six months.”

Part 10 Past-Present-Future Method Template and Examples

Another template is the PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE method, where you talk about your past experiences, your current situation, and your future goals in a concise and engaging manner.

“In the past, I worked as a [Your Previous Role] where I [Briefly Describe Your Previous Role]. Currently, I am [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Workplace], where I [Briefly Describe Your Current Responsibilities]. Looking to the future, my goal is to [Your Future Aspirations].”

“In the past, I worked as a project manager at ABC Corporation, where I oversaw the successful delivery of multiple complex projects, each on time and within budget. Currently, I’m pursuing an MBA degree to enhance my business acumen and leadership skills. Looking to the future, my goal is to leverage my project management experience and MBA education to take on more strategic roles in the company and contribute to its long-term growth.”

“In my earlier career, I [Describe Your Past Career Experience]. Today, I’m [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company], where I [Discuss Your Current Contributions]. As I look ahead, I’m excited to [Outline Your Future Plans and Aspirations].”

“In my previous role as a software developer, I had the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning. Today, I’m a data scientist at XYZ Labs, where I analyze large datasets to extract valuable insights. In the future, I aspire to lead a team of data scientists and contribute to groundbreaking research in the field of artificial intelligence.”

“During my previous role as a [Your Previous Role], I [Discuss a Relevant Past Achievement or Experience]. Now, I am in the position of [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company], focusing on [Describe Your Current Focus]. My vision for the future is to [Share Your Future Goals].”

“During my previous role as a Sales Associate at Maplewood Retail, I consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by fostering strong customer relationships and providing exceptional service. Now, I am in the position of Assistant Store Manager at Hillside Emporium, where I focus on optimizing store operations and training the sales team to deliver outstanding customer experiences. My vision for the future is to continue growing in the retail industry and eventually take on a leadership role in multi-store management.”

Examples of Self-introduction Emails

Part 11 job application self-introduction email example.

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – [Job Title] Application

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to introduce myself and express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Profession] with [Number of Years] of experience in the field.

I am impressed with [Company Name]’s reputation for [Company’s Achievements or Mission]. I am confident that my skills and experience align with the requirements of the job, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s success.

Please find my resume attached for your review. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about the position. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Related: Get More Interviews: Follow Up on Job Applications (Templates)

Part 12 Networking Event Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am excited to introduce myself to you. I am currently working as a [Your Profession] and have been in the field for [Number of Years]. I am attending the [Networking Event Name] event next week and I am hoping to meet new people and expand my network.

I am interested in learning more about your work and experience in the industry. Would it be possible to schedule a quick call or meeting during the event to chat further?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Part 13 Conference Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – [Conference or Event Name]

I am excited to introduce myself to you as a fellow attendee of [Conference or Event Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Profession or Industry].

I am looking forward to the conference and the opportunity to network with industry experts like yourself. I am particularly interested in [Conference or Event Topics], and I would love to discuss these topics further with you.

If you have some free time during the conference, would you be interested in meeting up for coffee or lunch? I would love to learn more about your experience and insights in the industry.

Part 14 Freelance Work Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – Freelance Writer

Dear [Client’s Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am a freelance writer with [Number of Years] of experience in the industry. I came across your website and was impressed by the quality of your content and the unique perspective you offer.

I am writing to introduce myself and express my interest in working with you on future projects. I specialize in [Your Writing Niche], and I believe my skills and experience would be a great fit for your content needs.

Please find my portfolio attached for your review. I would love to discuss your content needs further and explore how we can work together to achieve your goals. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Part 15 New Job or Position Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – New [Job Title or Position]

Dear [Team or Department Name],

I am excited to introduce myself as the new [Job Title or Position] at [Company Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am looking forward to working with all of you.

I have [Number of Years] of experience in the industry and have worked on [Your Achievements or Projects]. I am excited to bring my skills and experience to the team and contribute to the company’s success.

I would love to schedule some time to meet with each of you and learn more about your role in the company and how we can work together. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting all of you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you create a powerful self-introduction script for job interviews.

To make a strong impression in job interviews, prepare a script that includes:

• Your name and current role or profession.
• Relevant past experiences and accomplishments.
• Personal skills or attributes relevant to the job.
• A brief mention of your motivation for applying.
• An engaging statement that connects your aspirations with the role or company.

How can students present a captivating self-introduction in class?

For an engaging self-introduction in class, consider mentioning:

• Your name and major.
• Where you’re from or something unique about your upbringing.
• Hobbies, interests, or extracurricular activities.
• An interesting fact or anecdote about yourself.
• Your academic or career goals and how they connect to the class.

What are tips for introducing yourself to a new team at work?

When introducing yourself to a new team at work, consider the following tips:

• Be friendly, respectful, and approachable.
• Start with your name and role, then briefly describe your responsibilities.
• Mention your background, skills, and relevant experiences.
• Share a personal interest or fun fact to add a personal touch.
• Express how excited you are to be part of the team and your desire to collaborate effectively.

How do you structure a self-introduction in English for various scenarios?

Regardless of the scenario, a well-structured self-introduction includes:

• Greeting and stating your name.
• Mentioning your role, profession, or status.
• Providing brief background information or relevant experiences.
• Sharing a personal touch or unique attribute.
• Concluding with an engaging statement, relevant to the context, that shows your enthusiasm or interest.
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A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself

• Andrea Wojnicki

Think: present, past, future.

Many of us dread the self-introduction, be it in an online meeting or at the boardroom table. Here is a practical framework you can leverage to introduce yourself with confidence in any context, online or in-person: Present, past, and future. You can customize this framework both for yourself as an individual and for the specific context. Perhaps most importantly, when you use this framework, you will be able to focus on others’ introductions, instead of stewing about what you should say about yourself.

You know the scenario. It could be in an online meeting, or perhaps you are seated around a boardroom table. The meeting leader asks everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Suddenly, your brain goes into hyperdrive. What should I say about myself?

• Andrea Wojnicki , MBA, DBA, is an executive communication coach and founder of Talk About Talk, a multi-media learning resource to help executives improve their communication skills.

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Introducing Me – Best Way to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Tips for giving a better presentation.

Home / Business / How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation (With Tips and Free Templates)

How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation (With Tips and Free Templates)

Giving a presentation can be nerve-wracking and introducing yourself can be daunting. But without an engaging introduction, you just be hitting the dart in the darkroom.

One of the most challenging tasks of any presentation is introducing yourself. Knowing how to start a presentation is key for effective speech or discussion. By coming up with newer and innovative techniques, you can capture your audience’s interest & help them focus on what you are going to share.

If you wonder how to introduce yourself at the presentation’s start, you aren’t alone. As we start the presentation, our nervousness diminishes significantly for most of us. So initial self-intro is important.

The usual introduction, “Hello, Everyone! I’m Ashley, working as Digital marketing head at…….” It is a boring start and won’t cut the ice anymore .

So how to introduce yourself or have a killer presentation start?

Don’t fret! We have outlined what you should say before starting a presentation to help you get the next presentation right.

It’s an adage, ” You only get a single chance to make a first impression.” It’s very true. The first impression really counts, especially during a presentation. An introduction is the key building block of a memorable and convincing presentation.

Before introducing yourself in a presentation, it’s crucial to welcome your audience, so they feel valued and interested for the presentation, we have got you set of free welcome PPT templates .

So, if you are looking for a creative way to introduce yourself in a presentation that will set the scene for the rest of the meeting, we have the best tips to help you introduce yourself and create a great first impression online.

• Know Your Audience and Wants from Your Presentation: Knowing your audience is crucial as it helps to figure out what content and message they care about. You won’t be able to successfully pitch an idea to your audience unless you know what makes them tick. So, before a presentation, have answers to questions like, what do they like? Dislikes? What do they need? What proof will they need to make decisions? Once you have an idea regarding all this, you can draft a successful presentation.

• Our marketing team has achieved an increased conversion of 130% within the last quarter, making our campaign a massive success.
• Commands who made this possible are Ryan, who made sure our user experience was flawless.
• Sean, who maintained the technical functioning and Abby, our accounting head, was responsible for all copies of our major assets.
• Introducing Yourself in a Client Presentation: If you are a freelancer, interacting with clients can really be a daunting task. If you are an experienced copywriter, you can present it interestingly. For example:” I am an experienced copywriter; I have written many ad copies, sales pages, landing pages, newsletters. I have over five years of expertise in this niche. One of my landing pages has converted 50% eyeballs into leads, thus drastically skyrocketing sales.

• Hello, I am Jamie and welcome to our long-awaited session. How are you all? I am too excited. We are living here, and Alec will be joining us in a while.
• Hello everyone, I am mike; I’m so thrilled to see hundreds of you attending today’s webinar. It’s going to be a fantastic session.
• State the Purpose of the Presentation: As of now, you have built a connection with your audience. It’s now the time to summarize the aim of your speech. Of course, your audience will already be aware of your topic. You should make sure it’s clear to everyone. A simple one-line statement is enough, but it should give an overview of the presentation idea.

• Ask for Audience Participation: An attentive audience is more likely to be engaged throughout the presentation. The best way to make your audience participate is by asking them questions that require them to raise their hands or stand up to answer the question.

There’s nothing more daunting than having a big presentation the next day and feeling unprepared. Public speaking can be difficult, and not feeling ready makes it even more arduous when you like not ready. So let’s look at the essential steps to make the best presentation.

• Use of Visuals: Visuals are worth including as it makes your presentation more interesting and helps you explain your points more coherently, enabling learning easier for your audience. Moreover, it makes a long-lasting impression on the minds, making the audience remember the information longer. If you are looking for top-notch visuals for your next presentation, then do check out SlideChef’s creative templates gallery .
• Be Excited and Connect with Your Audience: Show your audience you are super-excited about the presentation by being an energetic speaker. It’s hard to be excited same time when you are nervous. Along with maintaining the tone of voice, make sure you use hand gestures and a smiling face throughout.
• Ask Questions Throughout : Attentive audience is always an engaging audience. Try asking your audience questions periodically. Thus, encouraging them to be more attentive listeners and reflect on the content of your presentation.

• Thank your audience : Effective communication goes beyond just conveying information; it’s about building connections and leaving a lasting impression. One simple yet often overlooked way to enhance your presentation is by expressing gratitude to your audience at the conclusion. I recommend using the Free Thank You templates library for amazing thank you slides.

The introduction is very important, in fact, the most important – part of the presentation as it sets the tone for the entire presentation. An introduction is primarily used to capture the audience’s attention, usually within 15 seconds of the presentation. So make those words count and get the audience’s attention.

We all easily get stumped when asked to talk about ourselves because there are a lot of things you could mention. But at the same time, you want to make your introduction to be short and simple & sound like a bragging context. So always think from the perspective of your audience. Whether the facts you want to share benefit them in any way. If yes, confidently add in your introduction slides.

About The Author

Priyanshu Bharat

Priyanshu is a copywriter who loves to tune into what makes people tick. He believes in presenting his ideas with flair and wit, which has made him an expert at standing on stage and charming the pants off of any audience he's faced with. Priyanshu lives for learning as much as he can, so if you ever need help understanding something - just ask!

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Self-introduction slide templates that make you stand out

Take and use free self-introduction slide templates for modern professionals . Impress everyone with interactive slides beyond your same-old PowerPoint .

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What is a self-introduction slide?

A self-introduction slide is a short and intriguing overview of your personal story, experience, authority, values, and goals. It should be placed near the beginning of your presentation before you get into detail, or near the end as part of an “about the author/speaker” section. The purpose of a self-introduction slide is to establish your authority in the subject matter, but more so built familiarity with the audience so they are more receptive to what you have to say.

It is not to be confused with an introduction slide that applies to a team, a company, a project, or a product.

What makes a good self-introduction slide template?

A self-introduction ppt template structures the essential information you’ll need to include in your personal introduction. It’s important to note that for most cases self-intro slide template should limit you to a short paragraph or two since the presentation should be about the subject matter rather than about you.

What makes a creative self-introduction ppt?

To make a self-intro slide truly creative you’ll want to go beyond PowerPoint and use an interactive presentation maker instead. Interactive content grabs the attention of your audience better and holds it for longer. It helps you stand out in a sea of sameness and engages your readers on another level.

What should a self-introduction PowerPoint template include?

• Your name: This should be prominently displayed on the slide so that the audience knows who you are.
• Your job title and organization: This helps the audience understand your role and perspective.
• A brief overview of your background and experience: This can include your education, previous work experience, and any relevant skills or achievements.
• Your purpose for giving the presentation: This could be to share information, persuade the audience, or simply entertain.
• A professional headshot: This helps the audience put a face to the name and can help build rapport with the audience.

When should I use a personal-presentation slide?

Every presentation that needs to establish the reliability and relatability of the speaker or writer should have a personal introduction slide.

But there are certain types of presentations that are entirely self-inroduction presentations, meaning they are on and about the writer/speaker. These are mainly student presentations such as CV, resume, research proposal, or cover letter.

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8 Effective Ways to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

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Several studies have shown that you only have 7 seconds to make an everlasting impression on your audience in a presentation. It means these few seconds are critical as your audience makes a subconscious decision of whether what you speak is worth listening to or not. 

Presenters generally begin a presentation with their self-introduction, and those 7 seconds cover-up in explaining about them. So, it’s important to make this part of your talk more powerful and captivating.

Self-introduction is not as easy as it seems to be. You would want to highlight your achievements, but at the same time, you won’t want to blow your trumpet. You would not want to share every minute detail about your life, but you won’t want to miss out on telling any important thing about yourself to the audience either. In a nutshell, when you have to introduce yourself, you are in a dilemma – what to say and what not to say.

In this article, we have provided you with some tips and ways to overcome this dilemma and make your self-introduction memorable. Let’s start!

Why is Self-Introduction Important?

A self-introduction is an easy way to start a conversation. You get the opportunity to highlight your skills, educational background, interests, and experience. In short, it gives a brief idea about your personality. Also, this part sets the tone for your entire presentation. Hence it should be compelling enough to woo your listeners.

Creative Ways to Introduce Yourself to the Audience

1. start with your name and background information.

Though this is an age-old way of self-introduction, it’s always in trend and most preferred by global presenters.

State your name, the organization you are representing, the position you hold, and some facts that give a concise idea about your personality.  

For example, you can start in this manner-

“Greetings, I am Stella Harris working for XYZ Company for the past 6 years.”

2. Tell Your Personal Tagline

A tagline is a catchphrase that tells the audience about the value/service you create for the customers. 

Just like big brands create a tagline to increase their product awareness,  you can use this idea to highlight your strength and passion in a single statement. Craft a personal tagline that is catchy, precise, memorable, and customer-oriented.

Here are some tips on how to create a personal tagline for yourself.

• Do a self-assessment and identify your strengths and achievements.
• Assess your skills, values, and passion.

Now brainstorm the above points and jot down the words that best describe you.  Choose the main keyword and phrase a catchy one-liner around that keyword. Don’t forget to keep it short. 

3. A Punchy Elevator Pitch

Sharing your unique strengths, key skills, and abilities all in one go is quite a challenge. An elevator pitch is one of the best ways to connect with a new audience and communicate the value you can create for them. An elevator pitch is a short description of who you are and what you do within a time span of 30 seconds or less. 

While writing an elevator pitch, be sure to keep it goal-oriented and add a hook to reel the audience’s attention in a jiffy.

4. Share a Less-Known Fact About Yourself

Find out what makes you stand out from the crowd. Highlight your unique work experience.

For example, you can share with the audience that “In my job, I have had the opportunity to work with several kinds of people. This allowed me to understand different work styles. And, with time, I have gained amazing leadership and team-building skills. In the past 2 years, I have successfully completed XYZ number of projects.”

5. Tell a Quote that Best Describes You

Quotes are a powerful way of expressing your strongest persona. Using them in your self-introduction can help you connect quickly with a larger audience.

For example, you can begin with any of these quotes and then explain how this quote best reflects your personality.

“You are what you think.”

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” – John C. Maxwell, American author

6. Highlight Your Expertise that is Applicable to the Audience

The skills that you share should be audience-focused. Hence, you need to be very clear about what your audience wants from your presentation beforehand. Share your key credentials that can build a good rapport with your listeners.

7. Share Similarities

Shared interests contribute to the formation of new networks. When you share your interests and similarities with other people in a presentation, it engages the audience till the last minute. Also, it encourages more participation and conversation, which results in the ultimate success of the presentation.

8. Tell a Story

Starting off a presentation with a short personal story takes your audience on a journey that you have traveled. It reveals the passion for your work, the struggles you faced, and how you dealt with the challenges. But before you jumpstart on storytelling, you must know the audience’s pain points. It will evoke empathy and build trust because they will be able to easily relate to your story.

Some Quick Tips 

• Don’t brag while talking about yourself.
• Thoughtfully organize and rehearse your self-introduction.
• Know your audience, their pain points, and interests. Create your self-introduction based on that information.
• Be authentic while sharing any facts about yourself.
• Use a conversational tone while speaking to establish a quick connection with your audience. 

To Conclude

Introducing yourself is itself a nerve-wracking task. And, if you have to give a speech in front of an unfamiliar group, it may break you out in a cold sweat. The whole point of self-introduction is to make your audience familiar with you and make them understand why it is worth it for them to stay and listen. Starting your presentation with a well-prepared, engaging, and powerful self-introduction can help you build a relationship of trust with your listeners from the very first moment. 

For a more impactful self-introduction, you can use pre-designed PowerPoint templates and let your personality shine through creative slides.

Follow the above-mentioned ways outlined in this blog and make a mark while introducing yourself in the next presentation.

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Simple steps to create effective business presentations , 9 types of presentations you should know (with examples), 10 tips to start your presentation impressively, leave a reply cancel reply.

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Last Updated: October 4, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 126,898 times.

Introducing yourself in a presentation is more than just saying your name. It’s an opportunity for you to share relevant details about yourself and connect with your audience. It also sets the tone for the rest of the talk. How you introduce yourself will influence how your audience receives the message you want to get across. Make your next introduction flawless by presenting the most engaging information about yourself. Be sure to prepare the introduction in advance and start with an attention-grabbing technique to connect to the audience.

Including Relevant Information in Your Introduction

• If you have an unusual or difficult to pronounce name, you may want to add a small remark to help your audience remember it. For example, you can say “My name is Jacob Misen, like ‘risen’ but with an M.”
• Try to make eye contact with parts of audience during your presentation as well. [1] X Research source

• If you are VP of Marketing at a large company, it can actually be much more effective to say something like “I have more than a decade of experience using Facebook marketing ads to target clients in the dance industry” rather than simply stating your job title.

• You can also specifically refer your audience to the handout or powerpoint for more information. For example, if you want to let them know that you have articles in many international newspapers but you don’t want to list them all out, simply say “I’ve written for a number of internationally recognized news organizations. You can find the full list on the first page of my handout.”

• For example, you could say “when I designed a website for Richard Branson last year …” to inform your audience that you have an impressive resume, without having to list it all for them in your introduction.

• Try concluding your introduction by mentioning a client or project you were working on that directly relates to the topic of your presentation. For example: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with NXP Semiconductors for the past three years. Just last week we encountered a problem with our logistical database...” and then lead into your presentation about a new software that will solve everyone’s logistical hiccups.

Grabbing Your Audience’s Attention Before Your Introduction

• If you don’t have music that can tie to your presentation, you can use a song with the theme of beginning. For example, if you are presenting at a sales meeting, play some soft jazz as participants enter. Then, when it’s time for you to start, play the Black Eyed Peas chorus of “Let’s Get it Started” to get your audience’s attention. You can then open with an energetic “Good morning!” or “Good Afternoon” as the music ends.
• Remember to choose music that’s appropriate to the event. An academic conference may not be the best place for pop music, for example (unless you are presenting research on pop music, of course).

• For example, if you are presenting on the design of a new user-friendly coffee machine, you may start your presentation by referencing Elon Musk: “Any product that needs a manual to work is broken,” and then go on to say “My name is Laurie Higgens, and my coffee machine doesn’t come with a manual.” Speak briefly about your relevant experience and qualifications, and then dive into presenting your design.
• Avoid cliche or overused motivational quotes the audience has probably already heard many times.
• Be sure to correctly cite your quote.

• For example, you might start with “According to Time magazine, Americans filled 4.3 billion prescriptions and doled out $374 billion on medicine in 2014.” Then, introduce yourself and your qualifications in medical research and transition into a presentation about how to prevent doctors from over prescribing medication to their patients.
• Remember to cite the source of your statistics. You will look more professional and reliable, and the audience will be able to follow up on the information if they wish.

• If you are giving a presentation about a new airport security-friendly travel bag, try starting your presentation with “How many of you have ever stood in line at airport security and nearly missed your flight?”
• You can also invite your audience to close their eyes and imagine something as you lead up to your question.
• Don’t be discouraged if your audience doesn’t raise their hands when you ask a question. Sometimes these questions seem more rhetorical to an audience, or maybe they are just shy. You can often see signs that they are still engaging with the question if people are nodding or smiling after you ask it.

• Try telling stories, showing pictures on a powerpoint, or using quotations.
• Being funny not only puts your audience at ease, but it also helps them remember you after the presentation. [10] X Research source

• For example, if you are making a presentation about a pizza delivery app, ask your audience members to tell their name, their favorite pizza topping, and a situation where they’ve had a particularly amazing or awful experience with food delivery.

Preparing Before Your Presentation

• When it’s time to present, it’s probably best to just write down a few notes or key words to remind you of what you want to say so you don’t just read off your note cards.
• Think about your overall intention as a speaker. Are you trying to educate, enlighten, or entertain the audience? Figure out the effect you want to have on the listener so your presentation is impactful.

• If you don’t have a friend to watch your presentation, record yourself on video and play it back later to refine your presentation skills. It can be uncomfortable to watch yourself on video, but it will help you nail your introduction. You can even record your whole presentation. Keep recording and re-recording until you are happy with it. Then you know the audience will be happy too.

• The best resource to learn about the local culture is the locals themselves. If you have a contact where you will be speaking, ask them about customs, dress code, and how humor is usually received. If you don’t know anyone personally, try searching in industry-specific online forums. Find YouTube videos of presentations given in the area that are relevant to your industry.

What Is The Best Way To Start a Presentation?

Expert Q&A

• Don’t spend too much time introducing yourself. Your introduction should be short and to the point so you can get on to your main presentation material. Depending on the length of your presentation, your introduction should be between 20 seconds and 2 minutes long. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/eye_contact_tips_to_make_your_presentations_stronger
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/introduce-yourself-professionally
• ↑ https://www.washington.edu/doit/presentation-tips-0
• ↑ https://www.gvsu.edu/ours/oral-presentation-tips-30.htm
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/27/15-hacks-for-making-your-presentation-more-creative-and-engaging/
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-engage-your-audience-and-keep-them-with-you
• ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/make-em-laugh-ten-tips-using-humor-presentations-judy-romano-mba?trk=portfolio_article-card_title
• ↑ https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislative-staff/legislative-staff-coordinating-committee/tips-for-making-effective-powerpoint-presentations.aspx
• ↑ https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/19102/22119
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjwalker/2011/06/07/should-i-rehearse-and-for-how-long-presentation-training/

About This Article

To introduce yourself at the start of your presentation, all you need to do is state your name and tell the audience any relevant experience or skills you have. For example, say something like, “My name is Jacob Misen, and I have over a decade of experience using Facebook marketing ads in the dance industry.” If you have a broad range of relevant experience, you can bullet point a few examples on your opening slide instead of reading them out. Once you’ve introduced yourself, smoothly transition into your presentation. For instance, you can mention a client or project you’ve recently worked on that relates to the topic of your presentation. For more tips, including how to practice your presentation, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation: Guide to a Killer Opener

Hrideep barot.

• Body Language & Delivery , Speech Writing

Not sure how to introduce yourself in a presentation? Hang on till the end of this article.

Giving a presentation can be unnerving. And introducing yourself can be nerve-wracking.

But, without a fitting introduction, you would just be hitting the dart in a dark room.

The usual “Good Morning! I’m Neil, and I work as a Designer at…” is boring and doesn’t cut the ice anymore.

So, how to Introduce yourself in a presentation or start with a killer opener?

Introducing yourself in a presentation is pitching yourself to the audience so they stick around for the rest of your talk. Include your background, your unique trait, and who you are while sticking to the context in the first 30-60 seconds of your introduction.

Your introduction should be effective and have an interesting hook. You’ve got to nail your introduction in one shot.

A make or break moment indeed.

But, fret not! We’ve outlined what to say before starting a presentation to help get your next presentation right.

Occasions Where you Might Have to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

Here is what to say to start a presentation on some of the occasions where you would have to introduce yourself before the presentation.

Though the principle focus will be about yourself, tweaking your intro to the context and the place is essential.

The self-introduction should be compelling enough to woo your audience to sit for the next couple of minutes.

1.How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Environment

Introducing yourself in your workplace can be rather common. But, it’s during business meetings and conferences where you need to stand out.

Every time you meet senior managers, introducing yourself with your name and job title doesn’t grab eyeballs anymore.

However, taking the first step matters. Here are certain scenarios where you might be called upon to introduce yourself in your workplace.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview Presentation

The “Tell me about yourself” in interviews is intimidating. If you’ve found alibi’s to every presentation in your school and college, it doesn’t work here anymore.

Prepare a short introduction about yourself and be interview-ready. Anytime someone hits you up with that question, you need to be able to answer it with the snap of a finger.

Here is an example of a self-intro during an interview.

“As a skilled designer, with two years of freelance experience, I’ve worked for clients with diverse needs. I’ve also designed brochures, magazines, logo , and packaging materials for my friend’s company. I’m confident that I can leverage my skills and bring in the best for your brand.

How to Introduce Yourself and Your Team in a presentation

Business meetings can be boring. But there are times where you might have to introduce yourself to a new co-worker or a senior leader.

As a team leader yourself, you might have to introduce yourself and your team to present on the performance of the company the previous month.

Presentation introduction ideas if you’re a marketing executive can be,

An increased conversion of 130%, that’s what our marketing team achieved last quarter making our campaign a massive success. The soldiers who made this possible are Ryan, who made sure the User Experience on our website was flawless. Sean who ensured seamless technical functioning, and Abby who is responsible for all the copies on our major assets. I’m John, who heads the marketing team and we want to take you through all the activities we actioned, the metrics we achieved, and the lessons we learned from our recent efforts.

In case you are giving a group presentation , you can check out this video to see how you can introduce different members of your group for seamless transitioning:

How to Introduce Yourself in a Conference Presentation

In a conference presentation, you’re expected to be a little formal. While you can adhere to that school of thought, don’t forget to story tell. That’s what hooks an audience! Here is an example of how to introduce yourself in a business conference:

“Today, I’m going to share a story of how someone with zero marketing skills and training made it to the top by creating massive revenue streams through online campaigns and paid advertising in just 6 months. If you’re passionate about digital marketing, this is for you. Stay tuned till the end for better insights.

If you’re presenting at a business conference, take a look at these 11 tips for presenting at a conference by Brian Campbell.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Pitch Presentation

Now, this is for entrepreneurs who are starting out. If you need investors to fund your start-up, you need to have a solid pitch.

 Let’s say, your product is AI-driven that alerts drivers who doze off while driving.

Talk about the benefits of it in a single sentence and highlight the downsides of dozing off while driving with stats and figures.

Check out this Crucial Public Speaking Tips for Startup Founders written by us that’ll help you nail your pitch.

Also, have a look at this video below. In this, Josh Light introduces himself in just two simple sentences and moves on to talk about his start-up. It is simple yet effective.

How to Introduce Yourself in Client Presentation

If you’re a freelancer, talking to clients can be a daunting task.

Let’s say you’re an engineer turned copywriter. That’s an interesting combo out there, and if you put it out in a way you write your copy, it would benefit you to a whole another level.

“I’m an experienced travel copywriter and I’ve written ad copies, sales pages, newsletters, landing pages for some of the top travel brands. I have over 5 years of expertise in this niche. One of my landing page copy at XYZ converted 50% of eyeballs into leads thus scaling up revenue drastically and I’m here to do the same if you see me fit after this call.”

2 . How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation as a Student

Are you that kid/student who always shied away from giving presentations? Did you always come up with excuses and ended up giving barely one or two presentations your whole school life?

Yes? Well, it’s time to come out of your cocoon as it won’t work out that way in college or at work.

Whether it’s a small project presentation or giving a speech in your English class, here is how you can introduce yourself as a student.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Seminar Presentation

We’ve all been there. Hundreds of projects and assignments, be it school or college.

And that’s where you have to introduce yourself before jumping into your project. No matter how good your project, a solid introduction can put you ahead of the game.

“ As a tech enthusiast myself, I was intrigued by blockchain technology for a long time and today I have my project built using that very technology. I’m so excited to share with you all the working of this model and its benefits. Let’s jump right in.

It’s pretty easy and to-the-point. You need to be self-confident while saying those two lines and try to avoid fillers.

3. How to Introduce Yourself as a Trainer

As a trainer or teacher, your audience may be high-school students, undergrads, or even professionals.

Depending on the setting and the audience, you can craft your intro effectively and be of interest to the listeners.

How to Introduce Yourself to Students

As a teacher in a new school or college, introducing yourself is obligatory.

You can go about it this way if you’re a Moral Science teacher or Counselor:

“Hi everyone! I’m Alexandra. Call me Alex for short. We are going to have loads of fun for the next couple of months as I will be handling your Moral Science classes from today. If you are stuck in a dilemma or facing challenges, you can talk to me personally anytime and I’ll help you find a way out.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Workshop

Workshops are where you learn about a subject.  What if you’re the one who is conducting the workshop or needs to fill in for your friend for a couple of minutes, you need to introduce yourself.

 If you’re an Economics Graduate who is conducting a Calligraphy workshop, your presentation starting words can be something like,

  “Back when I was a kid, I used to scribble down letters I saw on posters and fell in love with the notion of lettering and calligraphy. I wanted to get into design, but I thought it was a fleeting moment and took Economics. Little did I know how much it meant to me. I finally figured what to do in life, and here I’m helping and teaching you to do what you love after years of learning and unlearning.”

How to Introduce Yourself in Training Sessions

Whether you’re a corporate trainer or getting into training students after years of experience, introducing yourself never gets old.

You can emphasize your past experiences in the form of a story or start with how it was when you worked with one of the top clients in the industry.

Below is an example to give you a precise picture.

“How excited are you to get your first gig? I’ve been a freelance writer for over a decade now. And freelancing is one of the best jobs as it gives you financial freedom and lets you work from the comforts of your couch or at your favorite café. So, I’m here to teach you to do the exact same thing and help you find your passion.”

5 . How to Introduce Yourself in a Video Presentation

Virtual presentations are a thing right now. If you’re a camera conscious person, you might have a hard time giving a presentation.

Dressing well and looking at the camera and not the screen can help present better. And always, look into the camera and not the screen when it comes to virtual presentations.

No matter how tensed you are, do not reflect it on your face. Have a bottle of water beside you to buy time and calm your nerves.

Here are two possible situations where you might have to introduce yourself virtually. 

How to Introduce Yourself in Webinars

Webinars are ever-increasing and if your introduction is not crisp and strong enough, building an online presence can be challenging.

Here is how you can introduce yourself in a webinar:

“ Hi, guys and welcome to this long-awaited session. How excited are you all? I know I am! We’re live and will be having John in a while. I’m so thrilled to see hundreds of you all attending this webinar live. It’s going to be a great session. I’m Patrick and the head of Marketing at XYZ. We started this webinar series two months ago and received phenomenal feedback from you all. And that’s why we’re back again with another one. Thank you and welcome again! Hope you find this session valuable.”

How to Introduce Yourself in a Virtual Presentation

Now, this is for freshers whose onboarding is going virtual. Whether it’s training sessions, virtual presentations, or virtual meetings, you are asked to introduce yourself to every manager and executive multiple times in a day.

Hey everyone! I’ve always loved meeting new people and though this is virtual now, just so thrilled to see you all on screen. If you see a new face popping on your screen during meetings and conferences, that’s me, John the new joinee. Can’t wait to meet you all in-person. Excited to jump-start my career here.

You can also check out this video we made to know certain ninja hacks to engage a virtual audience:

Related Article: All You Need To Know About Presenting Remotely

How to Structure an Intro – How to Start and End

• Add a Compelling Hook

You can begin your speech with a fact or a question to pique curiosity of your audience.

• A Brief Overview about Yourself

In those initial few seconds, greet the audience and talk about your strength or any unique trait in a word or two.

You can mention your achievements or contributions before talking about your background.

• A Quick history or Timeline of your Career/Education

In any context, a brief background or history about yourself should be talked about to let your audience know a little more about you.

It helps them gain trust and reliability.

• Smooth transition to the main topic

You shouldn’t abruptly move to the heart of your speech post introduction. There should be a subtle transition to make it effective.

Here is a presentation introduction example,

“Would you believe if I told you that you could reach 15k+ people on LinkedIn in just 30 days? No? Stick around for the next 7 minutes as I’m going to teach you all about it so you can get started as a rookie with zero connections.” Hi everyone! I’m XYZ – a Linked Growth Hacker. I’ve been helping businesses grow and build a strong personal brand for five years now. If you’re wondering how to generate leads on LinkedIn, take note of the pointers I’ll be sharing with you today.”

Magic ingredients to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

You’ve got to nail your introduction no matter where you give the presentation.

You need to learn the art of introducing yourself because that’s the one thing you’ll be asked everywhere when you meet new people.

Introducing yourself is like marketing yourself. A stellar introduction can make a difference.

Here are some surefire ways to stand out in a crowd with your introduction.

With practice, your self-introduction will improve over time if you follow these tips. 

1 . Brevity is Key

We all know this by now. No matter how many years of experience you have or how much you’ve contributed to the team, your introduction should be short yet powerful.

With an impressive introduction about yourself, your audience will be keen on listening to you more. 

2 . Talk about Your Contribution

Instead of starting with your name and your job title, craft a story about the time you have to strive hard to achieve a goal be it personal or professional.

Speak about your contribution subtly without coming off as someone narcissistic. Unfold the little moments and share them with the audience.

Ensure it is related to your speech. Don’t go off course.  

3 . Understand Where You Are

The place where you present matters though it is about you. You need to research about the people, the place and craft an introduction aligning with it.

Keep it relatable. Get the audience to be on track with you. Keep your message clear and introduce it in a way it is memorable. 

4. Be as Real as Possible

Since you are introducing yourself, be as real as possible.

No, you don’t have to be extremely personal, but you can keep it minimal and include a common ground so that the audience can resonate with you.

5. A Smooth Transition is Essential

Transitioning from your intro to the main speech needs to be done right to keep the flow going.

Craft an intro and shift to the main topic without a pause after the introduction.

6. Create a Hook

Creating a hook is essential no matter the setting you’re introducing yourself in.

You need to grab the attention of the audience with your first sentence. You can quickly introduce yourself in a few sentences without taking much time.

Begin with a question or an interesting fact to hook the listeners every time you introduce yourself.

Want some inspiration? Here is a very practical video we have made on different opening lines from some of the most powerful speeches. Hopefully, it will get your creative juices flowing for what your hook should be:

Level up your public speaking in 15 minutes!

Get the exclusive Masterclass video delivered to your inbox to see immediate speaking results.

The Masterclass video is on its way to your inbox.

Concluding Thoughts

Introducing yourself in a presentation can be stressful. You won’t get it right on your first. Nope. Not on your third attempt.

Heck! Not even on your sixth introduction too.

But, here’s the thing.

You need to keep sailing and believe in yourself. That’s what can make you better.

If you want to evolve as an individual, learning how to introduce yourself can immensely contribute to your professional and personal growth.

Push your boundaries and cross your personal threshold. You will get there one day. And introducing yourself will no longer be a daunting task.

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker

Less is More! Tips to Avoid Overwhelming Your Audience 

What does it mean to Resonate with the Audience- Agreement, Acceptance, Approval

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27 Examples of Self Introduction in English For Great First Impression – Introduce Yourself In English

Telling someone about yourself can be tricky if you’re not sure how to go about it, but when you’re in an interview or at the start of your first day on the job, giving someone an overview of your previous work and education experience isn’t only necessary – it shows that you’re excited to be there and prepared to work hard.

Here are some examples of self introduction in English that you can use to introduce yourself.

You can check the video to learn more..

Self Introduction in English Examples

Example 1: 

Hello, my name is [name] and I am writing to introduce myself. My interests include photography, art, and music. I enjoy making things out of clay and woodworking.

I am a native of the United States and have been here for over 20 years now. I grew up in [city] where I attended school. After high school, I moved to [state] where I went to college at [school name].

During college, it was not easy for me to make friends because I was shy and quiet. It wasn’t until after college when I started working at [job title], that my relationships with others changed for the better. At work, I was able to open up more as well as learn how to communicate better with others by using body language and tone of voice rather than words alone. This resulted in me being promoted from a part-time employee into an assistant manager position within two years of working there full-time!

Hello, I’m [first name], and I’m a writer.

I’ve been writing for a while now, and it’s become an integral part of my life. My passion for writing started when I was in elementary school. I got a pen and paper and wrote down everything that popped into my head—I couldn’t stop!

As my writing skills improved, so did my confidence as a writer. At first, people thought I was just a kid with a lot of energy; but now they see that writing is more than just something fun to do—it’s something that makes me happy, and gives me clarity on what I want out of life, and helps me make sense of the world around me.

So if you’re interested in hiring me as your writer or if you have any questions about what it’s like to work with me, please feel free to reach out!

Hi, I’m [name] and I work at [company] as a [job title]!

I’m a recent college graduate and have been working in customer service for the past six months. I’m looking for opportunities to learn more about the customer service field and grow my skills to take on more challenging roles.

[Company name] provides the best customer service in the world, and I am excited to join such an amazing team.

Self Introduction Paragraph Examples

My name is [name], and I’m a [type of person].

I love to [what you love to do].

When I’m not working or doing what I love, my friends and family are the most important thing in my life. They mean the world to me. When they’re around, I feel like everything is possible.

I’m currently in my final year of university, and it’s been one of the most amazing years of my life so far. I’ve learned so much about myself and how to be a better person, which has made me feel more confident than ever before.

Hi! I’m [name] and I’m so excited to meet you all.

I’m a passionate, driven person who wants to do my part to make the world a better place. That’s why I’m here at [company name].

I’ve got a lot of experience working in customer service, but I also have a passion for helping people find their best path forward when they’re faced with challenges. And that’s what we’re working on at [company name]: finding those solutions for our clients so they can focus on what matters the most—their business.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you all!

• 3 Examples of Self Introduction to a Landlord
• 9 Examples of Self Introduction For Pharma Interview

Hi, my name is [name], and I’m here to tell you about my [job].

I’ve been working as a [job] for [number of years], and I love it. It’s an amazing job that allows me to do what I love most—make people happy!

My favorite part of my job is seeing how much happiness can be brought into someone’s life when they’re feeling down or stressed out. I know that by helping people feel better, we’re all better off as a community.

I also really enjoy meeting new people every day who need support in their journey through life. Being able to share what I know with them has helped me grow personally and professionally, so thank you for your support!

Self Introduction Speech Examples For Students

Hi, my name is [name], and I’m about to give you a self-introduction speech.

I’m going to tell you about myself in three parts: who I am, what I’ve done, and why I should be hired for this job.

First, let’s talk about who I am: I’m [age] years old. I’ve been working as a [job title] for [amount of time]. And I love it! It’s made me very good at what I do and keeps me busy all day long.

And now let’s talk about what I’ve done…

I started working at the company when they were just starting, and now they’re one of the top 10 companies in our industry. They’re growing so fast that there are times when we can’t keep up with hiring new people or training them properly. That’s where you come in—you’re going to help us hire some awesome new people who are ready to hit the ground running!

And finally, why should you hire me? Well… because if this were a movie script, there would be no way for me not to get hired by your company!

Hello, my name is [name] and I am a student at [school].

I am interested in pursuing a career in the field of [industry], and I would like to study [field] at [school].

My current job is working as a marketing assistant for [company], where I handle all the emails and calls from clients, as well as manage our social media accounts.

I have been working in this position for over three years now, and it has greatly improved my skillset in terms of customer relations and communication abilities. I would love to continue working for [company] after graduating from college with a degree in both marketing and business management.

Hello, my name is [name] and I’m a student at [school name].

I have always loved to learn and explore, so when I was in the 8th grade I started taking classes at my local college. Now, I have many different degrees from various programs and am heavily involved in the community at large.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, and friends and doing things that make me happy. One of those things is hiking!

Self Introduction Sample For Nurse Job Interview

Hi, I’m [name], and I hope to be the next one of you awesome nurses!

I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and am currently working as a nurse at [hospital name]. I’ve worked in many different areas, including ER, ICU, and medical-surgical. I love working with patients from all walks of life, but my favorite part is taking care of babies because they’re so sweet and innocent.

I also enjoy helping others learn about their health, whether it’s through patient education or offering advice on dieting or exercise.

Hello, I’m [name] and I’m a nurse. I’ve been in the industry for many years and have worked with many different kinds of patients. I am looking to move into a leadership position, preferably with a hospital or nursing home to manage more than one unit. I believe that the most important part of my job is making sure that my patients are comfortable in their care environment and feel safe at all times. I also enjoy working with other staff members because they can help me access different areas of expertise, which makes me a better nurse and leader.

I would love an opportunity to discuss how my experience could benefit your organization!

Hello, I’m [name] and I’m looking for a job as a nurse.

I’m a middle school student who loves to help people. I’ve had experience working at [hospital name] and [hospital name], where I helped children get better after they were injured.

I also love volunteering at the local animal shelter, where I’ve helped an elderly cat named [cat name]. The owner of the shelter said that she couldn’t find a home for her because she was old, but after working with her, I realized that she was still young at heart.

The hospital where I work now is great and everyone there is very nice, but it’s not the same as being able to help people. It’s hard for me to watch someone get hurt or sick on my shift—especially when there’s nothing that I can do about it—and I want something more for myself than just working in healthcare.

Self Introduction Speech Examples For School Students

Hello! My name is [name], and I’m here to introduce myself to the class.

I’m from [city] in [country]. I’ve been living in the United States for five years now, but I’ve been here for seven. I love this country, and I love being able to learn more about it every day.

In high school, I was a really good student—I got straight A’s all the time. But during my senior year, one of my teachers taught us how to write a speech about ourselves—and that’s when everything changed. Now when someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up, instead of saying “an accountant,” like everyone else says, I say “a teacher.”

So this is me: A teacher who has learned so many things since she started working with children at the age of 18. And now at age 32, she has even more knowledge than she did before!

Hello, my name is [name], and I’m a student at [school name].

I’m excited to be here today because I’ve been wanting to go to this school for a long time. My favorite subject is math, so it’s cool that there will be an opportunity for me to learn more about that.

I also love reading a lot of books and watching movies, so I think this is going to be a good fit for me.

My parents are very supportive of my dreams and help me whenever they can. They always make sure that I am doing what I want, so if you have any questions about anything related to school or your studies, feel free to ask them!

Hello, everyone! I’m [name], and I was just thinking about what to say.

I think that you’re all really smart and kind, and it’s a pleasure to meet you!

My name is [name] and I’m going to be taking your next test. Hopefully, we’ll get along well enough to make it interesting.

I’m here today because I want to talk about [topic]. It’s important to me because it affects my life every day, but also helps me think about things that are important in the world.

Self Introduction Speech Examples Public Speaking

I am a passionate person, who loves to learn and share knowledge with others. I believe that every person should be treated equally, no matter their gender, race, or religion.

I have always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. I have been working in the field for the last 6 years and it has become my passion now.

I have completed my MBA from St. Xavier’s College and I worked as an Assistant Manager in a reputed company for 4 years before joining here at [company name].

Hello, my name is [name] and I am a [job title]. I have been working as a [job title] for [number of years] and I have been enjoying every moment of it.

I have always had a passion for [job title], and it is truly an honor to be able to work with such amazing people.

I have been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented people in the world, including [famous person’s name], who has taught me so much about [job title].

I would like to thank you all for this opportunity because it has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has brought me closer to my family and allowed me to meet new people who share similar interests.

Hi, I’m [name], and I’m a professional speaker.

I’ve been giving speeches for over 10 years, and I love it.

My favorite part is being able to share what I know with other people engagingly. It’s also really fun to meet new people and hear their stories because then I can learn from them too!

I also like that people are usually surprised when they find out how much time goes into preparing for a speech—it’s not just about speaking fast or moving your mouth around—but about making it personal and interesting for your audience.

If you have any questions about anything related to public speaking, feel free to contact me at [email address].

Self Introduction Sample For Hr Interview

Hello, I’m [name], a junior HR professional at [company name]. I’m interested in the position of HR Manager, and I’m here today because I think you’re the right person for it.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and a Master’s degree in Personnel Management, both from [school name]. My interests include [interests], which are things like [things], which are things like [things].

In my spare time, I enjoy watching sports on TV and playing volleyball with friends at the local park.

Hello, I’m [name] and I’m a [position] at [company name]. I love to work hard, which is why I’m so excited to be here.

I’ve been working with [company name] for years now, and it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve been able to learn so much about myself and the company in that time.

I’d love to talk more about my experience with you! Please feel free to reach out if you’d like any additional details or want me to send you anything from HR.

Hello! I’m [name], and I would be happy to answer any questions you have about my qualifications for this position.

I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, but I’ve also spent the past six years working as a software engineer. In my current role, I’m responsible for building, maintaining, and improving our software products.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with engineers from all over the world who have taught me how to problem-solve creatively and work well with others. My experience with developers at [company name] has given me an understanding of what it takes to build quality products that meet our customers’ needs.

The skills listed on my resume are just a small representation of the competencies that make me a great fit for this position:

– Able to build robust, scalable systems that meet customer needs and respond quickly to change

– Able to communicate effectively with other team members

Self Introduction Examples For Experienced Software Engineers

Hello, I am [name], and I am an experienced software engineer.

My specialty is in creating high-quality, well-tested code that solves business problems for my clients. I have been working with them for about five years, and have also worked as a freelance software engineer for several other companies during that time.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from [school name]. After graduating, I worked as a software developer at [company name] for two years. During this time, I learned how to contribute my skills to the company by making contributions within the company’s code base. After working at [company name], I decided to pursue a career as a freelancer and started freelancing immediately.

As a freelancer, my primary focus has been working on projects related to building web applications using mostly JavaScript-based technologies such as HTML5+CSS3/SASS/LESS/JAVASCRIPT (JS) frameworks like ReactJS or VueJS, or NodeJS (server side). However, I have worked with the PHP framework (Laravel) on some projects too.

Hi! I’m [Name] and I’m a software engineer at [company name]. I’ve been working in this industry for six years now, and it’s always been my dream to be in the field. When I graduated from college, I started working as a developer at one of the country’s largest consulting firms. After two years there, I decided to move on and pursue my dream of being a software engineer—and here I am today!

I love what I do because it allows me to work on some cool projects. One of my favorite parts of being a software engineer is working with clients and helping them improve their products. It’s also very rewarding when you see how your work helps people take control of their lives or businesses.

I am a software engineer with over 10 years of experience. I have worked on many different projects, including web development, mobile applications, and backend systems.

My strengths are in designing and implementing scalable solutions while maintaining high-quality standards. I am also very good at communicating my ideas effectively and creating solutions that meet the needs of my clients. I have worked in teams to develop solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

I would love to work on projects that allowed me to use my skills and knowledge to help solve real problems for people in our community.

Self Introduction Sample For Virtual Assistant

My name is [your name here]. I am the founder of [company name] and I have been a virtual assistant for 10 years.

I love helping people with their problems and helping them grow their businesses. I’m also a huge fan of dogs, serial killers, and the Harry Potter series.

Example 2: 

I’m [name], and I’m a virtual assistant and web developer based in [location].

I bring over 15 years of experience as a web developer, working with both small and large businesses, to assist you in getting your projects off the ground. Whether you need help building websites, or just need someone who can manage your social media, my background as a web developer will help me keep you informed, on track, and able to stay focused on your goals.

I have experience working with clients from all over the world and am always looking forward to helping others achieve their goals.

Example 3: 

Hello, I’m [name] and I’m a virtual assistant.

I’ve been working as a VA for over [years] now, and I love it! I work with people who are looking to get their business off the ground, or who just need some extra help around the house. My clients are always happy with my work.

In addition to being a VA, I’m also an avid reader and writer. I enjoy helping others in any way that I can—whether it’s by offering advice or helping them write their copy for landing pages or emails.

I’ve worked on projects ranging from simple blog posts to complex web applications (both front-end and back-end), so whatever your project requires, you’ll find me very capable of handling it.

Related Questions:

Can an introduction be one sentence.

Yes. Just give your name and then your question. There is no reason to list all your credentials first. That’s boring and drawn out. You should know about the community that you’re applying for. You don’t need to list the fact you are a school teacher, that you have a degree in English, that you have a spouse and 2 kids. All of that stuff is irrelevant when it comes to what you want to know, and you’re just wasting space.

Can Introduction Be Two Paragraphs?

Yes. The introduction is a paragraph. That’s the whole rule. With that said, it can be two paragraphs, it can be ten paragraphs, and it can be a page. The length of your introduction is dependent on several factors: who you are writing for, how much time you have to write, how detailed you want to get, and how much detail your reader can absorb.

With that said, let’s take a look at a few examples of great introductions: 1. This is the best, most concise introduction I’ve ever read. Not only is the information short and sweet, but it gets right to the point and shows exactly what the reader has to do, and why it’s important.

The Verdict: Self Introduction Examples

Choose a template that you like, edit it and make it your own. When you’re done, add your photos to the design. Present yourself to the world with these stunning, professional designs for your self introduction. And as always, please feel free to contact me if you have a question or would like to give feedback on this article.

Hi, I a Usmaan Ali, a content writer. I’ve always been passionate about writing and blogging. I hope you enjoy my blog posts as much as I enjoy writing it!

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How to Introduce Yourself For a Presentation | 6 Strategies for a Powerful Opening

Leah Nguyen • 08 April, 2024 • 9 min read

First impressions are everything in public speaking. Whether you’re presenting to a room of 5 people or 500, those first few moments set the stage for how your entire message will be received.

You only get one chance at a proper introduction, so it’s crucial to nail it.

We’ll cover the best tips on how to introduce yourself for a presentation . By the end, you’ll walk onto that stage with your head held high, ready to kick off an attention-grabbing presentation like a pro.

Table of Contents

#1. start the topic with an engaging hook, #2. set context around your topic, #3. keep it brief, #4. do the unexpected, #5. preview next steps, #6. perform mock talks, bottom line, frequently asked questions, tips for audience engagement.

• Stage Fright
• What Are The Facial Expressions?

Start in seconds.

Get free templates for your next interactive presentation. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

How to Introduce Yourself for a Presentation (+Examples)

Learn how to say “hi” in a way that leaves a lasting impact and your audience wanting more. The introduction spotlight is yours—now go grab it!

Pose an open-ended challenge related to your experience. "If you had to navigate X complex issue, how might you approach it? As someone who's dealt with this firsthand…"

Tease an accomplishment or detail about your background. "What many don't know about me is that I once…"

Relate a brief story from your career that shows your expertise. "There was a time early in my career when I…"

Pose a hypothetical and then relate from experience. "What would you do if faced with an upset customer like I was several years ago when…"

Refer to success metrics or positive feedback that proves your authority. "When I last delivered a presentation on this, 98% of attendees said they…"

Mention where you've been published or invited to speak. "…which is why organisations like [names] have asked me to share my insights on this topic."

Pose an open question and commit to answering it. "That leads me to something many of you may be wondering - how did I get so involved in this issue? Let me tell you my story…"

Sparking intrigue around your qualifications rather than just stating them will naturally draw the audience in through fun, engaging anecdotes .

For students:

• "As someone studying [subject] here at [school], I became fascinated with…"
• "For my final project in [class], I dove deeper into researching…"
• "Over the past year working on my undergraduate thesis about [topic], I discovered…"
• "When I took [professor's] class last semester, one issue we discussed really stood out to me…"

For professionals:

• "In my [number] years leading teams at [company], one challenge we continue to face is…"
• "During my tenure as [title] of [organisation], I've seen firsthand how [issue] impacts our work."
• "While consulting with [types of clients] on [topic], one common problem I've observed is…"
• "As the former [role] of [business/department], implementing strategies to address [issue] was a priority for us."
• "From my experience in both [roles] and [field], the key to success lies in understanding…"
• "In advising [client-type] on matters of [area of expertise], a frequent hurdle is navigating…"

Start by stating a problem or question that your presentation will address. "You've all likely experienced the frustration of...and that's what I'm here to discuss - how we can overcome..."

Share your key takeaway as a concise call to action. "When you leave here today, I want you to remember this one thing... because it will change the way you..."

Refer to a current event or industry trend to show relevance. "In light of [what's happening], understanding [topic] has never been more critical for success in..."

Relate your message to what matters most to them. "As [type of people they are], I know your top priority is... So I'll explain exactly how this can help you achieve..."

Tease an intriguing perspective. "While most people look at [issue] this way, I believe the opportunity lies in seeing it from this viewpoint..."

Connect their experience to future insights. "What you've faced so far will make so much more sense after exploring..."

The goal is to grab attention by painting a picture of what value they'll gain to ensure the context won't be missed.

When it comes to pre-show introductions, less is truly more. You've only got 30 seconds to make a blast of an impression before the real fun begins.

That may not sound like much time, but it's all you need to pique curiosity and get your story started off with a bang. Don't waste a single moment with filler - every word is an opportunity to enchant your audience.

Instead of droning on and on, consider surprising them with an intriguing quote or bold challenge related to who you are. Give just enough flavour to leave them craving seconds without spoiling the full meal to come.

Quality over quantity is the magic recipe here. Pack maximum impact into a minimum timeframe without missing a single delicious detail. Your introduction may only last 30 seconds, but it can spark a reaction to last all presentation long.

Forget a traditional "hi everyone...", hook the audience in right away by adding interactive elements to the presentation.

68% of people say that it’s easier to remember the information when the presentation is interactive.

You can start with an icebreaker poll asking everyone how they are feeling, or let them play a quiz to learn about yourself and the topic they're going to hear naturally.

Here's how interactive presentation software like AhaSlides can bring your introduction to a notch:

• AhaSlides has a plethora of slide types for your polling , quiz , Q&A , word cloud or open-ended question demands. Whether you're introducing yourself virtually or in person, the AhaSlides features are your best sidekicks to attract every eye to you!
• The results are shown live on the presenter's screen, grabbing the audience's focus with eye-catching designs.
• You can integrate AhaSlides with your common presentation software such as PowerPoint or interactive Google Slides with AhaSlides .

There are a few ways to show why your topic matters, such as:

Pose a burning question and promise the answer: "We've all asked ourselves at some point - how do you achieve X? Well, by the end of our time together I'll reveal the three essential steps."

Tease valuable takeaways: "When you leave here, I want you walking away with Y and Z tools in your back pocket. Get ready to level up your skills."

Frame it as a journey: "We'll discover a lot of things as we travel from A to B to C. By the end, your perspective will be transformed."

Introduce yourself in style with AhaSlides

Wow your audience with an interactive presentation about yourself. Let them know you better through quizzes, polling and Q&A!

Spark urgency: "We've only got an hour, so we have to move fast. I'll hustle us through sections 1 and 2 then you'll put what you learn into action with task 3."

Preview activities: "After the framework, be ready to roll up your sleeves during our hands-on exercise. Collaboration time starts…"

Promise a payoff: "When I first learned how to do X, it seemed impossible. But by the finish line, you'll say to yourself 'How did I live without this?'"

Keep them wondering: "Each stop delivers more clues until the big reveal awaits you at the end. Who's ready for the solution?"

Let the audience see your flow as an exciting progression beyond an ordinary outline. But don't promise air, bring something tangible to the table.

Presentation perfection requires plenty of playtime before showtime. Run through your intro like you're on stage - no half-speed rehearsing allowed!

Record yourself to get real-time feedback. Watching playback is the only way to spot any awkward pauses or filler phrasing begging for the chopping block.

Read your script to a mirror to eyeball presence and charisma. Does your body language bring it home? Amp up appeals through all your senses for total captivation.

Rehearse off-book until your intro floats to the surface of your mind like breathwork. internalise it so you shine without flashcards as a crutch.

Perform mock talks for family, friends or furry judges. No stage is too small when you're perfecting your part to sparkle.

💡 Know more: How to introduce yourself like a Pro

And there you have it - the secrets to Rocking. Your. Intro. No matter the size of your audience, these tips will have all eyes and ears hooked in a snap.

But remember, practice isn't just for perfection - it's for confidence. Own those 30 seconds like the superstar you are. Believe in yourself and your value, because they'll believe right back.

How do you introduce yourself before a presentation?

Start with the basic information like your name, title/position, and organisation before introducing the topic and outline.

What do you say to introduce yourself in a presentation?

A balanced example introduction may be: "Good morning, my name is [Your Name] and I work as a [Your Role]. Today I'll be talking about [Topic] and by the end, I hope to give you [Objective 1], [Objective 2] and [Objective 3] to help with [Topic Context]. We'll start with [Section 1], then [Section 2] before wrapping up with [Conclusion]. Thank you for being here, let's get started!"

How to introduce yourself in a class presentation as a student?

Key things to cover in a class presentation are name, major, topic, objectives, structure and a call for audience participation/questions.

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

More from AhaSlides

A Guide to Creating the Perfect Self-Introduction Slide

Imagine that you need to deliver a presentation to an audience you’ve never seen before. This could include people from diverse backgrounds, such as experts as well as amateurs. You step on the stage and feel blue as these viewers look completely blank because they have no idea of who you are. Thus, the first thing that you need to do is acquaint them with you and explain what brings you here. Even though this sounds simple, the question is, how can you introduce yourself in a manner that would mesmerize the audience and leave a positive impact on them?

Well, a solution to this is commencing your presentations with self-introduction slides . These slides talk about your background, experience, and qualifications and inform the audience with all necessary details. In today’s digital age, these slides have become an essential tool for personal branding, networking, and professional presentations. Whether you’re a student, job seeker, entrepreneur, or public speaker, a good self-introduction slide can open doors of opportunities for you.

However, creating these slides perfectly can be quite nerve-racking. If not done properly, it can give you cold feet. Thus, this article is a complete guide on how to design and deliver compelling self-introductions with examples to inspire and guide you through the process.

Understanding the Purpose of a Self-Introduction Slide

Before embarking on the design process, it is crucial to understand the purpose of your slide. It will largely depend on the context in which you plan to utilize it, whether a job interview, a networking event, or a webinar. This way, you can effectively structure and tailor the content to your audience’s needs.

For instance, while creating a self-introduction slide for a job interview, your objective would be to showcase your educational qualifications, skills, and experiences concisely and impactfully. Here, the focus will be on proving how you would be a good fit for the job and highlighting the values you could bring to the organization.

However, if you are a team lead and preparing slides for a team briefing, the purpose and content will differ from a job interview. In this case, the key aim is to provide an overview of your work profile, expertise, and previous accomplishments as a leader.

Let us take you through various tips and tricks that will enable you to make stunning slides.

Giving your presentation a stunning visual appearance seems like a piece of cake, isn’t it? But right after you create your first slide, your mind goes through all these unfathomable questions, such as, is the slide too cluttered, or is it neat and tidy? Do the fonts match the background? Are the visuals too distracting, or do they blend well with each other?

Thus, here are some design tips that will help you answer such questions and allow you to create stunning slides .

1. Keep it Simple and Minimal

Simplicity and professionalism should be your guiding principles when designing a self-introduction slide. A clean and minimalistic layout helps create a sense of space and clarity. It gives the audience a proper perspective of who you are and restricts them from getting overwhelmed with excess information. 

Remove any unnecessary visuals and text, as they may distract the audience and make them uninterested. Instead, pick a background with a solid or light-textured hue, avoid flashy animations and graphics, and refrain from adding too many elements onto a single slide.

This will ensure that your design exudes professionalism and conveys a sense of organization and attention to detail. It will also enhance readability and comprehension.

For instance, let us look at this slide which is set in a neutral tone with no clutter and is exceptionally tidy and organized. The moment you watch it, it reflects clarity and coherence.

2. Focus on Fonts – Clarity, Pairing, and Size

Fonts can create all the difference in design- they can make and even break your presentations. Thus, it is necessary to choose lucid and easy-to-read typographies. They should be clear, even for the audience sitting at the back.

While picking fonts, make sure not to select the ones with intricate details and overly decorated, as they may be inaccessible and inconvenient. Instead, choose designs that are evenly spaced and neatly arranged.

It is also important to pay heed to the size and hierarchy of fonts to create a flawless slide- make your headings the largest, followed by subheadings, paragraphs, etc. This way, you can guide your audience through multiple steps with the help of font hierarchy.

Another crucial factor is to ensure that all your texts pair well with each other and come together properly. This can be done by picking fonts from similar families, as when they are put together, they uplift the look of the slide and notch up the presentation. Let us understand with the example below, where multiple texts are structured in fonts of the same family and blend perfectly well with each other. 

3. Maintain Consistency with a Brand Palette

One of the most crucial elements of a successful presentation is its brand palette and slide consistency. When it comes to introducing yourself, you must focus on incorporating your personal or organization’s style into your slides.

You can do this by selecting a color palette that aligns with your brand or the occasion. Use these hues consistently throughout the slide, including for text, backgrounds, and graphical elements. Consistent color choices not only create visual harmony but also reinforce the intended tone of your presentation.

When your self-introduction slide is consistent in its use of tints, fonts, and visual elements, it creates a cohesive and unified impression. This consistency helps the audience associate your personal brand or the presentation’s theme with the visuals they see, making it more memorable and impactful.

Let us understand with the help of an example. In the visual below, being a creative designer, you might like to use colors that pop out and seem more fun and interactive. This would resonate more with your audience and convey your style in the blink of an eye. However, there may be better options for other professionals, and thus every individual must pick their own set of colors that would cater to their needs and portray their values.

4. Use High-Quality Images and Visuals .

Visuals such as images, icons, or charts can enhance the impact of your slide and make it more appealing. When selecting visuals, it is crucial to choose high-quality images that are relevant to you and the content you are presenting. 

For instance, if you are an entrepreneur in the fitness industry, consider incorporating visuals that go well with your field. You could include images of individuals engaging in healthy lifestyle activities, such as jogging, weightlifting, or practicing yoga. Additionally, including pictures of fitness equipment or healthy meals can further reinforce your expertise and passion for the industry.

Furthermore, icons or infographics can be effective in conveying information in a visually engaging manner. For example, using icons to represent different skills or areas of expertise can add visual interest and help your audience grasp key points quickly.

By thoughtfully incorporating relevant visuals, you can make your self-introduction slide more captivating and make an indelible mark on your audience.

5. Use Expert-Designed Slides to Ease the Task

Crafting slides from scratch can be quite burdensome and tiring. It can sap away most of your energy and waste much of your precious time in making the presentation rather than on other important tasks.

Thus, you can harness the power of expert-designed self intro slides  that come in an array of designs and variety and offer complete customization. These slides can be easily added to your existing presentation and tailored according to your needs- you can change the color, font, sizes, etc.

The Delivery 

Now that you have mastered the design, it is time to focus on skillfully preparing for the delivery. It doesn’t matter if your slide looks stunning; until and unless you deliver it with sheer confidence and unwavering courage, you might lose on the impact of the presentation. 

To make sure that you deliver the presentation effectively, here are some delivery tips that you can follow.

1. Start Strong: Commence with a Bold Heading

The headline of your self-introduction slide holds significant importance as it sets the tone for your presentation and gets your audience on their toes. It should be concise, engaging, and absolutely mind blowing, as this is an opportunity to showcase your unique selling point and pique curiosity about what you have to offer.

For instance, imagine you are an aspiring web developer who wants to communicate your expertise. You can begin with a headline such as “Generating Innovative Digital Experiences: Web Developer with a Passion for User-Centric Design.” This succinctly communicates your area of expertise and highlights your commitment to creating exceptional user experiences through your work.

Incorporating a tagline or a memorable phrase can further enhance your introduction and make it more impactful. Think about what sets you apart from others in your field and encapsulate it captivatingly.

Let us understand with the help of another example. Consider you are a marketing analyst and want to attract clients. You can open by saying, “Empowering Businesses with Data-Driven Insights: Marketing Analyst Driving Strategic Growth.” This emphasizes your ability to leverage data to deliver valuable insights and drive strategic growth for businesses.

When writing your headline, consider using strong, action-oriented language highlighting your key skills, experience, or unique perspective. It should resonate with your brand and align with the purpose of your self-introduction.

Remember, the headline of your self-introduction slide is your opportunity to make a compelling first impression and generate interest in your presentation. By crafting a concise, engaging, and brand-aligned headline, you can capture your audience’s attention and create anticipation for what you have to offer.

2. Be Selective with Personal Information

While it is important to create an emotional connection with the audience, make sure that you do not overshare personal information or delve deep into unnecessary details.

Keep your information short and brief- provide an overview of your personal background, including your name, current role or occupation, educational qualifications, and any other relevant information that helps establish your credibility. Talk about yourself, hobbies, linguistic skills, professional achievements, etc. Avoid sharing excessive details and focus on what is most important for your audience to know.

3. Speak with Confidence

When introducing yourself, the most important factor is to project confidence and convey a strong presence. 

Make sure that you maintain a strong posture that exudes confidence and brilliance- stand tall or sit upright, keep your head held high, and do not lean or slouch. With good body language, you can appear more assertive and self-assured.

You must also speak clearly at a desired pace. Avoid rushing in or mumbling through the words, as it reflects poor stature and diminishes your value. Thus, practice enunciating words, phrases, and sentences and use proper pronunciation to convey conviction.

A well-designed self-introduction slide can be a powerful tool to ensure that your audience can resonate with and remember your content for a long time. By following the steps outlined in this guide and drawing inspiration from the provided examples, you can create an impactful and professional slide that effectively communicates your personal brand, skills, and achievements. Remember to tailor your content to the specific purpose and continuously refine it to reflect your evolving personal and professional journey.

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Introducing Myself

It seems that you like this template, introducing myself presentation, free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

You never know when a slideshow about yourself could come in handy. Be prepared and use this template to introduce yourself to the audience. Explain your work, your strengths, your personal goals, your values, whatever you can come up with! The slides are cool and contain lots of compositions where you can be creative. Green, the color of self-growth, is the main hue here!

Features of this template

• 100% editable and easy to modify
• 35 different slides to impress your audience
• Contains easy-to-edit graphics such as graphs, maps, tables, timelines and mockups
• Includes 500+ icons and Flaticon’s extension for customizing your slides
• Designed to be used in Google Slides, Canva, and Microsoft PowerPoint
• 16:9 widescreen format suitable for all types of screens
• Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the free resources used

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Top 10 Introducing Yourself Templates with Examples and Samples

Kavesh Malhotra

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra," Jimmy Johnson, American sports coach.

Jimmy Johnson's words perfectly fit when it comes to introducing yourself. A personal introduction is a part of almost every career option you pick today. How you introduce yourself can open or close the doors of opportunities for you. When you have a killer introduction, people will remember you. It sets the stage for more interactions, showcases your confidence, and helps others understand you better. 

Let's say you are pitching for funding for your business. But before you introduce your product in front of the investors, they would love to know where they are putting their money into. In such cases, an outstanding introduction gives you an opportunity to establish a killer rapport from the beginning. It adds credibility from the get-go. Similarly, if you are attending a networking event or attending a job interview, an impactful self-introduction goes a long way in boosting your chances for success.

At Slide Teaml, our experts have prepared self-introduction templates after much analysis and studying human psychology. These 100% content-ready templates are fully editable and give you the ability to present yourself in a much more impactful and creative way. Using these templates, you can transform your routine introduction into a powerful self-endorsement. 

Let's take a look at these templates one by one.

Template 1: Introduce Yourself PowerPoint Presentation Slides

This template acts as a powerful tool for creating a powerful personal introduction . It includes a wide range of slides that can help you express your strengths in a much more engaging and effective way. The slides include About Me, Career, SWOT Analysis , Qualifications, and more. Each slide is highlighted by engaging visual icons for milestones, skills, hobbies, and more. The attractive color palate makes the template even more indulging and ensures no one bats an eye when you are introducing yourself. This helps craft a powerful story that talks about your skills and prowesses. It's perfect for interviews and networking and can help create a strong and impactful first impression for yourself.

Download Now

Template 2: Introducing Yourself and Your Capabilities in a PowerPoint Presentation with Slides

This template can be an amazing tool to create a strong first impression in any professional setting. The multi-slide template lets you highlight your personal and professional qualities in a well-structured and powerful way. Its key elements, like a detailed About Me section, a Career Timeline, a Personal SWOT Analysis , and a vivid Personal Profile slide, touch upon every aspect of your self-introduction. The clean and clutter-free design, with its bold color accents and smart graphics, ensures that your strengths and potential are properly highlighted. This template is perfect for job interviews, networking events, and team introductions.

Template 3: 10 Minutes Presentation About Myself PowerPoint Presentation Slides

This template is specifically crafted for professionals who want to make a strong first impression in a brief interaction. It helps you build a powerful narrative about your career path, personal strengths, educational background, and professional accomplishments.

The vibrant green with dark hues helps grab attention, while perfectly organized content blocks ensure the information is digested properly by the audience. Some of the key slides, like the Career Timeline and SWOT Analysis slides, help present a crisp and dynamic view of your professional journey and personal analysis.

Template 4: Introducing Yourself, Employee Achievement, Team Member Candidate Skills

This is a perfect template if you want to shed some light on your individual strengths and team contributions. The sections like "Employee Achievement Timeline in Introducing Yourself" and "Essential Candidate Characteristics in Introducing Yourself"  could be a killer way to tell others about your abilities and yourself. The engaging visuals let you present your career progression, key qualifications, and notable achievements. It’s a perfectly balanced mix of imagery and icons that enhance recall and engagement. In short, this template is a great choice for job candidates and team members who want to showcase their skills as an individual and as a team member.

Template 5: Meeting New People and Introducing Yourself PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Meeting someone for the first time and want to nail the first impression? This template can get the job done! It's tailor-made for job seekers and professionals who are looking for growth in their careers. This template offers a structured layout to showcase one's career journey, skillset, and achievements. The 'About Me/Bio' slide allows for a personal touch, integrating an image with key personal details. 'Agenda' and 'Career Objective' slides lay out a crisp outline to showcase the presenter's goals. The template has a soothing color scheme and ensures readability and a professional aesthetic. Download now and create memorable information.

Template 6: SWOT Analysis

When introducing yourself, you have to present your strengths in front of your audience. But at the same time, you cannot go praising yourself from the start! Instead, a balanced approach goes a long way. And the best way to do so is to present a SWOT analysis of your own! That's where this template comes into play. It has color-coded quadrants that provide intuitive self-assessment for the views. The vibrant red color covers strengths, professional blue for weaknesses, growth-associated greens for opportunities, and cautionary greys for threats. Additionally, the magnifying glass symbolizes the focus and introspection you have done to prepare this analysis. 

Template 7: Career Objectives

When you are talking about your career objective , it should feel more like a realistic plan instead of daydreams. And this template can help you articulate your objective pretty neatly. Designed with bold colors and direction-pointing arrow signs, this template features a profession over the years and a clear roadmap for the future. It encourages a step-by-step approach to set goals from foundational intentions to long-term objectives and strategic choices. You can effectively express your career vision and align your goals with action. You can demonstrate a forward-thinking mindset and an organized approach to career planning using this template. 

Template 8: Case Study

This template is an excellent option if you are presenting a case study to introduce your problem-solving skills. How? Well, this one lets you showcase how you were able to tackle a particular set of challenges that crept up while working on it. When you showcase a real-life example, it gives the viewers more confidence in you. The design is sleek, and a balanced use of space and contrasting colors grab the audience's attention. It helps them focus on the areas that matter the most. The central image acts as an anchor, and the surrounding icons help simplify complex information. Each icon acts as a visual marker with space to add necessary information about the particular case study.

Template 9: Introducing Yourself Depicting Employee Performance

Professional achievements are always a key part of self-introduction, especially for those who are looking to crack an interview. This template is specifically designed for such individuals. This template has a prominent section for the presenter's profile photo, a detailed education history , and work experience. It features a 'Skill Data Statistic' section with customizable gauges. This section can help you visually represent what expertise you have in particular skills. This template is a perfect blend of personal branding and performance metrics that's suitable for interviews, performance reviews, or personal assessments.

Template 10: Career Path

A career is nothing less than climbing steps, right? This template visualizes the career journey with clarity and motivation, using the same concept. With a staircase graphic that represents a step-by-step progression and a trophy at the end that indicates the ultimate goal, this template is a great career path presentation template. Here, each step of the staircase acts as a distinct phase or accomplishment in your professional career. The silhouette of a person at the base adds a human element to the narrative. This editable slide is perfect for professionals outlining career goals, milestones, or success stories during presentations.

The Final Thought

Your initial introduction can make or break your deal or interview, so it's always better to have a rock-solid first impression whenever you meet someone. These templates could be of great assistance in such cases and help you connect with the audience at professional levels. Download them now and make your introductions more attractive and crystal clear. 

Related posts:

• Top 10 Templates for Presentation About Myself with Samples and Examples
• Top 10 Self-Introduction Templates with Samples and Examples
• Must-Have About Me Introduction Samples With Examples and Templates
• Top 5 Professional Profile Templates with Examples and Samples

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Learn how to introduce yourself: examples to make a good impression

Learning how to introduce yourself in different circumstances is crucial for expanding your network. After all, first impressions are important. While you’ll forget preconceived notions or awkward handshakes, the way someone presents themself to you lingers and affects how you feel about them later in the relationship . Unless you’re given the opportunity to learn otherwise, you likely already made up your mind about them.

Luckily, acing self-introductions isn’t difficult. We’ll discuss how to introduce yourself verbally and in written form to leave a professional impression and offer some introduction examples for you to try.

What makes a good self-introduction?

A true first impression only takes seven seconds to form , so you need to start strong — from the first moment. A good self-introduction is an opportunity to kick start this first impression on the right foot, whether in a professional or casual setting. Here are some key elements that contribute to a successful self-introduction:

1. Clarity and brevity

• Be clear and concise : Avoid rambling or providing too much information. Stick to the essentials that are relevant to the context.
• Get to the point quickly : Introduce yourself, your role or background, and why you’re there in a few sentences or a brief pitch .

2. Relevance

• Tailor to the audience : Customize your introduction based on who you’re speaking to and the setting. Highlight information that will resonate with your audience.
• Mention relevant skills or experiences : Especially in professional settings, focus on what makes you a good fit for the situation.

3. Confidence and positivity

• Speak with confidence : Your tone and body language should convey self-assurance without being arrogant .
• Be positive and approachable : A friendly demeanor helps establish rapport and makes others more receptive to you.

4. Personal connection

• Share a little about yourself : Include a personal touch, such as a hobby or interest, especially in more casual or mixed settings. This can make you more relatable.
• Find common ground : Mention something that connects you to the audience or the situation, like a shared interest or goal.

5. Openness to further conversation

• Invite engagement : End your introduction with a question or a statement that invites further conversation, making it easier for others to respond.
• Express interest in others : Show that you’re not just focused on yourself by asking about others or mentioning that you’re looking forward to learning from them.

6. Professionalism (when appropriate)

• Align with the context : In professional settings, make sure your introduction reflects your professionalism and aligns with the norms of the environment.
• Highlight achievements subtly : Mention key accomplishments if relevant, but do so in a way that’s humble and not boastful .

7. Practice and adaptability

• Practice your introduction : Being familiar with what you want to say helps you deliver it smoothly and naturally.
• Be adaptable : Be ready to adjust your introduction based on the flow of conversation or the reactions of your audience.

Framework for a great self-introduction

A good introduction doesn't need to be formulaic and can be casual or lengthy, depending on the scenario. Here’s a general outline for an intro that covers all the bases: 

Starting your introduction

If you're wondering how to start an introduction about yourself, the best thing to do is keep it simple. Greet your conversation partner or audience, state your name, and mention why you're there, if relevant.

Example : "Hi, my name is Sarah Johnson. I'm here today to talk about my experience in digital marketing and how I can help your company improve its online presence."

Let your audience know where you’re from and what you’ve been up to recently. Customize this to the situation. In some cases, you’ll discuss where you grew up and where you live now. In others, where you went to school and your profession will be your focus. 

Example : "I was born and raised in Chicago, and after completing my degree in Marketing at the University of Illinois, I moved to New York City to work in the tech industry. Currently, I'm working as a Marketing Manager at Tech Innovations Inc."

In professional settings, mention any relevant skills and offer context by discussing why you’re mentioning or where you gained them. 

If this is a written introduction, like a cover letter or letter of intent , include skills mentioned in the job description to show you’ve prepared and know what’s required for the role. And ensuring your skills are aligned benefits you. According to Gallup, working where you can use your skills to the best of your ability reduces the likelihood of hypertension and high cholesterol .

Example : "I have a strong background in SEO and content marketing, which I've developed over five years of working with various startups. For instance, I helped a small e-commerce brand increase their organic traffic by 150% within six months by implementing a comprehensive content strategy."

Achievements

In most professional intros, it’s helpful to note things you’ve accomplished, like degrees or promotions . This might also be relevant when introducing yourself to new colleagues or clients. 

Example : "During my time at my previous company, I was promoted from Content Specialist to Senior Marketing Manager within two years. Additionally, I was part of a team that won a Webby Award for Best Social Media Campaign."

You can use an introduction to express to your community what you’d like to achieve and how you might get there. This subtle type of networking might help you gain help or land an opportunity you might’ve missed. 

To show your proactivity and sincerity, include examples of how you’re already taking action to realize these goals. For example, if you're interested in learning French, mention you're taking classes and have a language-exchange partner you meet once a week.

Example : "I'm currently focused on expanding my expertise in data-driven marketing, and I’m taking a course in advanced analytics to deepen my understanding. My goal is to lead a team that pioneers innovative strategies in digital marketing."

Expressing your values during an introduction doesn’t have to be explicit. The way you behave when meeting someone says more than stating you value a specific trait. Be honest, speak articulately and with kindness, and remain humble to show you value transparency, compassion, and humility. If this is a job search or workplace introduction, align your values with those expressed by the team or company. For example, if their mission statement mentions valuing teamwork skills , talk about your love of collaborating with others to achieve common goals. 

Example : "Collaboration is something I deeply value, as I believe that the best results come from teamwork. At my last job, I took the initiative to organize weekly brainstorming sessions, which led to a significant increase in team productivity and morale."

The best way to end an introduction is to leave the conversation open. For example, if the intro is for a job interview, ask the hiring manager how they'd like to proceed . If it’s a meet and greet where there’s only time for introductions, set a follow-up call to ask more questions .

Example : "I'm really excited about the possibility of working together. I'd love to hear more about your team’s current challenges and explore how I can contribute to your goals. What’s the best way for us to move forward?"

How to write an introduction about yourself

Preparing a succinct and genuine introduction is valuable in every facet of your life. Here are five tips for composing the best introduction: 

1. Rehearse it 

A great way to make introducing yourself less nerve-wracking is to memorize a simple introduction. Customize this to each situation so you don’t have to think on the spot so much, or rehearse intros for various scenarios so you’re never caught off guard. 

Try recording yourself saying the introduction to ensure you’re speaking articulately and clearly. You could also rehearse it with a friend to get constructive feedback . 

2. Tell a story

Instead of summarizing easily-accessible online information about you, engage your audience by sprinkling in new details and formatting your intro like a story . 

A great way to do this is to replicate the STAR interview method . This is the framework: 

• Situation : Establish your career path , starting with where you came from and a challenge you faced.
• Task : Define what your position and responsibilities were during this time.
• Action : Tell them how you confronted this challenge.
• Result : Share what you achieved and the insights you gained along the way.

You can shorten or lengthen this story, depending on your circumstances.

3. Communicate your values

Communication skills are essential to making a good first impression. Demonstrate your confidence with good posture, show your values by remaining sincere, and express your consideration for others by actively listening .

4. Showcase your personality

Even in professional settings, your audience wants to know what kind of person you are. A hiring manager cares about your qualifications but also wants to ensure you’ll get along with your coworkers and enjoy the company culture .

Being yourself also shows your sincerity — you’re not about to completely hide qualities such as humor and nerdiness just because this is a formal introduction. 

5. End with a question

A great way to show your interest in the person on the other end is to complete your introduction with a question . In a professional setting, this might be asking something about a job description or probing about next steps. This shows you see them as active conversation participants and keeps things moving smoothly. 

Self-introduction examples for the workplace

You understand the importance of a great self-intro, know how to format one, and are filled with tips and tricks for creating a great first impression. Here are two introduction templates for different scenarios to help you get started: 

Example 1: How to introduce yourself in a job interview

Hey [recruiter name], 

My name’s [name]. I completed my [qualifying course or training] in [year] and have [x] years of experience working as [relevant position]. While working for [previous company’s name], I developed [soft and hard skills], which I think will apply well to this role.

I’ve also been hoping to work on my [ambitions], and I know I’d get the opportunity to do so at [this company] since you value [insert value]. I look forward to telling you more about my qualifications throughout this call and thank you in advance for your time.

Do you have any questions about the resume I sent over?

Example 2: How to introduce yourself to a new team

Hello everyone,

I’m [your name]. I've just joined this department as [position]. I have [x] years of experience [list relevant tasks and situations]. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of you already and look forward to getting to know everyone here better. To start, maybe everyone could mention the position they’re in and the clients they’re focused on?

Example 3: How to introduce yourself professionally

Hi, I’m [your name]. I’m a [your position] at [your company], where I focus on [mention key responsibilities or area of expertise]. I’ve been working in [your field or industry] for [x] years and have a strong background in [specific skill or experience relevant to your job]. I’ve been following [their company or work], and it’s great to meet in person finally. I’d love to chat about [shared interest or reason for connecting.

How to introduce yourself outside of work

Knowing how to introduce yourself in the workspace is important. But we all have frequent run-ins with new people outside of work, too. Be it new neighbors, classmates, or daycare parents, here are examples of how to introduce yourself in the wild.

Example 1: Meeting new people at a networking event

I’m [Your Name], a [your position] at [company]. I specialize in investment strategies and risk management, and I’ve been in the industry for about six years now. I’m here to learn from other professionals and share insights on the latest trends in finance. I’m particularly interested in how technology is reshaping our industry. It’s great to meet you—what brings you to this event?

Example 2: Introducing yourself to a new class or group

Hi, I’m [Your Name].

I’m really excited to be part of this photography workshop. I’m a [your position] by profession, but I’ve always had a passion for photography and wanted to hone my skills. I’m particularly interested in learning more about landscape photography. Looking forward to creating and sharing our work together!

Example 3: Meeting neighbors for the first time

My family and I just moved in next door. We’re originally from [location] and are really looking forward to settling in here. We love hiking and exploring the outdoors, so we’re excited to check out the local trails. It’s great to meet you—if you have any recommendations for local spots, we’d love to hear them!

Example 4: Introducing yourself at a conference or workshop

Good morning, everyone!

My name is [your name], and I’m a [your position] at XYZ Corp. I’ve been working in the [X] industry for about [timeframe] focusing on [experience areas]. I’m here to learn more about the latest advancements in AI and how we can integrate them into our products to better serve our users. I’m looking forward to the sessions today and connecting with all of you!

Get out there and start introducing yourself with confidence

Composing a self-introduction is an excellent opportunity to reflect on where you’ve been, what you’d like to achieve, and what you have to offer. We make formal and informal intros all the time, be it with a new date or a potential employer, so it’s worth knowing how to introduce yourself. 

Consider asking friends, family, and colleagues for help if you find it hard to summarize your past and qualifications. Fresh perspectives are always helpful since it’s hard to pinpoint our own strengths and weaknesses. And once you’ve practiced a basic intro a few times, you’ll feel ready for every scenario.

If you're looking for professional advice, try partnering with a BetterUp Coach . Our communication coaches can help you build out a system to put yourself out there with ease.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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