It is complimentary when you are requested to be a podcast guest or on a panel of experts. It used to be that you needed to have written a book or launched a successful company to be invited as a podcast guest or panelist. But, now as the number of podcasts and virtual summits grows, common people are questioned every day online. These invites are a good sign that you are making a distinction in your career.
While most people aren’t scared to share their ideas and expertise, it can be nerve-wracking to know how to introduce yourself on a podcast or as a panelist. The introduction differs from a job consultation where you have a few minutes to familiarize yourself. And, it’s not a typical networking event (although sharing the consultation with people can impress your network). It’s different. You want to make a advantageous first impression with everyone listening to the show.
Start with how long you have been doing something.
“A career coach with over 20 years experience helping people to find and express their stores, first as a drama teacher and now working one-to-one with clients.”
“A career coach who after 15 years of making a low salary in art education I transitioned to HR, and made a whopping 42% salary increase in that first move.”
This curtain-raiser helps the listener to know how long you have been at a particular kind of work, and where you materialized the skills. Now, a number of years of experience do not automatically similar invention or expertise. The danger in this kind of space is that people often hold onto the first points you share. So, in the above examples, if they think that the arts or drama is more fascinating than career coaching, they may only remember the art part.
The best virtual nursing jobs offer the opportunity to work from home. Positions include telehealth nurses, remote case managers, nurse educators, and medical coders.
Begin with your current title and area of expertise
“An HR and career development professional who helps creatives hone their stories to land ideal work.”
This allows you to ground the listener in what you are doing now. They won’t have the chance to attach to your former work identities, you show up as owning the title you have. This style of introduction is safe for a podcast where you’ll be able to add more details and tell stories throughout the episode.
Begin with prestige
If you have won awards, been published or featured in a magazine, or have been named as a top anything, you could lead with that. Credibility matters when someone doesn’t know you. So, if your title or company name doesn’t carry much weight, you could help people see your importance, not by saying what you are important, but by referring to what other people say about you.
Go for approachable or understated.
While prestige works for some people, it can be threatening for others. If your target client is feeling insecure, they may feel intimidated when you drop all your accolades. If you’re trying to win over people, you could share a more vulnerable side of yourself. For me, an approachable and understated introduction would be.
“I’m a writer and storytelling coach who currently balances a coaching practice while home-schooling part-time.”
