Introducing someone in a social setting does not have to be awkward. There is one little trick to make social introductions more fun, while creating a seamless segue into an organic conversation.
How to Introduce Your Friend Like a Pro
The best way to introduce a friend in a social setting is to introduce them by name, then add a statement of interesting information or an intriguing question that could be the basis for stimulating more conversation from the group. This works exceptionally well if it will provoke questions about your friend.
When I introduce someone, I always like to include a quick anecdote or fact about them that may raise some questions or intrigue. I find this method makes the introduction less awkward and helps break the ice to promote conversation. People will always engage more when they are interested, and the goal here is to make the introduction more interesting.
One of my best friends from college, Gia, told me one day that I am great at making introductions. She told me that I always give a little extra information, making the whole introduction a better experience, which helps to get the conversation going. I had never thought about it. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, but I have been conscious of it ever since. This technique was just natural to me, but it is something you can work on and a skill you can develop.
Below, I will give a few examples of how I would introduce one of my friends at a party or other social environment using this introduction with information technique, which I call “Intro Info.”
Tell Everyone How You Met
The easiest way to introduce someone with some extra details is to tell everyone how you met. For example, my friend Gia and I met in college while studying abroad in Barcelona. Here is an example of how I might introduce her.
“This is my friend Gia. She was my roommate in Barcelona twenty years ago, and we’ve been friends ever since.”
This introduction is much better than just saying, “This is my friend Gia,” and then silence. Telling everyone we met in Spain opens up lots of potential conversation topics. People can ask about Spain, what it was like being roommates, or about traveling interests. The potential topics here are topics many people can relate to. This can be easy for people to engage in and start a conversation.
This introduction makes the entire situation less awkward and opens up the potential for dialogue.
Look For Common Interests
Another way to elevate an introduction is to look for common interests in the group. This method will work best if you know everyone there or at least are aware of some commonality. For example, I could introduce a friend who likes UFC to someone who is also into UFC.
“This is my friend Mike; he is the biggest UFC fan I have ever met.”
This type of introduction is a great way to break the ice and allow people to bond over a common interest. In my experience, the hardest part of the conversation is just getting it started. Keeping a conversation going is easier than starting one. That is why good introduction skills are such an essential social skill.
The common interest introduction method can help everyone feel comfortable by creating a slight connection between people who don’t know each other. This prevents people from having to ask random questions to probe for common interests and makes everyone more comfortable by seeing an interpersonal connection.
Mention a Unique Fact
If there is anything unique or exciting about your friend, sharing it is a great way to get the conversation rolling. It could be a hobby, a job, a talent, anything as long as it can interest the group. I have a friend named Bates, who is an NYPD Detective. If I were to introduce him, I might mention he is a detective since it is a unique job.
“This is my friend, Bates; he’s an NYPD detective, so if you want tips on disposing of a body, this is your man.”
I use a lot of humor and am animated in my speaking. You don’t have to make a joke, but if you do, remember that jokes are about what you say and how you say it.
If you introduce someone with unique information, you can bring out curiosity in the group. Developing intrigue promotes questions, and questions lead to a flowing conversation. If nobody asks a question, you can also have one ready. For example, in this case, I could say, “How often do people confess during an interrogation?” It can be anything, but you want to ensure movement in the conversation so that everyone does not sit around in silence.
Ask a Question to the Person With the Introduction
If you want to jumpstart the conversation, you can always introduce someone with a question to the person you are introducing. For example, I have a friend who is a Doctor. If I were to introduce her to a group of people, I might ask her about being a doctor.
“This is my friend Rose; she is a doctor. So Rose, tell us how accurate Grey’s Anatomy is to a real hospital.”
When you ask the person you are introducing a question, it gives them the opportunity to open up and start talking without having to wait for someone else to ask a question. As we showed in the last example, this can be used in any introduction as a fallback when other people don’t speak up. I am good at social improvisation, but if you aren’t, you can have these questions thought out and prepared in advance.
Ask a Question to the Group With the Introduction
This is similar to the last tip, but reversed. Instead of asking the person a question, you can ask the group a question related to the new friend. For example, my friend Noah’s family is Portuguese, so I might ask about everyone else’s background.
“This is my friend, Noah; his family is from Portugal. Where is everyone else’s family from?”
This lets other individuals chime in and connect. It can be an easy way for everyone to speak, and hopefully, the conversation takes off. If there is a group of people, this can be a good technique because there is a greater chance for someone to jump in and start talking, or everyone can go around and share some information.
Making a Friendly Introduction
Introductions do not have to be awkward. Adding a little information, fun fact, or question to the introduction lets you quickly get the conversation rolling and avoid an uncomfortable silence where everyone waits for someone else to say something. I always use these techniques and find them very helpful.
If you know everyone present, you may be tempted to do most of the talking. The goal here is to get everyone interested and contributing to the conversation. So ideally, you want to get people talking, and of course, you should contribute as well, but listening is important too. Set a good example and be an attentive listener if one of the people you introduced is speaking. Listening is one of the most essential parts of a conversation. If you want to read about listening, I have another post discussing the social skills of being a good listener.
I hope this technique works for you. Introductions are an important part of socializing, and we can all improve on how we start these conversations. Good luck making introductions.
