“Hi, I’m, uh, Jordan. Ummm, I’m an analyst at GroupThink and I like… you know … stuff like walking…”

Spoiler alert: Introduce yourself like that and no one will remember you.

Why your brain hates basic intros

Alessia Fransisca, psychiatrist and writer, suggests a better way. As published in Psyc Digest, Dr. Fransisca shares ►

• The “Broken Robot” Effect: The brain tunes out the predictable intro that goes in this sequence: Name, job, hobby.
• The Halo Effect: People decide if you’re smart/kind/compelling in seconds. First impressions stick.
• Science Fix: Hijack people’s attention through storytelling + curiosity.

Dr. Fransisca’s 3-Part Knockout Intro Formula (she says you can steal this!)

1️⃣  The Hook:

• Do not start with your name. Why? No one cares who you are at this point and you’ve wasted valuable Attention Real Estate.
• Do start with a story. Why? Stories activate the brain’s “movie mode” making you memorable.

❌  “Hi. I’m Karen and I’m the CEO of a communication consultant company called Speak For Yourself®.”

✅  “One time I stood up to give a speech and my skirt fell down. Now I teach companies how to avoid my communication mistakes.”

2️⃣  The Highlight:

Add a bizarre detail. Why? Quirky details stick 5x longer according to the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

❌  “I love movies”.

✅  “My Academy Award Oscars buddy, Marvin Blum, and I once picked the Oscar winners in all 18 categories.”

3️⃣  The Handoff:

• Make it about the other person… which is the other person’s favorite subject!
• Pass the baton by asking a question.  Why? Dr. Fransisca says, “Questions force the other person’s brain to engage.” You reach beyond the predictable and get associated with curiosity.

❌  “Nice to meet you!”  (Again, a waste of Attention Real Estate.)

✅  “What’s the weirdest hobby you’ve tried?”

Importance to you

• Our attention span rivals that of a goldfish.
• To be memorable to others get creative and have some fun.
• Use Dr. Fransisca’s approach and report back in the comment section below!

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