How to Introduce Yourself at Networking Events (Without the Elevator Pitch)

“So what do you do?”

It’s the most common question at every networking event, wedding, cocktail party, and random encounter. And most business owners hate it.

Not because they don’t know what they do - but because they don’t know how to describe it without sounding like they’re selling.

You’ve been there. You launch into your “elevator pitch” - the one you’ve rehearsed a dozen times - and watch their eyes glaze over. Or you give some vague one-liner (“I help businesses grow”) and see them mentally check out.

Either way, the conversation dies. No connection. No follow-up. Another business card that goes straight to the trash.

There’s a better way.

Why Elevator Pitches Fail

The elevator pitch was designed for a specific situation: you have 30 seconds to pitch your idea to an investor before they get off the elevator.

That’s not what happens at networking events.

When someone asks “what do you do?” at a social event, they’re not evaluating your business model. They’re making small talk. They’re looking for a connection point. They’re hoping you’re interesting enough to keep talking to.

An elevator pitch fails this test because:

It creates cognitive overload. When you dump all your key messages at once, the listener can’t process any of them. They remember nothing.

It sounds rehearsed. The second you launch into something that sounds like a prepared speech, the other person’s defenses go up. They know a sales pitch when they hear one.

It’s one-directional. Good conversations are back-and-forth. A pitch is just you talking at someone.

The result? They forget you immediately and avoid you for the rest of the event.

“The goal of an introduction isn’t to explain your business. It’s to start a conversation that makes them want to know more.”

The 10-Word Introduction

Here’s the alternative to the elevator pitch: say less, not more.

The formula:

1. Your name
2. What you do (in simple terms)
3. Who you help
4. Stop talking

That’s it. 10-15 words maximum.

Examples:

“I’m Sarah, I’m a marketing consultant. I work mostly with accounting firms.”

“I’m Tom, I’m an accountant. I specialize in small business tax.”

“I’m Emma, I’m a real estate agent. I focus on first-time buyers in Burnaby.”

No value proposition. No key benefits. No call to action.

Just a simple, human introduction that gives them enough information to decide if they want to know more.

Sarah Martinez

Marketing Consultant

Martinez Marketing Group

Vancouver, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“I used to have this elaborate elevator pitch,” Sarah admits. “Thirty seconds of key messages and value propositions. It sounded great in my head. But I could literally see people checking out halfway through. Now I just say ‘I’m a marketing consultant, I work with professional services firms.’ Eight words. And then I ask them a question about what they do. The conversation actually goes somewhere.”

The Curiosity Hook

Once you’ve mastered the basic introduction, you can add one more element: a curiosity hook.

This is a short phrase that makes people want to ask a follow-up question.

The formula:

1. Your name
2. What you do
3. Who you help
4. Something surprising or specific

Examples:

“I’m Sarah, I’m a marketing consultant. I work with professionals who are great at their work but terrible at talking about it.”

“I’m Tom, I’m an accountant. I specialize in helping businesses pay less tax - legally, of course.”

“I’m Emma, I’m a real estate agent. I help first-time buyers in Burnaby who are terrified of the process.”

The curiosity hook is optional. It only works if it feels natural. If you have to force it, just stick with the basic introduction.

“The best introduction makes them ask a question. That’s how you know they’re actually engaged.”

Scripts for Different Business Types

Here are introduction scripts adapted for different types of businesses. Use them as templates and adjust for your specific situation.

Service Business

Basic: “I’m [name], I’m a [profession]. I work mostly with [client type].”

With hook: “I’m [name], I’m a [profession]. I help [client type] who [specific problem or situation].”

Example: “I’m Linda, I’m a mortgage broker. I work mostly with first-time buyers who thought they couldn’t afford a house.”

Consultant or Coach

Basic: “I’m [name], I’m a [type] consultant/coach. I work with [client type].”

With hook: “I’m [name], I’m a [type] consultant. I help [client type] who [specific challenge].”

Example: “I’m David, I’m a business coach. I help solo professionals who are stuck at the same revenue they’ve been at for three years.”

Creative Professional

Basic: “I’m [name], I’m a [profession]. I specialize in [niche].”

With hook: “I’m [name], I run a [business type] in [location]. I focus on [specific specialty], so I work a lot with [related professionals].”

Example: “I’m Jessica, I own a hair salon in Kelowna. I specialize in bridal styling, so I work with a lot of wedding planners and photographers.”

Miguel Rodriguez

General Contractor

Rodriguez Construction

Surrey, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“I’m a contractor,” Miguel shares. “For years, that’s all I said. ‘I’m a contractor.’ And then people would assume I was a handyman or a subcontractor. Now I say ‘I’m a general contractor - I do kitchen and bathroom renovations in Surrey. I work mostly with real estate investors and people getting their homes ready to sell.’ It’s specific. It sounds professional. And real estate agents immediately think ‘oh, I could use this guy.’”

Trade or Technical

Basic: “I’m [name], I’m a [profession]. I work in [area].”

With hook: “I’m [name], I’m a [profession]. I specialize in [specific type of work] - most of my clients are [referral source].”

Example: “I’m Miguel, I’m a general contractor. I specialize in kitchen and bathroom renovations - most of my work comes from real estate agents getting homes ready to sell.”

Fitness or Wellness

Basic: “I’m [name], I run a [business type] in [location].”

With hook: “I’m [name], I run a [business type]. I focus on [specific approach or clientele], so I work closely with [related professionals].”

Example: “I’m Carlos, I run a strength training studio. I focus on injury recovery, so I work closely with physiotherapists and chiropractors in the area.”

The Secret: Be Interested, Not Interesting

Here’s the counterintuitive truth about networking introductions:

The way to be interesting is to be interested.

After you give your 10-word introduction, ask them a question about their business. Actually listen to the answer. Ask follow-up questions.

When you show genuine interest in someone else, they like you more. They remember you more. They want to help you more.

The people who dominate conversations at networking events? Nobody remembers them. The people who ask great questions and actually listen? Everyone wants to connect with them.

Follow-up questions to ask:

• “How did you get into that?”
• “What kind of clients do you like working with most?”
• “What’s keeping you busy these days?”
• “How do most of your clients find you?”
• “What are you working on right now that you’re excited about?”

Tom Marino

Accountant (CPA)

Marino & Associates Accounting

Coquitlam, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

“I used to think networking was about telling people what I do,” Tom says. “I’d talk about my practice, my services, my ideal clients. But the connections that actually turned into referral partnerships? They started when I got curious about the other person. ‘How do most of your clients find you?’ is my favorite question now. It tells me whether they’re interested in referral partnerships, and it shows I’m thinking about their business, not just mine.”

“Nobody remembers your elevator pitch. They remember how you made them feel. Make them feel interesting.”

What Happens After the Introduction

The introduction is just the beginning. The real goal is to start a conversation that leads to a genuine connection.

Signs the conversation is going well:

• They ask follow-up questions about your business
• They mention a challenge you might be able to help with
• They mention someone who could be a good connection for you
• The conversation naturally goes longer than the initial exchange

When to suggest continuing the conversation:

• “This is really interesting - we should grab coffee sometime and talk more.”
• “I’d love to learn more about what you do. Would you be open to a quick call next week?”
• “I know some people who might be good connections for you. Can I get your contact info?”

When to wrap up gracefully:

• “It was great meeting you - I’ll let you mingle!”
• “I’m going to grab a drink, but I’m glad we connected.”
• “I don’t want to monopolize your time - I’ll shoot you an email after the event.”

The goal is a follow-up conversation, not a sale on the spot.

The Real Goal

Here’s what most people miss about networking introductions:

The goal isn’t to close a deal. It’s to start a relationship.

A good introduction leads to a conversation. A good conversation leads to a coffee meeting. A coffee meeting leads to understanding how you can help each other. Over time, that becomes a referral relationship.

Trying to shortcut this process - cramming everything into a 30-second pitch - actually slows things down. You come across as desperate, you overwhelm the listener, and you kill any chance of genuine connection.

Slow down. Be human. Let the relationship develop naturally.

From Forgettable to Memorable

The business owners who struggle at networking events are trying too hard. They’ve rehearsed their pitches. They’re pushing for outcomes. They’re thinking about what they can get.

The business owners who thrive at networking events are curious. They ask questions. They listen. They focus on the other person.

Same events. Same people. Completely different approach - and completely different results.

Ready to Build Referral Relationships?

We built Rhythm of Business for professionals who want to build genuine referral relationships, not collect business cards. Our platform matches you with complementary professionals in your local area and keeps you connected through weekly video stories.

No more awkward follow-ups. No more forgotten business cards. Just consistent visibility that builds real relationships.

Related Reading

• How to Ask for Referrals (Without Being Awkward) - The next step after making the connection
• What Is a Power Partner? (And How to Find Yours) - Understanding who to build relationships with
• Why “Asking for Referrals” Doesn’t Work - The mindset shift that changes everything