So… What Do You Do? (Make Them Remember You)

We’ve all been there.

You’re at a networking event, a community fundraiser, or just standing in line at your kid’s school event when someone turns to you and asks, “So… what do you do?”

And suddenly, your brain short-circuits.

You momentarily look at the floor and fumble out something like: “I’m a lawyer with XYZ firm,” or “I do HR,” or “I’m a Business Coach.”

They nod politely.

You both reach for the cheese cubes.

End scene.

Fumbling introductions is a universal experience, and it doesn’t get easier if we just try to forget that moment ever happened.

But here’s the truth: Introducing ourselves in a way that feels natural and is memorable to others is an invaluable skill to master.

It’s time to lean into the power of a great first impression.

And here’s why.

Most business owners struggle to introduce themselves clearly, and that’s a problem.

You don’t want to be slick; you want to be real.

But often, we get stuck between extremes:

• Too vague: “I’m a [generic title]” – people won’t remember you.
• Too detailed: They’ll tune out before you even finish your second sentence.
• Too clever: Your listener will have to burn too many calories trying to figure out what you actually do.

The goal isn’t to impress; it’s to connect.

Common Mistakes

You know these are wrong because they never feel right.

We’ve all made them because we’re trying to be clear or sound credible, but they often backfire:

• Adding big words to sound credible: If you confuse, you lose. Jargon builds walls, not connections!
• Over-explaining: In an effort to be clear, we often drown the listener in details they don’t need upfront.
• Giving your title instead of the transformation you provide: “I’m a consultant” tells them what you are, not what you do for them. People buy solutions, not job titles.

One of the lessons I delight in teaching others as a Business Made Simple Certified Coach is how to develop a One-Liner.

This simple structure focuses on who you help and what happens once you help them.

It invites curiosity instead of confusion, and when done well, it helps those you meet tell your story to others. It’s an easy-to-understand and memorable formula, I promise.

💡The One-Liner Formula

Donald Miller teaches a simple, powerful formula for explaining what you do—one that works in conversation, on your website, or even at your kid’s soccer game. It follows a classic story structure, just like how film executives pitch movies:

• Problem: What’s the specific pain your customer feels?
• Solution: What do you offer to relieve it?
• Success: How do they feel or what do they achieve after?

Here’s the formula in action (for a business coach):

“Most business owners are so busy keeping things going, they don’t have time to think about what’s next.

As a business coach, I help them reclaim their time and shift into vision mode,

so they can build a business that runs smoothly with or without them.”

Notice how simple it is!

It names the problem. It hints at the solution. And it paints a clear, appealing outcome.

It’s not an elevator pitch full of buzzwords, but a genuine invitation to a conversation.

Your Turn: Write Your Own One-Liner

Try crafting your own one-liner using this powerful format:

Many [your ideal clients] struggle with ____. I help them ____ so they can ____.

Now, say it out loud.

Does it sound like you? Would it make someone ask a follow-up question? If not, use AI to help come up with iterations. Simplify it until it feels authentic and creates curiosity.

Learn from any screw-ups and refine, refine, refine!

Takeaways:

• Mastering your introduction is about making yourself clear, memorable, and approachable. It’s about opening doors, not closing conversations.

To your memorable connections, starting with me,

Laurie