You know how everyone says, “You only get one chance to make a first impression”?
Well, when you’re networking, that impression better fit into 8 seconds.
Not 30. Not 60. Eight.
That’s because most networking interactions start with one lightning-fast moment of attention. If you use that moment to rattle off your job title and the industry buzzwords you think sound impressive… you’ve already lost them.
Enter: The 8-Second Networking Introduction
The 8-Second Intro is not about who you are.
It’s about the problem you solve—and for whom you solve it.
Let’s break it down.
🔹 It starts with “You know how…”
This line introduces the problem, and it’s crucial that it’s phrased in the third person.
Not “You know how you struggle with,” but rather:
“You know how some people…” or “You know how businesses often…”
You want to invite them into shared understanding without making it about them (yet).
🔹 Then comes “What I do is…”
Now you bring in the solution. And spoiler: the solution is not your job title.
Here’s the formula:
You know how [the problem]? What I do is [the solution].
That’s it. Simple. Memorable. Effective.
Let’s look at some examples.
🏠 Example: The Realtor
❌ “I’m a realtor. I help people buy and sell homes.”
🙄 Yawn. So does literally every other realtor in the universe.
✅ “You know how buying a home can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life? What I do is guide people through the process so it’s easy and even enjoyable.”
🔥 Boom. Now you’re not a realtor. You’re a stress-busting dream home sherpa.
💼 Example: The Business Coach
❌ “I’m a business coach.”
🤷 Cool story.
✅ “You know how entrepreneurs get stuck working 60 hours a week and still don’t see results? What I do is help them design systems so their business works even when they don’t.”
Now that’s someone I want to talk to.
🎯 Why It Works
- It gets attention fast.
- It focuses on your value, not your title.
- It’s easy to remember and repeat (perfect for referrals).
And most importantly: it opens the door to a real conversation.
✨ Final Tip: Tailor It
Don’t write your 8-Second Intro once and carve it in stone.
You’ll want to tweak it for different audiences, events, or goals.
But always keep the core structure.
Because structure = clarity.
And clarity = connections.
Want More Magic Like This?

The 8-Second Intro is just one of many powerful tools you’ll master in
The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking — a real-world guide to building relationships that turn into results.
🎯 If you want to finally feel confident walking into any room (or Zoom) and know exactly what to say and how to say it…
👉 Get the book here and start networking like a pro.
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