I am sure it happened to you as well. You participated in a networking event, you met a lot of people, but when the event is over, you already forgot many of them. Sometimes you cannot even recall you met them. Or try to think of someone you met and had a conversation with, but you can’t recall their name or their business to look them up?
Well, you certainly don’t want to be one of those that other people can’t remember, do you? I hope you understand how important it is to be memorable while networking. Since if people do not remember you well, they will not continue to develop relationship with you and follow up, and they certainly won’t keep you in mind for their future needs or possible referrals.
So what can you do about it? Here are five tips on how to make yourself memorable (in a good way) when meeting other people face-to-face:
1. Be Unique and distinctive.
You need to try to stand out in a good way. Grooming yourself and wearing distinctive items will help you achieve it. It can be a special jewelry or a fashion item or anything that let you tell the story behind it.
I remember once in an event I met a young man that was wearing a small plane on his jacket. By being interested in this item and to learn more about this person I discovered the special emotional story behind it. This small item bonded me with this specific person and made him memorable (forever!).
Actually anything that helps people separate you from the crowd helps them remember the rest of you.
2. Are you there?
When you are networking with other people try to be present fully in that moment, with your body and mind. Try to prevent your mind from wondering around and show the other person that you recognize them and appreciate them spending their time with you. Here is the simple truth: being fully engaged helps you stands out and be memorable, since most of the people you interact with are only partly engaged.
As Dale Carnegie suggested, you must “take a genuine interest in other people”. People will always remember those who gave them their full and sincere attention to them. It makes them feel special and who doesn’t want to feel this way?
3. Share your Story
Share your story with others. A good personal story may help others, make them take action, but will surely make you memorable. Remember that facts tell but stories sell.
4. Your offline keywords.
Exactly like online, if you want to be found you need to insert the right keywords about yourself also when you are building your network. You need to practice to insert your key words in every interaction with another person. Your key words are the most important things you need people to remember about you: your name; your business name; your product/service; your location; additional unique fact.
Do you remember the elevator pitch somebody shared with you in a networking event? Although many experts teach you to practice and develop your elevator pitch but I personally do not think that this is what makes you memorable in a networking event. Your keywords are definitely anchors that will stay in people’s mind and make them remember you.
Anything you say that reinforces one of the five items above helps make you more memorable. And if they can remember just three of them — “Anna is the artist from Poland” or “Rajesh is the funny Indian who works for the IT company” — you’re doing great.
5. Interact and react
I learn this one from one of the leading tax lawyers in India. I noticed that in every event he asks very interesting questions to the panel on stage. By sharing his thoughts in front of the whole group of professionals he becomes more memorable. In fact many people try to interact with him during the breaks, as he was one of the panelists.
This is actually one of the main parts of networking – creating value to others. If you create value for others, you definitely create value for yourself and become instantly memorable.
As I shared many times during my trainings the 3R Attention Results model includes direct link between Relationship (Networking) and Reputation (Branding). When we talk about personal brand, you are your brand. A great personal brand communicates values and emotions that make it memorable. You will be remembered by others whenever you left on them impression. So make it good and make it memorable.
I want you to help you become memorable, will you give me a chance to help? Contact me to find out!
