I often run workshops on ‘working the room’ and I am always being asked how to make myself more memorable at networking events. In this business development clinic post, I share 4 ways of helping you be more memorable when working the room.
Help people remember your name
When you introduce yourself, say your first name, pause slightly, and then say your first and second name. For example:
My name is Heather…. Heather Townsend
The fact that the other person gets to hear your name twice, significantly increases the chances of them remembering your name. If your name is slightly unusual, or from a non-UK culture or background, a way to help people remember your name, is to give them an easy way to say it. For example:
My name is Heather…. Heather Townsend… it rhymes with …. or sounds like …. or use my nick name …
Introduce yourself by the value you bring and the clients you work for
Introducing yourself by your job title is the best way of being pigeon-holed, labelled and put in a metaphorical box. It also makes you as dull as ditch water in the other person’s eyes. It’s very often a conversation closer rather than an opener. [sc name=NicheWorksheet] Therefore, don’t say:
- “I’m an auditor“, say “I help my manufacturing clients give their major stakeholders confidence in their financial status“
- “I’m in corporate finance” say “I help my retailing clients sell their business for the best price possible“
- “I’m an employment lawyer” say “I help my FTSE 100 clients stop their people conflicts escalating into an employment tribunal appearance”
For more information on introducing yourself read ‘What is your sound bite‘
Add in relationship hooks
The trick to making yourself memorable is to show more of your personality than just your name and rank, and an exchange of pleasantries and small talk. When you are exchanging pleasantries, then aim to drop in some relationship hooks for the other person to catch. For example, when asked:
- ‘How was your journey here?‘, how about answering: “An easy journey and I’m hoping that the trains work for me on the way home”
- ‘How has your day been?‘, how about answering: “Lovely day and really enjoyed putting to bed a cracking case for a client” or “great day, but now looking forward to watching the rugby at the weekend“
For more information on relationship hooks, see stop saying fine if you want to develop a profitable relationship.
Have some prepared ‘credibility stories’
Credibility stories are where you have several war stories prepared which illustrate the length and breadth of what you do, and who you do it for, and the results you help your clients achieve. Stories are naturally more memorable than a bland list of what you do and who you do it for. How do you help yourself be more memorable when networking? [sc name=NicheWorksheet]
About Heather: 
Heather helps professionals become the ‘Go To Expert’. She is the author of the award-winning and best selling book on networking, ‘The FT Guide To Business Networking‘. She is also the co-author of ‘How to make partner and still have a life’
