Are you one of those who say, “Oh, I’m just not good with names.”  

Too bad, I think that’s a marketing opportunity lost. 

People are always flattered when you unexpectedly remember their name.  And with everyone feeling “uptight” in these challenging times, a personal recognition has even more potential to make a lasting impression. 

Write name on forehead?

(And don’t think that you can always rely on name tags at events to bail you out.  Your “wandering” eyes trying to glance at the tag will usually give you away.)

Few people are naturally good at remembering names.  And let’s face it, in greeting situations, there are so many other things going on around you and through your head that it can be difficult to concentrate on picking up a name.  But like anything else, it’s a skill that just needs some direction and practice.

Here are some tips I use: 

a) I connect some physical or attire attribute to their name.  You know, a guy named “Paul” might be “tall,” etc.  (OK, keep this appropriate, though!)

b) Another technique I use is to mentally write the name of the person across their forehead. (I pretend it to be with a permanent Sharpie — I don’t know why that exactly works better for me, but it does)

c) When I return from a networking event, I review the business cards and recall the face with the name.

Be kind to yourself on this.  You are going to miss a name or two.  It’s ok to say once in awhile, “I’m sorry, could you please tell me your name again?”

And customize this as well.  At very large events, you may want to just concentrate on remembering first names.

And don’t get so caught up on remembering the name that you space out what the person does.  (Believe me, I’ve been there!)

Just keep making it a goal to improve.  Soon you to will receive a compliment from a potential customer, “Wow, you have a good memory!”  Smile, shrug modestly, and reply, “That’s why I’m in sales.”

Which leads to another article I be writing down the road, “We’re ALL in Sales!”

I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Also, feel free to contact me, David Ryan, at 301-217-0000 x104 or dryan@videolabs.net

Also, now follow me on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution

If you enjoyed this blog, you might also be interested in reading about the Fast Track to More Clients workshop I attended last summer:  http://tinyurl.com/4ykpa6