3 Techniques to make sure people remember you

Do people always remember your name when you introduce yourself? Probably not.

Here’s why they don’t remember. Your first and last name is probably the most familiar phrase that you know, but to someone you’ve just met, it’s exactly the opposite. Because of this familiarity with our own names, most of us say them much too quickly. Like this “Hi my name is mumble mumble blah”.

To help you become more memorable, I’m going to share with you 3 techniques that you can use straight away to make sure people remember you.

Technique 1

Here’s the first. It’s very easy. Say your name, but slowly.
Like this “Hi my name is [First Name] [Last name]”

Now you try. If you’re doing it right, in your head, this will sound really slow to you. But out loud, for everyone else it sounds perfectly normal. Try it with a friend or colleague, see what they think.

Technique 2

Now the second technique. All you need to do is pause before you say your first name, then pause again between your first and your last name. This prevents all the sounds from merging together for the person listening.

Here’s how it should sound: “Hi, my name is ___ [First Name] ___ [Last name].”

Again, this might feel unnatural at first, but it won’t sound strange to those listening. The first pause gives them a moment to prepare their brain to listen for a name. The second pause gives them a chance to take in your first name before they hear your last name.

The combination of saying your name slowly, and adding pauses in the right places will ensure that people hear your name properly, and go a long way towards helping them to remember it.

Technique 3

The third technique requires a bit more work. Try to provide some sort of association, or ‘thought anchor’ for people to attach your name to. For instance, I share the same first and last name as the actor Richard E. Grant. So I introduce myself as Richard D. Grant – most people make the association immediately and I say yeah, I was the prototype, he’s the final product. Clearly, I’m no stand-up comedian, but it does the job. Who or What can you associate with your name?

Summary

To be remembered, say your name slowly. Pause before you say your name, then pause again between your first and your last name. And finally provide some sort of thought association to help people remember your name.