Tips for Remembering Names in Networking

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Summary

Remembering names is an essential skill for building connections in networking, but it can often be challenging. Through simple practices like active listening, repetition, and personalization, you can make a lasting impression on the people you meet.

  • Repeat it often: Use their name several times in conversation to reinforce it in your memory and show that you’re paying attention.
  • Ask clarifying questions: Inquire about the meaning, spelling, or background of their name to create a personal connection and help you remember it.
  • Make it visual: Associate their name with a memorable image or link it to something unique about them for better recall.
Summarized by AI based on LinkedIn member posts
  • View profile for Tom Wells

    Small Business Bookkeeping Expert | Clean-Up, Catch-Up, Cash-Flow Clarity | Helping Service Businesses Make Confident Financial Decisions

    3,551 followers

    “Shoot, I forgot their name again.” Sounds familiar, right? You meet someone at a networking event. They tell you their name… and 3 minutes later? Gone. Frustrating, right? Let’s fix that. This acronym helps me remember names and make better connections. It's a simple memory trick from brain coach Jim Kwik called SUAVE: → Say it: Repeat the name right away. → Use it: Work it into your convo naturally. → Ask about it: Meaning, spelling, story behind it. → Visualize it: Picture something fun or memorable. → End with it: Wrap up by saying their name again. That’s it. It's helped me; maybe it can be impactful for you. Five easy steps that turn “ugh, I forgot” into “I remember you!” Next time you're out networking, give it a try. You might leave a bigger impression by remembering theirs. Because those who need you and your services are depending on it. If this post hit the spot, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗅 ♻️ #WellsVirtualClarity #NetworkingTips #BusinessConnections #MondayMotivation #MemoryHack

  • View profile for Lorraine K. Lee
    Lorraine K. Lee Lorraine K. Lee is an Influencer

    📘Grab bestseller Unforgettable Presence to go from overlooked to unforgettable 🎙️ Corporate Keynote Speaker & Trainer 👩🏻🏫 Instructor: LinkedIn Learning, Stanford 💼 Prev. Founding Editor @ LinkedIn, Prezi

    330,271 followers

    I don’t believe in “not being good at remembering names.” Here’s why: How many of us have heard (or even used) the phrase, “I’m not good with names”? The problem lies with our listening skills. Most of us go into auto-pilot mode. We smile, shake hands, and say "nice to meet you," but aren’t making an actual effort to retain the name. If you were meeting the CEO of your company, you'd remember. If you were meeting your manager for the first time, you'd remember. If you want to have a memorable presence next time you meet someone new, here's how to make sure you remember their name: ✅ Repeat their name out loud, and then repeat it again a couple of times in your head. (Pro tip: If it’s a name I’m not familiar with, I’ll ask that person to spell it for me to help me remember). ✅ Use their name in conversation a couple of times. In addition to cementing their name in your memory, people love hearing their own names. It makes them feel seen! People instantly think of you more positively when you remember their name because you make *them* feel good. 🤔 Will you sometimes not be able to remember a name even if you try? Yes! Especially if you’re meeting many people at once. This still happens to me sometimes, and it's usually because I get distracted and don't follow the steps above. I don't beat myself up over it, though. Instead: ✅ I ask for a reminder. A simple: "I'm so sorry, can you remind me your name again? I want to make sure I get it right," can go a long way. Want to learn more about how to be more memorable to your colleagues with tactics like these? I’m sharing tips in my newsletter tomorrow, link in the comments to subscribe! 👇 💬 Do you naturally have a good memory, or do you have to put work in to remember names/details about your colleagues? Share any memory tips you have in the comments! ***** 👋🏻 I'm Lorraine. I help organizations and teams stand out and supercharge their professional presence. 🎙 I provide training, consultancy, and keynotes for organizations who want to help their employees become more recognized, influential, successful, and empowered. 📧 Want exclusive content and discounts? Join my newsletter. ***** #leadershipandmanagement #professionalcommunication #communication #personalbranding

  • View profile for 🔔Mia Mazal

    Co-Founder of Talento - Talent Management & Innovative Operations for Supply Chain Growth

    10,350 followers

    Hey LinkedIn community!🌞 Attending events can be a great way to network and meet new people, but remembering faces, names, and conversations afterward can be quite challenging, especially when you meet a multitude of individuals in a short time.🙄 As per my experiences, I wanted to share some valuable tips to make your networking experience more personable and memorable: 📣 Repeat Someone’s Name in Conversation: When someone introduces themselves, try repeating their name a few times during your conversation. Not only does this practice reinforce their name in your memory, but it also demonstrates that you are actively listening and value what they have to say. 💳 Ask for a Business Card: After engaging in a conversation, ask if they have a business card. This will provide you with their name for future reference and also offers insights into their profession and contact information. Remember to bring your own business cards as well! Networking is a two-way street, and while you're learning about others, you also want to leave a lasting impression on them. 📝 Take Notes for Later: Jot down a brief note about each person you meet on their business card, highlighting essential discussion points or special things about them. This will help you differentiate between numerous individuals and recall the specifics of your conversation when you review the cards later on, in addition to allowing you to make your outreach more personable. 🤝 Find Common Ground: Establishing shared interests outside of professional topics can create strong and lasting bonds with the people you meet. Whether you connect over a shared hobby, a favorite sports team, finding mutual interests enhances the encounter and makes it more memorable 📨 Follow Up Message: Sending a follow-up message to those you met at the event is a smart move. It reinforces the memory of their face and name while opening a line of communication for future interactions. Keep it short and sweet, expressing gratitude for the meeting and, if possible, referencing specific points from your conversation. By implementing these strategies, you can make your networking experiences more enjoyable and effective. Remember, building personal connections can lead to incredible opportunities in both your professional and personal life.💚 Have some tips of your own for making networking more personable? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's learn and grow together. 💪

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