You know you’re unique. You know that you have a lot to offer. And when you meet people, you want to make the best possible first impression. What is the one thing you can do to ensure that people remember you?

Before I share with you this simple way to get people to remember you, I’d like to tell you a story.

An Atypical Workshop

Recently, I attended a workshop given by Strategic Coach, a very successful coaching business. It was a free “taste-test” kind of workshop, intended to introduce people to Strategic Coach and an overview of their coaching system.

The trainer, Stephanie Appel, made it a point to sit at the registration table. As the attendees came to the table to sign in, she would chat briefly with them. I didn’t realize she was our speaker for the day until I saw her walk to the front of the room and start her presentation.

We were encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation. When I raised my hand, she quickly took notice and then said, “Yes, Mary Rose, what’s your question?”

I remembered feeling slightly surprised that she knew my name and used it confidently. I then remembered that she was at the registration table and likely had studied the names of the attendees and then when she met them, applied a memory trick to remember their name.

What’s In a Name?

If you want people to remember you, you first must make them feel memorable.

A person’s name means everything to them. Think of how often people donate great sums of money to museums, sporting complexes, library collections – just to perpetuate their name. It’s that important to people to be remembered.

Using someone’s name in a conversation personalizes it. It tells the other person that you see them as an individual. The very act of using someone’s name in a conversation demonstrates that you see them, period.

Do you have any idea how many people go throughout their day, wondering if anyone really notices them? And how many toil away in an office without the higher-ups ever noticing them, let alone call them by their name?

Can you imagine what a difference it would make in that person’s life if the CEO greeted them by name?

My Father’s Influence

My father was a successful manufacturer’s sales rep. I’ve learned many lessons from him, but one of the more important ones was learning how to be remembered. My father trained his mind to remember people by word association.

For instance, if a person’s name was Jack Sugarman, he’d envision a car jack next to bags of sugar stacked in the form of a man. Or something else just as silly. The sillier, the better. These types of word associations would help anchor a person’s name within his memory.

To this day, I remember that a student’s wife was named Sandy. I would remember his name easily since he was in my class but would struggle to remember his wife’s name. Finally, I hauled out the “silly exercise” for remembering a name and envisioned her on a sandy beach.

To this day, I remember her but now forgot her husband’s name! It really works.

Why Don’t People Remember Names?

Most people don’t take the time to try to remember people’s names because they say they’re too busy. In our shortened attention span world, it seems too much to expect people to take the time and energy needed to concentrate, repeat, and fix names indelibly in their minds.

Some think that it’s a small thing to remember someone’s name. No big deal. They think there are other things that are more important to remember. (Like a Klout score…) But they’re wrong.

People respond very positively when you remember their name. Although it might take a little more time and practice to do it, it’s well worth it. It is well worth it to not only remember their name, but small details about their life. Make an effort to remember where a person works, whether they’re married or not and have children. And if you can get them to talk about a personal hobby, even better.

When you discipline yourself to do this, the results are extraordinary.

Open Doors You Never Knew Existed

When you start to use people’s names on a regular basis, and learn how to correctly pronounce their name, doors will open that you never knew existed.

People will try to do extra nice things for you. They’ll remember you because you remembered them. They’ll make an exception for you. They’ll introduce you to someone you need to know. They’ll think of you when they need your product or service. They’ll be happy when they see you come into a room.

An Extra Touch

Whenever you meet someone with an unusual name, tell him or her how beautiful it is. I’ve done this often and I always love seeing how it makes a person smile. I especially like to do it for those who are cashiers. They truly are the “nameless, faceless” people who wait on us each day – at the grocery store, a fast-food restaurant, a coffee shop, etc.

They all have name badges.

The next time you meet such a hard-worker, look at their name and then say, “Hello, Sasha, how are you doing today?” Again, you’ll be amazed by the response. The person usually smiles and returns the courtesy of asking how you’re doing. Realize that you just made her day a little brighter.

There’s a business adage that says if you want to learn if a person has integrity, watch how he or she treats people who can’t do anything for them.

I’ll take it one step further. Watch if such a person calls a waiter or waitress by their first name. If they’ve treated them kindly, that’s a good thing. But if they take the extra step to call them by their name, you know you’re dealing with someone who really cares.

I’d be working hard to get their business.

A Small Caveat

When using someone’s name, don’t overdo it because it sounds insincere and makes you look like you’re trying too hard. I’ve had car salesmen who’ve have done it and it can quickly feel a little creepy.

When you first see someone, it’s good to open the conversation by greeting them by name. And then follow it up by asking how they’re doing or how they’ve been enjoying their hobby (or kids, or if they’ve done anything special with their spouse). And then occasionally interject their name in the conversation for emphasis or to communicate that you’ve heard them.

Remember, a person’s name is the sweetest sound to them. Use it wisely.