Making Yourself Memorable

Source: CPA Trendlines

The following are excerpts from a December 2, 2009, blog post by Rick Telberg, reproduced with permission.

By following the guidelines below, you'll not only be more memorable, but you'll get more cooperation with co-workers and get more clients:

1. Ask them for their opinions.
2. Be able to speak on a variety of subjects. Keep abreast of current events.
3. Be enthusiastic about things and life to others. People like being around people in good spirits. They will gravitate to those who are upbeat, positive and cheerful.
4. Be interested, not just interesting.
5. Be tolerant of people's beliefs if they are different from yours.
6. Be yourself. Enjoy the conversation.
7. Compliment others about what they are wearing, doing, or saying, but be sincere. Appreciate to be appreciated.
8. Display your sense of humor. People remember humor six times longer than regular conversation plus they will gravitate to you.
9. Don't interrupt. Sensitivity, rapport and commitment are all killed when you interrupt others.
10. Give them more than they expect. In other words, under-promise and over-deliver.
11. Have positive body language. Use the SOFTEN technique to become more approachable, likeable and trustworthy. S=smile, O=open posture, F=forward lean, T=stay out of their territory, E=eye contact, N=nod to show understanding.
12. Introduce yourself to others. No matter where you are play the host. Be the first to say hello.
13. Invite people to join you for lunch, dinner and other social events.
14. Listen, Listen, Listen. You not only become more likeable, but you really start to understand the other person's wants, needs and desires.
15. Make an extra effort to remember people's names. As Dale Carnegie says, "the sweetest sound to a person is their name."
16. Make everyone feel important by paying full attention to him or her. Make them feel like they are the only person in the room.
17. Show curiosity and interest in others.
18. Show others that you are enjoying your conversation with them. Don't yawn, look bored or have a case of roving eyes.
19. Speak concisely. Be able to tell people what you do in a few short sentences.
20. Speak their language. Talk in terms of their communication style. For example, if someone just wants the facts, don't go into a lot of stories and anecdotes.
21. Use eye contact and smile upon meeting someone. The best way to build rapport is through eye contact.

To read the entire post, click here.

From CPA Trendlines, http://cpatrendlines.com, December 2, 2009, "Networking Tips: 21 Ways to Be More Memorable."