Tuesday’s Tip: Introducing Yourself In Networking Situations

In a networking environment, we may meet 20 people in one night. My question to you is: Did you impress those 20 people to the degree that they would remember you a month later? If most of us answer that honestly, we would fail. Most of us would say that they would remember my face if seen again, but almost all of us would not be able to remember the name nor the career that we are passionate about. It is critical that people remember you down the road, otherwise they are unable to help you. So how do you make an introduction that is remembered? If you don't have a Michael Jordon "6 Championship Rings" story to tell them, then you'll have to do it with your charm and wit. I suggest using the Forrest Gump Method of introducing yourself. Say, "Hi, my name is Tracy, Tracy Smith". This way you mention your name twice. You can even mention it 3 times by saying, "My name is Tracy, Tracy Smith. That's Tracy with a Y". And if you are wearing a name tag, point to your name while you are saying it. That is 4 total impressions of your name in their mind. And if you have a half way decent branding statement to follow that up with, you should have enough impressions for them to remember you when an opportunity is mentioned at a future event that they are attending.