Having studied what makes people and their propositions more memorable than others, I’ve come up with 7 principles that you can apply when attending networking events…
1. Create an emotional connection
Yes an obvious one. This is the art of rapport building. Aim to help people feel important, included and interesting. Then they’ll want to hear what you have to say.
2. Create associations
Whether you like it or not, people will put you in a box, when they meet you. So to help you become more memorable (and win more referrals) think carefully about these boxes. Mention, the people you help, painful problems you solve and value you create.
3. Ensure understanding
People will only remember what you do if they understand it. Again sounds obvious. But if you’re selling something abstract, this isn’t always easier said than done.
So keep your language as concrete as possible. Talk about specific people doing specific things that are easily recognisable. This is why I say, “You know how awful it is if someone glazes over when you’re talking? Well, I help professionals get better results when they speak about their business.”
4. Weave in the unusual or unexpected
If you can weave an element of the unexpected into examples that you give about how you help clients, it will be more memorable.
5. Tell stories
It’s no accident that all the great spiritual traditions have used stories to carry their messages through the generations. The example stories you create will illuminate your proposition sentence, helping the people you talk to “see what you mean.”
6. Use metaphors
These are the icing on the cake (ahem) in terms of making you memorable. Use them to illustrate your offer, your process or your positioning. You can draw on all kinds of things like nature, sport, technology, food and drink. Other form of word play – similes, alliteration work too.
7. Repetition
Beyond the face to face meeting, how are you going to remind that person that you exist? What can you give? How can you help? Consider: introductions, information and invitations to other events.
So that’s the theory. If you’d like some help putting them into practice – give me a call to discuss a coaching programme or workshop – 07855 105865
What do you think makes a person or their proposition memorable?